Comments on: Minimalist Philosophy: To Walk Away, Empty-Handed

By: CJ

CJ — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:15:24 +0000

I’m totally with you. Attached though I am to various things (although less so than I used to be), I have recently got pets and I having them at this stage in my journey to becoming more minimalist has really hit home to me how few other things are important. As long as they and my husband are safe, I’m happy. I’ve got rid of most of my sentimental keepsakes, and the remainder I wouldn’t miss much if it got destroyed (aside from one childhood cuddly toy which I confess I am irrevocably attached to). The only other stuff I would be upset about losing in a disaster would be important documents (purely because of the hassle of replacing it all – I really need to digitise it all!), and useful stuff that is expensive to replace (but I guess that would all be insured anyway). I would be upset if my house was damaged,because we spent a lot of time and effort renovating it, but it’s not the most important thing.

By: Jo Barrett

Jo Barrett — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 09:48:14 +0000

I could walk away from it all with not one ounce of hesitation- as long as I had my son & my two dogs.

By: Leeyee

Leeyee — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 03:41:30 +0000

Thanks for sharing Walden’s quote. It has recalled a special conversation I had with best friend of mine in Banyan Tree Rooftop Bar in Bangkok 4 years ago. I have forgotten about it and stopped pursuing minimalism, getting lost in the ‘me-too’ money-power chasing world. I am glad that I have come across your blog today which has delighted my day;)

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Sat, 06 Aug 2011 22:28:13 +0000

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Sat, 30 Apr 2011 18:06:38 +0000

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By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 18:08:47 +0000

I have tried to keep life simple and not buy a lot of junk, but I do save up for quality products that cost a lot of money. But like you said, I am now more liking to take these possessions with me throughout my entire life, because they hold value in my life. it is those quality items that we have saved for and search for that would be difficult to let go of.

By: Pearl

Pearl — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 17:44:00 +0000

Things I must take with me: cat (Jack), grandmother’s china doll, computer “sticks,” iPod, nook, folder of photos of family/friends/students, map, compass. And cords and batteries for above.

Ah, electronic devices require batteries, cords, outlets…

But what if there is no more digitizing/electricity/outlets?

Then 5 books (To Kill A Mockingbird, Dante’s Inferno, Shakespeare’s Works, Farenheit 451, and something comic… not sure what but laughter would be necessary), folder of photos, doll, Jack… map. Matches, candles, batteries, flashlight. Blank journals and a box of pens, pencils. Pencil sharpener. Pastels.

Kibble. For Jack.

In the Bush years, I used to have a mental checklist, so I could throw Jack and books into car and head for Canada. Cans of food not requriing heating/cooking, water, blankets, instant coffee, cash, maps. Not quite paranoid but…

By: slow simple conscious

slow simple conscious — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 09:16:07 +0000

I think it is interesting that you mention ‘good enough’ here. I can definitely see where you are coming from, it helps prevent attachment to things and the like, which obviously has advantages. but I am still attracted to minimalism as a way of having better things than you could have before, having one very good thing rather than several mediocre.
i do think i should digitise my letters and bits. not sure i could get rid of them yet, certainly not all of them. but one of my summer projects is definitely choosing my favourite bits to keep and making a scrap book.
thanks for the thought provoking topic

By: Cecilia

Cecilia — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 07:37:44 +0000

I have been pondering this today and I realised that I could not walk away empty handed without anxiety. I am an artist and so I have stacks of artwork that I have done which is irreplaceable, along with a large supply of tools and materials for art. I guess I need to just focus on enjoying these things in the here and now, just in case a catastrophe does ever take them from me!

By: twila

twila — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 02:27:21 +0000

It is always so uplifting to read the things that you write ,just reading seems to free me .I could easily walk away from everything but a family photo album .I must do something about that ,maybe its time to give the children their photos