I have an admission to make. I’m still holding on to way too much stuff. Sure, I call myself a moderate minimalist. I do pay attention to how much I buy. But there are a couple areas in my life where I still have work to do: cars, shoes, and guitars.
I go through my stuff three or four times a year. I let go of the majority of the things I no longer need or use. But I have some weaknesses and an admission to make: There are still a few things I can’t seem to let go of… yet.
My First Admission Of Guilt: Cars
Okay, I have two vehicles for practical reasons. I own a VW Golf TDI and a Ford Ranger. I use the TDI for long trips and daily driving. I use the truck for home projects like landscaping and garbage runs. It’s one of the downsides of owning a home.
My goal is to get the majority of the home projects: painting, landscaping, etc., done in the next couple of years. Then I’ll consider cutting back to one vehicle again.
My Second Admission Of Guilt: Shoes… And Hats
I’m not a guy who collects shoes, but I like a little variety. I do a variety of activities. I’m on my feet a lot as a teacher. I like to rotate a few pair of comfortable shoes for work. I hike. I have one pair of hiking boots. They come in handy in the winter, too. I run. A good pair of running shoes is a necessity. I have an older pair of boots for working in the yard.
I still hold onto a pair of cowboy boots that I bought more than 25 years ago and a pair of old Converse All Stars. Add a pair of flip-flops, slippers, and minimalist running shoes and you can see that I have a problem.
Here’s the good news: The last few times I’ve purchased a new pair of shoes, I’ve given two pair away. I envision a time when I can live a lifestyle that will allow me to downsize to just two or three pair. Then I won’t have to make these kinds of admissions.
As for hats, I’m bald. Give me a break. I still own about half a dozen hats.
My Third Admission Of Guilt: Guitars
Okay, so it’s more than guitars. It’s musical instruments in general. But I own three guitars. I’ve cut my musical instrument collection in half over the last few years. Still, I’d like to cut back even more.
Back when I lived in a trailer, I owned one guitar. Now I own about 10 instruments: guitars, amplifiers, mandolin, ukulele, piano, cajon, and other various musical toys. There are a few advantages to owning less musical instruments. I’ll save space. I’ll own less and become a stronger voice for the philosophy of minimalism. But most of all, owning a single instrument would force me to focus upon and master that one instrument.
Do You Have An Admission To Make?
I might still be guilty of holding onto more than I need in some areas. But I’m conscious of the problem. I sell and give things away regularly. Sooner or later, I’ll let go of my extra cars, shoes, and guitars, too. I’ve made the admission, next I’ll take action.
What about you? Do you have some things you may not really need? Do an inventory. Be honest with yourself. Try purging a few things over the next few weeks. You may not let go of everything in one fell swoop, but the minimalist lifestyle tends to happen a little bit a time. It’s that simple.
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