So, one of the reasons for the big life change I've been going through comes from about a year ago when I realized a few things ...
1. I have owned all of the toys that I thought would be great fun to own. Don't get me wrong ... I love toys! I have enjoyed the hell out of most of the toys I've owned and have had great experiences trying all sorts of sports from boating to motorcycle racing to 4x4-ing to woodworking to just about anything! But, most of the time there was a huge commitment to owning these things that made me feel much more like the slave than the master. For every toy I possessed, some amount of free time was spent maintaining the toy or earning enough to be able to use it.
2. To me, a description of being middle class means owning a bunch of stuff and having to work hard to keep it, whereas, being rich means having the funds to own what you want, but, also having the funds to rent things when you want them and let others take care of the maintenance, upkeep and upgrading costs. Being rich means not being owned by your "stuff!"
So now, I'm loving the idea of not being owned by material possessions ... although, as I stated above, I still love toys. I have a sweet little computer (MacBook Air) and a number of bicycles, a great truck / camper combo and a few other toys ... but the thing that is really getting me excited ... is getting rid of more and more stuff!
After we get back to Colfax from Maui, I expect we will do a whirlwind job of packing up our residence and getting it ready to rent while we are in Asia this winter. It will be wonderful if it could be earning enough money to take care of the things that come up while we're traveling ($3K in plumber's bills this month so far from a rotten pipe) and keep us light, mobile, and free of being owned by "stuff!"
Peace.
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4 comments:
It actually takes a little discipline to change the thinking that comes with a materialistic society, but once you reach a certain point you realize how freeing it is to live without a lot of stuff cluttering up your mind.
I live quite simply now, but I have a storage unit full of stuff that is seriously the bane of my existence. (Long story as to why, let's just say that we had a rather large basement in a house that our family owned for 40+ years and our childhoods got preserved down there.)
The plus side is that I still have cool things like comic books, books, games, dolls and toys from my childhood to antiques and love letters that my Dad wrote to my Mom while in the war and old family photo albums. Not many people have this experience.
The down side is that I have to pay for this unit and I worry about it a lot...it still feels overwhelming to deal with it all. I was just there yesterday and every time I leave I love closing that garage door so I don't have to look at it anymore, ha ha. I still love my toys, and when I say toys I mean it literally--I'm like a big kid.
Ironically I have a toy on the way, a French Kitty, the first thing like that that I've bought in a loooong time. Maybe I will use it in a photo shoot then give it away, it was purchased at a good price. My inner child needed a fix but my grownup child doesn't need to hang on to it, right? ;) Therein lies the difference, being able to let go of things. What I do now is take pictures and if I need to revisit something I can that way.
Anyways, I wouldn't wish a storage unit on anyone and your idea of less is more is a good one that I continue to subscribe to and move toward. Good luck with your plan and if you like going through stuff, have I got something you need to see... ha ha.
When we get done our house ... we'll have to make a trip to come see the excitement that is your storage unit! I am intrigued by someone who has toys from their youth. I miss some of mine! :)
i totally agree.... great posting. we moved to this house in march and 3/4 of the "stuff" is still in the garage. how can we have had so much stuff we don't even need??
I love the idea of moving and leaving everything in boxes in the garage for the 1st year you're in the new location. Then ... anything still in a box at the end of the year goes to the Good Will for redistribution!
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