The freedom of having nothing
Posted on by Forest in General, Minimalism
I remember as a kid always wishing that I had more stuff. I wanted each and every Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle figure, I wanted more pocket money so I could buy more candy, more die-cast cars, more this and more that. I grew up in a world where having it all was part of the dream.
Into my late teens and early adulthood that continued. I wanted to work hard so I could buy a house, get a good car, have a top of the range suit, the gold cufflinks for the once in 4 year event, every DVD for every movie I ever enjoyed or anyone I knew had enjoyed. Finally when I had everything I would be able to sit down surrounded by all my stuff whispering to myself, “Forest, you made it bud, you really made it”.
Oh MY, things have changed! Yesterday I packed up yet again and left my home in Auckland to crash at friends before a 6-week trip back to the UK. I’ll be returning back to Auckland in September and then heading off travelling the country. Below you can see ALL my stuff and when I return I hope to have even less and even smaller bags.
Minimizing my possessions has been gradual. It started when I first left the UK for Canada 5 years ago. At that point, I had belongings all over the place with parents, friends and everywhere. Each visit back to the UK has seen me go through that stuff, and the stuff I carry with me, and purge it either throwing away, selling, or giving it to charity. Apart from what you see above, all I own are a couple of folders and a box of stuff from my childhood which lives in my mothers attic where it will likely gather dust for all eternity.
We all grow attached to our stuff and been through the pain of parting ways with inanimate objects. However, I think the freedoms that come from owning practically nothing far outweigh the pros of having tons of stuff.
Knowing that within a few hours I can be back on the road with all my belongings is comforting to me. It gives a clear mind, far less stress and worry.
More possessions lead to more things to think about. You need to store them safely, worry about where you left them and make sure you keep everything in prime condition.
Say you have every kind of tool in your shed, you have to keep them all rust free, worry about someone breaking in to the shed, worry about finding the right tool when you may actually need it for that one job. If you have 10 pairs of shoes you need to keep them stashed away to keep the hallway from getting cluttered. Having two cars can lead to to having to insure and service them both each and every year.
Living in a world of stuff keeps your mind believing you need to acquire more, upgrade and change constantly.
I think the late great George Carlin really caught the needless stress we all have about stuff in his famous sketch about “STUFF”
I admit that I am still attached to the little amount of things I own. I’m working hard detaching myself from objects and putting my mental attachments into experiences and people. The things that really matter, to me at least.
It is hard to break our addiction to the things we own and aspirations to own more things as the world we live in preaches that it is related to success. I see it differently and believe that choosing your stuff wisely is far more important.
Probably the most important of my stuff is the computer I am writing on now. It allows me to live my life of freedom of location, keep in contact with friends and family, and acts as an entertainment hub. My phone has replaced my bulky camera, which enables me to store digital memories that can be stored and accessed forever. Asides from a pair of shoes, a pair of glasses and basic clothing, I no longer feel like I actually need anything and that is liberating.
I believe we are all capable of downsizing, simplifying and becoming less attached to things. My post How To Simplify Your Life goes into more detail on how you can begin to minimize.
Of course, you may think I am nuts and have it all totally wrong but that’s cool. We all need to follow the path we believe is right.
I look forward to any thoughts, advice or comments you have.
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30 Responses to “The freedom of having nothing”
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Forest: Absolutely agree Larry. In fact cost is the last t...
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Thomas - Your Daily Finance: I say look at your situation very carefully. Some...
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krantcents: I realize this a financial blog, but cost is the l...
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Barb
11. Jul, 2012
I started down sizing 5 yrs ago. Hanging on to things and aquiring things is a hard habit to break. But, I’m not where I want to be but better off than I was 5 yrs ago. I is a liberating feeling!
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Forest
11. Jul, 2012
I couldn’t agree more Barb.
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Ruth P
11. Jul, 2012
I have been living out of a relatively small bag for 6 months and doing fine. I have loads of stuff stored at my parents’, and I can’t even remember what half of it is! I know I’m going to get rid of a lot of it when I go back, but I bet I’ll still be attached to lots of it for no reason. It’s really great just having a small bag and being able to pack really quickly!
Ruth P recently posted..6 Lessons Learned From 6 Months Of Location Independence
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Forest
12. Jul, 2012
Hey Ruth, it’s crazy how much stuff you realise you just don’t need once you are away from it for a while.
Forest recently posted..The freedom of having nothing
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krantcents
11. Jul, 2012
I took home more stuff from just my classroom than can be packed in a suitcase. Maybe I need to go paperless! Unfortunately, I need books and other material. I walked away with 2 storage boxes, a bag and about 6 posters.
krantcents recently posted..Forget Everything Else, Marry for Money
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Forest
12. Jul, 2012
Hey Larry, Lara (my partner) actually had this problem and still has when it comes to academic books. We are looking into acquiring digital versions and maybe picking up an ereader, none of them are good enough for academic books and pdfs yet (need good note taking capabilities, easy landscape and portrait and good zoom options) but they are getting there. Still, in the meantime they can be stored on the computer.
Things are becoming more able to be digital so there is hope for people in or working at school yet!
Forest recently posted..The freedom of having nothing
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Practical Parsimony
11. Jul, 2012
I always loved George Carlin talking aout stuff, even as I worked to acquire my own stuff. I like my books and all my stuff. I am by no means a minimalist. It is not me. I did purge 10 books each day until I had gotten rid of 800 books–sold, given awy to others, donated to thrift shop. Then, each book I owned had it’s own piece of real estate on one of my seven bookcases. I am guessing I have 2000 books left and most are having to be boxed up. I miss them because I cannot find what I want to reference on the internet!
Do you realze you are able to live as you do because others have stuff that you are allowed to use? Even Thoreau lived as he did only because of the generosity and graciousness of others.
I don’t feel liberated when I get rid of things. Old papers and junk aside, I love my things. They make me feel comfortalble. I revel in sense of place, my own place, my own spot of earth. But, we all don’t find pleasure in the same things, same ideologies.
I don’t think you are nuts or wrong!
Practical Parsimony recently posted..Synchronicity and Derailing
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Forest
12. Jul, 2012
Books are tough to get rid of and if I had a permanent space I would have many. I don’t see them as the same kind of clutter as say a sandwich toaster that gets left in the back of the cupboard! Books are knowledge and shared experience. Going forward this will be stored more and more as digital objects, the kids are already used to this!
Minimising isn’t always about getting rid of everything and you can still own a lot of stuff and be minimal if all that stuff is genuinely important. Thinking over each choice of ownership means that everything you have adds to your life.
I do certainly encounter generosity and use of others stuff! Lara and I will be Wwoofing soon and in Sept we will be staying and working at an animal sanctuary. Whilst looking after donkey’s, mini pigs, a horse, a bull, hedgehogs, a dog and some native birds we will be staying in a beautiful lodge with a hot pool, gym equipment and more! We are blessed with good luck on our travels.
Our friends here in Auckland lent us bedding and provided a lift to many places saving us the bus rides and purchasing that can come with not owning anything. I have been thinking I need to write a post about the wasteful side of owning nothing too to make sure I strike a realistic balance on the blog.
Thanks for the thoughtful comment as always.
Forest recently posted..The freedom of having nothing
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Brian
12. Jul, 2012
I always find it interesting how people are OK spending a bunch of money to acquire crap, but always think spending on experiences it ‘too expensive’. I personally would rather have memories than stuff I have to haul around with me.
Enjoy your travels!
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Forest
12. Jul, 2012
I absolutely agree. I’m very frugal when it comes to objects. It took me 3 years to finally buy an iPhone which has been very useful for me and my business. I have clothing that is over 10 years old but don’t seem to mind spending a bulk of money on a meal with friends or to go to an amazing place, just as an example.
Forest recently posted..The freedom of having nothing
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Lance @ Money Life and More
12. Jul, 2012
I try to minimize the amount of junk we have but enjoy the conveniences of a lot of the things we have. We do have a lot less than most people though so I’m glad of that.
Lance @ Money Life and More recently posted..Budget Basics: Know Your Income and Expenses
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Forest
13. Jul, 2012
I think that is perfect, I admit I am a little extreme!
Forest recently posted..The freedom of having nothing
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Practical Parsimony
13. Jul, 2012
I have clothing that is 30 years old that I still wear. It is not about how new clothing is. It is about classic styles, quality, and taking care of clothes. Some of these articles of clothing I made myself.
People who bought Nehru jackets were in style, but that was a fad, something that a guy could only wear to a costume party a few years later. Those Ben Casey shirts were cool, but I was in high school and had to have one. You probably have no idea what I am talking about…lol.
Practical Parsimony recently posted..Synchronicity and Derailing
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Forest
13. Jul, 2012
Ha ha, I don’t have a lot of clue to be honest! My clothing is usually very basic and doesn’t age too easily
. I’m only 30!
Forest recently posted..The freedom of having nothing
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Practical Parsimony
14. Jul, 2012
Believe me, both styles–Nehru suits and Ben Casey shirts are not anything anyone misses now. Gee, all three of my children are older than you. I did not realzie you were that young. I don’t know how old I thought you were, but older than 30.
One reason you have the freedom to have nothing and travel is that you were smart and did not start making babies at 18. My 37-yr-old daughter has not married yet. Good for her. I don’t regret my decision to marry and have a child at 22, and I did not resent it then. Back then, I did not have all the equipment parents today have, but it was lots of stuff, anyway. I do not miss one bit of it…lol.
Practical Parsimony recently posted..Free Chik-fil-A Today
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Forest
23. Jul, 2012
Oh for sure, babies change EVERYTHING! My siblings all have multiple children and are very tied down. We live much longer these days so I don’t think you have to rush kids.
At this stage in life I (or my partner) do not want children. We have decided that if that ever changes though we will adopt but that will not likely be for some time.
Forest recently posted..Faster, stronger, richer, lighter in 6-weeks – My plan!
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Budget & the Beach
13. Jul, 2012
I’m somewhere smack dab in the middle. I do have “stuff” I cherish and like, and would like to not live without, but I hate clutter and I always try to get rid of things I’m not longer using.
Budget & the Beach recently posted..The Sunny Side (of the financial struggle)
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Forest
13. Jul, 2012
I think just keeping an eye on things is perfect. If something is causing clutter it is good to question it rather than stuffing it away in a cupboard.
Forest recently posted..The freedom of having nothing
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Julie @ Freedom 48
15. Jul, 2012
I couldn’t agree more. I find having minimal “stuff” helps me keep a clear mind, an organized house and truly reduces your day-to-day stress. When I think of it, the only valuable possessions I have are my journals and photographs.
Experiences are infinitely more valuable than stuff.
Julie @ Freedom 48 recently posted..Easy & Cheap Summer Date Ideas!
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Forest
15. Jul, 2012
That’s awesome! It takes a while to get there but is liberating when you do.
Forest recently posted..The freedom of having nothing
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Jon Rhodes
16. Jul, 2012
My sister recently got her cellar flooded and it damaged everything in there. It was a real blessing! Now she is forced to throw everything away in there. If stuff has been in storage for years,then you can’t really need them that bad.
Jon Rhodes recently posted..Comment on 10 Ways To Avoid Computer Eye Damage by Shilpan
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Forest
16. Jul, 2012
Hey Jon, it’s really sad that happened because I am sure some important stuff got ruined but it’s true that she’ll realise much of it was never needed!
Forest recently posted..The freedom of having nothing
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Amy Turner
18. Jul, 2012
Hi there,
I envy you the freedom you enjoy now. I hope I could be like this in the near future. I have begun to minimize stocking and storing stuff by giving more to the calamity victims and charities. No more hoarding, but it still is a process. Wish me luck?
Amy Turner recently posted..Best Credit Card for Car Rental Insurance
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Forest
23. Jul, 2012
Amy, it doesn’t sound like envy is needed and you are making the right path for yourself! That’s admirable to be thinking of others whilst pursuing your direction in life.
Forest recently posted..Faster, stronger, richer, lighter in 6-weeks – My plan!
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Kevin Mzansi
19. Jul, 2012
I don’t have a lot of stuff, except that I always have had a book problem, just like Lara…I always feel that one day I’m going to need some of all those thick, heavy academic books to look stuff up in…
Kevin Mzansi recently posted..Always remember what is important
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Forest
23. Jul, 2012
Kevin, books are terribly hard! So much useful information and actually much that is hard to get outside of those texts. One day it’ll all be digitally accessible but it isn’t quite there yet with academic text.
Forest recently posted..Faster, stronger, richer, lighter in 6-weeks – My plan!
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Financial Samurai
23. Jul, 2012
I think it is totally awesome to minimalize! It’s like taking the bus around the city and not having to worry about parking tickets, someone keying or stealing my car, etc. Absolutely freeing!
I plan to continue to reduce. Wonderful!
Financial Samurai recently posted..How The Rich And Powerful Become More Rich And Powerful
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Forest
24. Jul, 2012
I don’t have a car but I do get worried when friends drive me that something bad is going to happen to their vehicle and because they were helping me out I would feel partly responsible, ha ha! Much prefer public transport if it is decent enough.
Forest recently posted..Faster, stronger, richer, lighter in 6-weeks – My plan!
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Patricia
06. Jan, 2013
Uncluttering your home unclutters your mind. Life is very simple when you realize how much easier it is to live with less. My friend and I go shopping, filling the cart up, but the fun part is un-shopping…..good exercise too; we usually end up putting most everything back. Thanks for this enlightening article.
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Forest
12. Jan, 2013
Absolutely patricia.
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