#37. Discarding memorabilia is not the same as discarding memories. ( see #55)
This is what Tatsuya Nakazaki wrote in his book Motanai otoko (The Man Who Doesn't Possess): "I do not think there is any relationship between our past and photographs, records, and diaries. Even if we were to throw away photos and records that are filled with memorable moments, the past continue to exist in our memories. I do not think it is such a big deal to throw away objects; it is not as if we are throwing away our past. If e
#38. Our biggest items trigger chain reactions.
Let us say we switched from having one smartphone to two. We should realize that we have not just added a single smartphone to our lives. We might get a case for the new smartphone, put a protection sheet of film over it, buy a power charger, covers for the earphone jack, and of course a strap. Before you know it, we have accumulated five new items. Things tend to bring in more things.
Conversely, we will be able to get rid of a lot of items at once if we dispose of the initial source.
If we work up the courage to get rid of our biggest possessions, there is a big payoff.
#39. Our homes are not museum, they do not need collections.
#40. Be social, be a borrower.
I was shocked when I read in Mai Yururi's There's Nothing in My House, that she had thrown away her high school yearbook. I could not help thinking that she really must have been true to her nickname, "Weido Obsessed with Throwing Things Away" to be able to throw away something irreplaceable like that school yearbook. But after a while, it occured to me that since most people usually hang on to their yearbooks, Yururi had simply parted with an item that hundreds of her classmates still had -- it was not unique or irreplaceable at all.
The desire to hold on to things can also be seen as a desire to avoid troubling someone else for anything. But all this does is shut you off from the world. If you should suddenly have a desperate urge to see your old school yearbook, all you have to do is contact one of your old friends and ask them to let you see it. Though you might feel like you're bothering them, in reality they will probably welcome the chance to spend some time together reminiscing. Anyone who gives you the cold shoulder for a nostalgic request like that is not really a friend. As long as you remember to express your feelings of gratitude, you are not going to be a nuisance at all.If anything, your relationships will only deepen.
#41. Rent what can be rented.
#42. Social media can boost your minimizing motivation.
#43. What if you started from scratch?
#44. Say "see you later" before you say goodbye.
When you are not sure if you really want to part with something, try stowing it away for a while. A technique that minimalists often use is to gather all the things they're considering getting rid of and place them in a box or in the closet. The trick is to tuck the items away i a place where they do not usually belong. They can even be placed in a garbage bag, so that they are on standby for disposal. Even though they are sitting in garbage bag, it does not mean that you have to actually throw them away quite yet.
A week or a month goes by ― the time will depend on the type of items ― and if you have managed just fine without them, there is your answer: they are not necessary for you. If a need arises for some of the items during that period, you do not have to throw those away.
By saying "See you later," you put some distance between you and your possessions, which will allow you to think about their true meaning to you. It is kind of funny how your relationships with your things can be a bit like relationships with people.
Click here to read the details.
Tips #44 to #55, click here to continue
This is what Tatsuya Nakazaki wrote in his book Motanai otoko (The Man Who Doesn't Possess): "I do not think there is any relationship between our past and photographs, records, and diaries. Even if we were to throw away photos and records that are filled with memorable moments, the past continue to exist in our memories. I do not think it is such a big deal to throw away objects; it is not as if we are throwing away our past. If e
#38. Our biggest items trigger chain reactions.
Let us say we switched from having one smartphone to two. We should realize that we have not just added a single smartphone to our lives. We might get a case for the new smartphone, put a protection sheet of film over it, buy a power charger, covers for the earphone jack, and of course a strap. Before you know it, we have accumulated five new items. Things tend to bring in more things.
Conversely, we will be able to get rid of a lot of items at once if we dispose of the initial source.
If we work up the courage to get rid of our biggest possessions, there is a big payoff.
#39. Our homes are not museum, they do not need collections.
#40. Be social, be a borrower.
I was shocked when I read in Mai Yururi's There's Nothing in My House, that she had thrown away her high school yearbook. I could not help thinking that she really must have been true to her nickname, "Weido Obsessed with Throwing Things Away" to be able to throw away something irreplaceable like that school yearbook. But after a while, it occured to me that since most people usually hang on to their yearbooks, Yururi had simply parted with an item that hundreds of her classmates still had -- it was not unique or irreplaceable at all.
The desire to hold on to things can also be seen as a desire to avoid troubling someone else for anything. But all this does is shut you off from the world. If you should suddenly have a desperate urge to see your old school yearbook, all you have to do is contact one of your old friends and ask them to let you see it. Though you might feel like you're bothering them, in reality they will probably welcome the chance to spend some time together reminiscing. Anyone who gives you the cold shoulder for a nostalgic request like that is not really a friend. As long as you remember to express your feelings of gratitude, you are not going to be a nuisance at all.If anything, your relationships will only deepen.
#41. Rent what can be rented.
#42. Social media can boost your minimizing motivation.
#43. What if you started from scratch?
#44. Say "see you later" before you say goodbye.
When you are not sure if you really want to part with something, try stowing it away for a while. A technique that minimalists often use is to gather all the things they're considering getting rid of and place them in a box or in the closet. The trick is to tuck the items away i a place where they do not usually belong. They can even be placed in a garbage bag, so that they are on standby for disposal. Even though they are sitting in garbage bag, it does not mean that you have to actually throw them away quite yet.
A week or a month goes by ― the time will depend on the type of items ― and if you have managed just fine without them, there is your answer: they are not necessary for you. If a need arises for some of the items during that period, you do not have to throw those away.
By saying "See you later," you put some distance between you and your possessions, which will allow you to think about their true meaning to you. It is kind of funny how your relationships with your things can be a bit like relationships with people.
Click here to read the details.
Tips #44 to #55, click here to continue
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