the joy of less a minimalist living guide how to declutter francine jay

[...]... be a minimalist in a mass media world Advertisers constantly bombard us with the message that material accumulation is the measure of success They exploit the fact that it’s a lot easier to buy status than to earn it How many times have you heard that “more is better,” “fake it ‘til you make it,” or “clothes make the man?” They tell us that more stuff means more happiness, when in fact, more stuff often... drag around two or three heavy suitcases when you’re on vacation You’ve anticipated the trip for ages, and when you disembark from your plane you can’t wait to explore the sights Not so fast—first you have to wait (and wait and wait) for your bags to appear on the luggage carousel Next, you need to haul them through the airport You might as well head to the taxi stand, as maneuvering them on the subway... the last Oh no, here we go again… We never seem to have enough time in our days—perhaps our stuff is what’s to blame How many precious hours have we wasted running to the dry cleaners, how many Saturdays have been sacrificed to oil changes or car repairs, how many days off have been spent fixing or maintaining our things (or waiting for a technician to make a service call)? How often have we agonized... (especially compared to Third World accommodations) However, aspirational marketing decrees that we “need” a master suite, bedrooms for each child, his-and-her bathrooms, and kitchens with professional grade appliances; otherwise, we haven’t quite “made it.” Square footage becomes a status symbol; and naturally, it takes many more sofas, chairs, tables, knickknacks, and other stuff to outfit a larger... possession, but also a load of responsibility We have to make sure we clean it regularly, as dust and dirt may inhibit its function and its lifespan We have to keep it out of reach of the kids and pets We have to use extra caution when we use it ourselves, so that we don’t break or ruin or stain it Sound crazy? How many times have you parked a new car at the far end of a parking lot, or had your day ruined... future generations We’ll look at the true impact of our consumer choices, examining both the human and environmental toll of the things we buy; and learn the far-reaching benefits of living lightly and gracefully on the Earth The best part: we’ll discover how saving space in our closets, and saving the world, go hand in hand Ready to sweep away the clutter once and for all? Just turn the page for your... surroundings—as evidenced from Paleolithic cave paintings to the pictures hanging over our sofas Aesthetic appreciation is an important part of our identities, and should not be denied The brilliant glaze on a beautiful vase, or sleek lines of a modernist chair, may bring a deep and joyful satisfaction to our souls; therefore, such items have every right to be part of our lives The caveat: they must be... by the crowds awaiting their luggage You then jump on the subway, catch a bus, or start walking in the direction of your hotel Along the way, you experience all the sights, sounds, and smells of a foreign city, with the time and energy to savor it all You’re mobile, flexible, and free as a bird—able to tote your bag to museums and tourist sites, and stash it in a locker when need be In contrast to the. .. travels the world, attends cocktail parties, or plays in a rock band We may be reluctant to admit it, but we likely acquired many of our possessions to project a certain image Take automobiles, for example We can satisfy our need for transportation with a simple car that gets us from Point A to Point B Why then, would we pay double (or even triple) the price for a “luxury” car? Because automakers pay... leather The insurance business flourishes on the chance that our cars, jewelry, or art might be damaged or stolen Locksmiths, alarm companies, and safe manufacturers promise to protect our things from theft Repairmen are standing by to fix our stuff when it breaks, and movers are ready to gather it all up and schlep it someplace else With all the time, money, and energy it demands, we may start to . a meat-and-potatoes to a Mediterranean diet. Developing a minimalist mindset will transform the way we make decisions about the stuff we have, and the stuff we bring into our lives. Instead of. class="bi x0 y0 w1 h0" alt=""