The Next Minimalist

to simplicity and beyond

Shoe Away!

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Getting rid of my shoes was the official starting point of my minimalism journey. As far as I can recall, I’ve got 17 pairs of footwear at that time. It was honestly difficult to let go of them. I remembered so many memories with them and even those days I decided to purchase them. I know I’m that sentimental kind of person. Like I mentioned in my previous post, being sentimental was the first challenge I had to overcome when I adapted this minimalist lifestyle. But I tried my best to push through the main goal- to get rid of my shoes.

The second challenge I encountered during the process was my tendency to keep material things believing that there will come a time that they’ll be useful. I continued…but the challenge just keeps on popping out. I realize I was just basically afraid to not have enough. It’s strange because I’ve never actually gone without much of anything. But the fact that I’ve never really gone without doesn’t stop me from worrying about going without.

I slowly get rid off them by sorting based on its importance, how often I use each of them and by categorizing their type for different occasions.

It was an emotional roller coaster for me. I never thought of the process to be that difficult.

Right now, I am able to maintain 5-6 pairs of footwear.

  • 1 pair of leather shoes for work
  • 1 pair of flats/closed shoes or 1 pair of flats/sandals for casual days
  • 1 pair of white sneakers for all kind of look
  • 1 pair of rubber shoes for running and on the go days
  • 1 pair of high heeled sandals for formal events

More than the achievement to get rid of my shoes…through time, I learn that the challenge of being sentimental or should I say fear of losing and fear of not having enough was just all in my mind. Along the way, I started to meet people who didn’t share the same challenges I had—who seemed deeply content with themselves, with their efforts in a given day, their income, their possessions—that I realized there was a better way.

Then it appears to me that having fewer shoes is actually not a loss. More than the material things, having less is more—more time, more energy, more resources, with less effort. And that was the best feeling after all.

PS: In case you’re wondering, most of my shoes were already given to my cousins. Of course only for those who are willing to accept used ones =)

Discovering Minimalism

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It was about 3 years ago when I started to set up this blog site to document and share my minimalism journey. At that time, all I think about was just to have an organized space/room. I just want to organize my things that’s it. And so I always thought of having a lot of storage because of the things I own. Before, I usually like to collect photos/albums and make scrapbooks. I also have a lot of souvenir items both from my travels and from my friends. And the very common to most girls if not all, is having a lot of clothes in which I believe is not a problem if that works for you. But as for me, I would say that I’m a kind of sentimental person. I always make sure that I got remembrance from every events and occasion I’ve been to. Then I realize that me wanting to own a lot of storage is because of my interest also of collecting stuff. Then that became a cycle. I became a hoarder but I know I was happy at that time. I love the fact that anytime I can just browse my photo albums and scrapbooks with my friends to reminisce good old days. I also enjoyed the mix and matching of my clothes and even organizing my stuff. I love seeing them arranged and well-taken care off.

But there were lots of weekends when I actually do my home chores especially cleaning my room but I never felt that I finish my tasks. There were also many times when I cannot focus on what I want to do because I easily divert my attention to random things around me. There were even times when I couldn’t join the get together of my family and friends because I always thought that I have a lot of things to do at home. And I had this mindset that it’s okay not to do the laundry because I still have a lot of clothes to wear. And that all became a problem. I realize that the material things gave me bad hobbies. I became undisciplined, moody, and less focus. I realize that I spend too much time organizing my things and at that time I thought that doing so was a productive activity but I was wrong. It actually hinders me from doing those much more important tasks.

And so I know I have to do something with all my stuff. I started with my shoes…next were my clothes. I make sure to have a declutter session every month or every other week. But the process wasn’t easy. There were a lot of times when I declutter but there were also random window shopping’s turned into impulsive buying. So though I was able to let go some of my stuff but I was not aware enough that I slowly add up things. At that time, I know I was already starting the “minimalism” journey but wasn’t aware of the particular term. Then slowly I tried to be stricter when I do my decluttering sessions. As much as possible I only have the option to “keep” or “let go” a specific stuff. If it’s too difficult for me to decide, I have this purgatory space where I put those things and give a maximum of two weeks period…and if unused then they’re supposed to go. It’s either I give them away, donate, sell or dispose of.

With my continuous declutter sessions monthly, I have to say I am now reaping the benefits of living with less. I realize that there’s more productivity when you own less. You’ll get to focus more on your priorities…those that actually matters…what are essential and meaningful…those things that are valuable to my life.

When I finally owned lesser things, it was the perfect time to create more space for what is more important. Surprisingly, along the process, I realize that there’s more to minimalism than just about getting rid of stuff. It has helped me achieve my goals and pursue activities that are more meaningful. For now, I’m still on a continuous work in progress…from time to time I do discover new learnings and ideas on how this kind of lifestyle works for me and others. More about the benefits of minimalism on my next posts.

For now, that would be all. Thanks for reading.

10 TAKEAWAYS FROM 2018

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The ups and downs of 2018 were almost unbearable but yas! I’m still here. Let me tell you that the last time I was in a group, we were asked to share what were our learnings this year and I think I’ve got a lot more in my mindt and so I made this Top 10 #TakeAwaysFrom2018 to spread inspiration. Feel free to use the hashtag if you wanna share yours too.

1) TAKE THE LEAP OF FAITH.

It was sometime during mid of year 2017 when I thought of doing something for my career/profession. I did consider as well doing something totally different from my current line of work. I didn’t exactly know what I want and all I ever know is that I want to achieve something. Generally, I do make decisions quite long but when goals are identified, whether it’d be an ultimate dream or something that is just given to me, I make sure that I get things done. The discernment stage passed and yes this 2018 I took the plunge with a brave heart. And I know from that time, I made the right decision.

2) COMMITMENT IS THE KEY.

“I will go for it when I’m finally ready” didn’t work. What was effective during the process was, “Nobody is 100% prepared”. I learned that what you only need is to identify your goal then commit to it and everything else will follow. My family has seen my worst this year. But then again, I’ve set my goal already, no turning back and I will finish the battle! I told my self.

3) SACRIFICE (period)

Deactivated social media accounts, not renewing my membership to a digital organization whom I am affiliated with before, declining invitations from friends and even to some of my family members. And those supposedly Saturday to Sunday rest days from my full-time job were turned to weekdays as well. Sacrificing was not an issue, after all, I’ve prepared a brave heart right from the very start and I know to myself that I can do it.

4) ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT FAILURE IS INEVITABLE. SO WHY NOT!

Then the start of everything. Failures welcomed me and so the boastful brave heart melted down. I was so down and I cried a lot. But thinking of the mantra, I need to fake my emotion. Surprisingly, it did work. Haha! And if there’s one thing I’ve learned in life, that is to confront my fears.

5) ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. NO ONE CAN PREDICT. SO HOLD ON.

There were many turning points that happened during this year. And I’d like to thank God for sending people who made the turning points worth it. I learn that it is not impossible to learn things you thought you never will. Most of the time, it’s only our attitude towards the situation that we need to change.

6) ENJOY AND HAVE FUN.

Build your support system during the process. Also, try to perform other activities especially those that you enjoy doing. Do not be too hard on yourself and to that goal. However, never ever forget about it. When you have a support system, you will fail together and cry together. Joke! But really, you know you’re not alone and that you will succeed together.

7) SOMETIMES, IT’S OKAY TO BE SELFISH.

Don’t be guilty if there are times that you only thought of yourself alone over everyone else. You’ve worked hard a lot so don’t deprive yourself especially when you are almost in the finish line. Take care of yourself. But honestly, this one is really difficult. It is always important to know your pacing and manage your energy well.

8) CREATE THAT DREAM FOR YOUR SELF NOT FOR OTHERS TO CREATE IT FOR YOU.

So what was I trying to accomplish? Why I did that? Growing up, I had this stigma that success is defined by something tangible like grand material things or a particular achievement you get from school or extracurricular activities. And without it, it would seem like you are a less kind of person. But as time goes by, I slowly understand that success may come in different forms. And that’s one thing I’d like to emphasize that at the end of the day it is how you treat people around you that matters. You may be recognized of a particular achievement but how you live with that achievement is more important. Indeed, achieving our goal is just a bonus. It is the process or the journey that will make everything worth it whether you’ve achieved or not the goal you’ve identified.

9) LET GO AND LET GOD.

If you know that you did everything that you can, let God do the rest. If you fail, then acknowledge it and continue with whatever you have at the moment. No matter how little the next step is, just move. Remember that at the end of the battle, those who never give up are the stronger ones. If you didn’t reach the goal, it means another thing. God is working for you. In my case, it took 5 consecutive years completing the Misa De Gallo every December to pray for something I dream for so long and a lot more of unsaid sacrifices believing that someday it will be granted. But I always end up the previous years not achieving it. This only means that God has already written your life. You will have your time and you’ll be surprised.

10) GO BACK TO WHY YOU STARTED.

Don’t ever forget that reaching your goal is just a bonus to whoever you are as a person. It is not something that would make you better than the others. It’s just one of the perks of life. You are still human. Always go back to the time you’re still praying for that goal.

11) BE THANKFUL. (Opss! This is 11 takeaways from 2018 rather)

Thank you so much to my family for understanding me. You had me at my worst. But you all chose not to break my heart. Haha! (that Pinoy movie line though). But really, to all of you who became part of my 2018, thank you so so much most especially for every prayer offered. I have been blessed and I pray that you too.

 

Grateful to you 2018,

TNM