Navigating Minimalism After Divorce: A Personal Journey
Written on
Chapter 1: The Minimalist Dilemma
Am I merely a wannabe minimalist? I can't stand visual clutter, I have an aversion to fast fashion, and I avoid buying things just for the sake of it. My goal is to lead a simplified life—doesn't that make me a minimalist?
After ending my marriage, I moved out of our expansive 5,000-square-foot McMansion, which had a fully finished basement, to a 2,400-square-foot rental with my three teenagers. We brought along 37 plastic bins filled with our belongings—29 of those were mine, while the rest belonged to my kids. Additionally, I took a dozen heirloom pieces of furniture, a distressed leather reading chair, a bulky office armoire, all our clothes, and a kitchen full of essentials. It didn't appear to be excessive, even in a smaller home. My bins were neatly organized against the garage wall, the furniture scattered throughout the rental, and our clothing barely filled half of the walk-in closets, even with a dresser squeezed in.
The peaceful life I envisioned after escaping the chaos of our previous home seemed attainable. I had successfully eliminated many stressors and was determined to embrace a minimalist lifestyle with my children.
However, raising kids on camping chairs wasn't feasible, so we ended up purchasing a sofa, a rug, and proper chairs for our century-old dining table. We needed bed frames, new mattresses, and linens for those beds. I also required a washer and dryer to keep everything clean. Despite being neatly stored, those 29 plastic bins still beckon to me. Am I truly living a minimalist lifestyle?
What does minimalism signify to me, and how do I want to define it? Ideally, I envision minimalism as possessing only what is necessary for comfort, but I often get caught up on what 'comfort' entails.
In my ideal scenario, I would own only what fits within a small house, my compact SUV, and a travel bag containing my laptop, phone, Kindle, ten clothing items, an extra pair of shoes, and my passport. I find inspiration in stories of individuals who manage to live with just what's in their backpack or hatchback. I aspire to be that person someday.
Yet, I'm not there yet. I am still very much a work in progress, striving for minimalism, peace, and self-discovery in this new chapter of my life.
Exploring the journey of decluttering and embracing minimalism can be both enlightening and freeing. In the video "Minimalist Wannabe | Getting Rid of the Books!", the host shares insights on eliminating excess books and finding joy in a simpler lifestyle.
Join the adventure of decluttering in "Declutter 100 Items with Me | Wannabe Minimalist." This video offers practical tips for letting go of possessions to create a more minimalist environment.