The Minimalistic Life
Posted on June 30, 2010 by yiqi
More than just an attractive decorative theme for that new home, Everett Bogues believes in living a minimalistic lifestyle. He quit his job, got rid of everything except for 75 items, and started his own minimalistic business. He came up with a list of strategies that he follows. Let’s look at a few that we can quickly and easily pick up:
- Use free(ish) transportation – Everyone who’s been in Singapore more than a month, you will know that it’s ridiculously expensive to own a car. Everyone will also realise that it’s super convenient to travel around Singapore without a car. We’re a tiny island, plus we have a really advanced public transportation system. Further, even though cycling long distances in Singapore might not be that comfortable, going to the nearby supermarket on a bicycle is good for health (exercise), your wallet, and the environment. Tri-fecta!
- Live in a place that’s walkable – Think about where you’re living. If you live far away from main amenities, train stations, bus stops, even your work place, you might want to think about moving. I know, I know, it’s tough in Singapore with the high property prices, but for all you folks out there looking to purchase a house, no harm considering this?
- Prepare your own food – Eating out’s not great. We all know this. Say what you want but fast food, hawker food, even high-end restaurant food’s not meant for nutrition, it’s meant to taste good enough for you to make a return trip. Not to mention it’s really expensive! Prepare your own food – you’ll have full control over what goes into the stuff that’s supposed to be sustenance. Good, no?
- Live in a smaller space – Say a newly wed couple is looking for a house. Given how we’re working 20 hours a day, it’s probably unlikely that starting a family is not high on their list of priorities. Given these parameters, do you need an apartment with 3 bedrooms, a tv room, and 2 store rooms? I’d say no.
- Avoid watching TV and/or mass media in general – Product placements, advertisements, gossip, news, these are but some of the ways companies reach out to you in order to sell you stuff. “Sale”, “Limited Time Only”, can you imagine other ways in which you’re convinced you need more stuff?
- Establish a minimalistic social circle – Ok, I know this is weird, but hear me out. If you have friends who love shopping, and entice you to buy the newest anything all the time, that’s not a good bunch of friends to hand around now, is it? This might be a bit extreme but think about it a minute. We are defined by the folks we keep company with. Seriously. Think about.
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I know some of these ideas come off as a tad weird, but it’s not like commandments you have to live by. I’m not asking you to throw everything away leaving 75 items, sell your house and all that jazz. Just food for thought.
Any ideas on how else to live a minimalistic life?
