Когда дело касается вещей нам свойственен иррациональный подход. Притом этот подход предельно иррационален и предельно типичен. Мы аккумулируем гораздо больше вещей чем нам необходимо. В основе этого инстинкт (накопления), но, как и любой инстинкт который адекватен нашему пре-историческому существованию, он не адекватен сегодня. Точно так-же как инстинкт питания он требует контроля.
Вещи также используются как статус символ. Если акцент про этом делается на количестве, а не качестве то результат часто бывает обратный желаемому.
minimalism is not just about things, but things are the most tangible aspect of it. The best way to introduce minimalism aka rational approach into your life is to begin controlling the things in your possession.
To do that you should start thinking about things in rational terms: what function do they play, what is their useful life span, what is the cost of replacement.
Of course there are things with sentimental values attached, but they better be small, both in size and in number.
Things - contrary to common perception - drain our resources. We spend time and money acquiring them. We warehouse them, which is not free (ask any warehousing facility). And more often than not they contribute to clutter, which in turn generates a whole bunch of problems.
Not all things created equal. We don't by an extra mattress if we already have one even if it is on sale. For the same reason we don't by an extra loaf of bread. We usually don't overstock on big bulky items that will create an obvious storage problem, or perishable item that will obviously loose their value over time. It's smaller seemingly non-perishable and easy to store things that crawl one by one into our homes, facilitated greately by marketing and general consumeristic culture.
Excessive acquisition of things - consumerism - is an addiction. Lets face it and lets fight it using minimalism as our top gun.
Where to begin?
The best way to introduce rational thinking is to make a list or better yet use a spreadsheet.
Start with a list of things you need. Divided them by function. For example shoes could be subdivided into following categories: travel , office, home, running, hiking, dress, summer, winter etc. Write the number of items you need for each category.
Now go shopping. First to your own closet. Our task is to minimize the number of items we posses. To accomplish that we should strive to have items that overlap several functions (and as many as possible).
When you finish acquiring items (mainly from your own reserves) get rid of the rest.
Now when you need a new item because the old one becomes worn or in some other sense useless - then and only then - buy a new one and get rid of the old one. This is not as hard as it sounds. All you have to do is incorporate your already existing attitude toward buying big items and groceries. Don't go looking for bargains and then consider item's usability (often in this case imaginary). Go shopping (online or brick and mortar) when you have a definite need, then look for bargains ( only for the item in question).
Here is the paradox: to become a minimalist you have to think about things more not less. Because the number of things you own is small their quality and most importantly functionality have to become of much greater importance. From a relatively indiscriminate consumer you would have to turn into a very educated consumer. Minimalism is not a blatant disregard for consumption, it's disregard for consumerism - an irrational consumption and therefore consequently excessive.
Minimalism and ADD.
People with ADD lacking multitasking capability. This disadvantage comes as side effect of their main strength - to hyper-focus on one task. An evolutionary device needed for all sorts of breakthroughs. Scientist, creative people, achievers in various fields are of that type. Unfortunately some very dysfunctional people are too. If what you concentrating on has no value to the society what you become known for is your negative ADD traits.
ADD needs a secretary. A lot of times a relative plays the role. But if no secretary is available you have to learn the tricks of dealing with your ADD shortcomings.
Minimalism is the major trick in overcomeingADD toolbox.
Too many things in your life, to many task makes you dysfunctional as you are lacking an ability to juggle them (organize, prioritize, schedule, etc). You probably not completely devoid of this ability, but it is severely limited. For you the alternative to minimalism is to live in a mess, feeling frustration a lot and often anxiety. Anxiety often comes as a result of perceiving ones inadequacy to the task. Anxiety in turn can lead to depression. A vicious cycle.
Minimalism does two very important things for you.
First, it has a pacifying affect. It is important to be a realist and realize that an alternative to minimalism is clutter. You intermittent organization attempts are doomed to fail. You attention moves and what was thoughtfully and painfully organized crumbles almost in an instant.
The absence of clutter is pacifying. and so is small amount of tasks on your plait.
Second. You become productive. You feel like you can do it and you actually do it. Anxiety gives way to self confidence.
A lot of people report the feeling of relive when they get rid of things and tasks.
Minimalism can make you functional. Minimalism can make you feel functional.
It's a therapy and a powerful one. Use it.
Links you might find useful:
mnmlist
miss minimalist
Extreme Minimalism
The 2011 All Star List of Minimalist Blogs
Minimalism Defined
mnmlist.ru
zenhabits.ru
The Minimalist
Penelope Trunk blog
My Minimalist Journey: Clothing
The Everyday Minimalist
The 30 pieces of a Minimalist’s Wardrobe
A Minimalist Wardrobe for Men: Part Two — The Bare Basics of a Minimalist Man’s Wardrobe
becoming minimalist
unclutterer
30 Best blogs on minimalist living
Young tech millionaires keeping 1-bedroom lifestyle
What to own?
100 Possessions
Minimalist Fun: The 100 Things Challenge
Information ( office, library, internet....)
Free eBooks: Collections
Kindle vs. Nook vs. iPad: Which e-book reader should you buy?
