Wrestling with minimalism
I think about minimalism from time to time, and I have mixed feelings about it. I’ve been reading Goodbye, Things by Fumio Sasaki–a book about minimalist living. He shares his own story and other people’s stories, too. It seems like minimalism is a big thing in Japan–at least for some people.
I also really liked Marie Kondo’s book, The Life-Changing Art of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing. It inspired me to pick up every single thing I owned and get rid of whatever didn’t spark joy. But that was not my first round of lightening my load.
Less and less, but still too much
It all started when I moved from my house to my condo–and no longer had a basement, attic, or husband. Then we had the fire. No one got hurt, but we couldn’t live in the condo for about 6 months. We lived with few things during that time, and it felt really good. When we moved back to the condo and got our stuff back, I got rid of a lot of stuff again.
Then, just a few years ago, when my younger daughter went off to college, I decided to get a roommate. So I Kondo-
Most recently, I moved from my condo to a lovely little (much smaller) apartment near Lake Michigan–leading to another downsizing.
Now I’m contemplating the possibility of leaving Chicago–a big move! I’ve lived here for about 35 years. And if I decide to go, I’ll leave a lot more stuff behind. I fantasize about moving into a little apartment with just a few simple things. And I’m starting now to get rid of stuff even though if I do move, it won’t be for at least 6 months.. I don’t like to leave things until the last minute. And it gets me out of working on my blogging course, which I’ve been avoiding for some reason.
The poem–terse verse
Anyhow, in honor of all this thinking and moving stuff around, I’ve written a piece of terse verse. I figured terse verse was appropriate for a poem about minimalism, although maybe haiku would be better.
Susan Bruck 10-12-2018
Minimalist Rag(e)
Minimalism
creates a schism
Between
too much stuff
and never enough
sparking joy
and wanting more toys
prioritize
organize
minimize
self-chastise
agonize
too much stuff
and never enough
getting rid
of the matchless lid
saves space
but maybe keep it–
just in case
minimalism
creates a schism
between
less is more
and things I adore–
all over the floor.
Enough said! (but for more about simplifying, check out my post on Simplicity Parenting and on my other blog, you can see my review of The Art of Cleanup (a very funny book!)
If you have some poetry you’d like to share (your own or not), this week’s Poetry Friday host is Writing the World for Kids. You can also find links to more poetry there.
Thanks for stopping by.
xoxo
I especially like those last four lines!
I am pretty much not at all a minimalist (too many books, too many art supplies, too many plants, etc.) but I love the feeling of getting rid of stuff.
Hi Tabatha,
Thanks. I’m the same. In my mind/heart, I’m a minimalist, but I have too much of the same things you do–and too much kitchen stuff and too many scarves, too. But I’m in one of those moods–so we’ll see what happens!
Love the spunk and twist in your poem Susan–I wouldn’t mind getting rid of some things, just need to find the time…
That’s always the rub! But I figure if I make the effort, it’ll save time in the long run. Plus–work’s been slow the past week or so (but it’s picking up again).