Living Simply: Colleges are Feeding Mindless Consumerism

Not sure if I mentioned this, but I'm a full-time college student. I carry 5 classes, which is 15 hours of "seat time" and another 30 hours of homework per week. Yes, the teachers all made sure to remind us to expect 2 hours of homework for each in-class hour per week, so 6 hours a week per class. Anyway...

I have been pretty surprised that many of my classes require as a first assignment to be a written essay or speech to the class that has us bring in or display a slide show of OBJECTS that have INTENSE MEANING, or DEFINE WHO I AM, or HOLD THE MOST OR MOST IMPORTANT MEMORY for me. Really???!!! I've had to bring in something I supposedly collect, articles of clothing that are supposed to define me, photo collages of things that describe me...I wish I could get an A by handing in a blank piece of paper, or do a slideshow of blank slides, then give a speech or essay about how things don't do that for me, they don't define who I am, I am not represented by logos and brand names, and oh, for 5 minutes to publicly explain minimalism and intentional, simple living!!! Then I get to sit through classmates' stories about how they value their Gucci sweatshirt, their Louis Vuitton purses, or Michael Kors clothing, watches, etc.

I may get close next week. I told my teacher in public speaking that I'm a minimalist so I won't be able to truly do what she asked. I asked if I could bring in a photo of my capsule wardrobe, explain how I'm a minimalist, and why having a capsule wardrobe is more important to me than two closets full of clothes I've collected for decades. She's allowing it - so we'll see how she grades it.

My English teacher still hasn't graded my photo asking for a collage of meaningful things that describe me and it's been several weeks now. I'll give you the gist of it. Picture a bare metal, mirrored end table, against a stark white wall, reflecting a bible and a glass of water. It looked like a professionally done poster, and better than some of the other students who just piled stuff on a desk without any artistic effort. The glass I wrote is my "the glass is always more than half full" attitude and my faith is the most important thing to me. It's the foundation of my values, thoughts, and how I treat others as I go through this life. Simple. Intentional. Artistic. We'll see what she thinks.

For Communication I needed a slide show of 3 items complete with a detailed story of why those things are important. I brought in 3 baseball items (opening day ticket, season ticket holder pass, and a signed baseball). I turned it around though. I spoke of how baseball brought me and my daughter close at a tough time in her life. My speech was essentially about her and our relationship, while the things were just evidence of experiences we enjoyed together.

Can you imagine asking this in any other country than America? In many countries, the most important things are often the ONE pot the family's meals are cooked in, the ONE pair of shoes given at the right time, or the ONE book smuggled into an area where they are forbidden or not something that people can afford? Such materialism. It's so awful.

So here's a question for you:  If you had to write about, give a speech on, or display a slideshow of THINGS that are important to you, or define you...what would you do? It's hard when you know your memories are in your mind, not "in" the object. I'd love to hear from you on this one.

Living Simply: Now what?

Okay, so if you've decided it's worth living a more intentional, more simple, minimalist lifestyle...and you already get that there's going to be some de-cluttering, the big question is, "Now what?" It looks different for everyone based on personality, where you live, who you live with, the size of your household (you can't magically convert everyone else to your new lifestyle, so don't push them). Here are a few pointers though to get you started with a few baby steps:

1.  Take some scheduled time to figure out YOU. Who are you? What kind of person are you? Have you been doing what's important and what you like to do, or are you following what everyone else tells you that you should be doing? These questions will help you make important changes. Maybe you are right where you want to be, but maybe you know you're not in a good fit. Perhaps examining another field or occupation if it means living the life you know you want. Are you in a job you hate with no chance for advancement? Consider if school would help get you where you want to be. 

2.  What is your personality/temperament like? There are great books out there like Personality Plus, The 5 Love Languages, the D-I-S-C personality book, and more. Figure out what type of person you are as you go forward. Are you the life of the party, happy-go-lucky person? Are you the serious, organized, meticulous, planning type of person? Are you the easy-going person who never wants to be in charge but is happy to be a behind the scenes helper? Are you the take charge leader type? Can you see how knowing that may help you understand the type of job and life you want to lead? 

3.  What flaws in your life or personality might you want to work on to become better? Do you tend to interrupt others? habitually late? Bossy? Stubborn? Disorganized? A few baby steps may be taken to correct some of these things. You're no good to the world around you if you're part of the problem. 

4.  What are your priorities? Who are your priorities? It takes income to survive, and if you have a spouse or family depending on your, then don't quit your job to backpack across Europe. Maybe it's time to get to your kids' practices or games or recitals. Maybe it's time to schedule a once a week, or at least once a month, date nights with your spouse. Maybe paying off debt is the most important thing to less stress and anxiety so you can sleep better at night. Maybe it's all about spending less, buying only what you need and nothing more.

5.  Purge regularly - material possessions, I mean. Keep a box by the door, near the stairs, in the garage, etc. where you and your household can drop things to be donated. Throw out things you don't need as you come across them, like those old magazines you'll never read again. A few times a year (or seasonally) evaluate your closet. Get rid of what either doesn't fit or you aren't wearing because you don't like it anymore. Replace a few key pieces as needed to keep your wardrobe working for you - especially if it's a small capsule wardrobe with under 40 items.

6.  Detach from the objects you own. Giving emotional attachment to things instead of people is wrong, but it's what we're taught. Value people and appreciate them. Memories are in your mind, not in the things.

7.  Figure out what experiences and/or relationships you want to add to your life. Then make an intentional effort to do them and/or nurture them. Maybe it's to develop a friendship with other hikers or fisherman or yoga buddies? Maybe it's to travel with the person you love most? Maybe it's to learn a new skill? 

And don't be afraid to keep experimenting and defining who you are. It's a life-long process. Have fun with it! 

Living Simply: Unexpected Benefits

     There are so many benefits to minimalism and living more simply, but they may be more than you think. Everyone expects the neater home, the cleaner car, less clutter, getting rid of junk drawers and boxes with no idea what's in them. But what about those other benefits you may not be aware of? Here are a few I've found:

1.  Responding vs Reacting - When you're stressed out, there's a tendency to react emotionally or just give others the answer you know they want from you. You don't have time to think things through, balance them against other options, and intentionally decide what to do in any given circumstance. Your day is more even-keeled. You're off the emotional roller coaster most of the time. You're able to give a response to a problem or question and maintain your own priorities.

2.  Improving health - Reducing stress, tension, and anxiety can lead to better sleep, lower blood pressure, lower risks of heart-related diseases. A well balanced life helps you focus on eating better, building in practical exercise to your day or week. Less last minute junk food decisions. Less fast food drive thru trips. Planned meals and snacks more often. In the long run, you may end up much healthier.

3.  Better relationships - Once you intentionally decide how to spend your time, you can choose to be around people that will encourage you, add value to your life, and who mean the most to you. You also get to eliminate those toxic relationships that weigh you down and add stress and anxiety to your world. It's not selfish to protect and nurture your own self in your relationships. Just don't go overboard thinking no one else matters but you. That too has toxic consequences.

4.  Joy - Call it what you want: contentment, happiness, calmness, peace, or joy. It's the feeling that shows up practically every day when you're living the life you know you want to be living.

5.  Freedom -  I have told people that I feel more free than ever before but it's hard to put into words. I guess it's freedom from living the life other people tell me I should be living, freedom to make up my own mind and prioritize according to my purpose, not someone else's. There's also an aspect of money freedom once the debts are paid, and you're spending isn't out of control. That's when a lifestyle of giving back comes into play. You become free (and so does your money) so you can help those in need, or support causes and organizations you believe in.

Have a great week.