The DU Lounge

I'm a rabid environmentalist and it pains me to no end to see all the stuff people think they need to be content in life. It's a good part of the reason that so many Americans are depressed or unsatisfied or just plain miserable humans. We've been programmed to think we just have to have the lastest thing and the truth is we don't. In this country shopping is a recreational sport. I have always despised shopping. People who come into my house and who know me as a minimalist are often quite surprised at how attractive/homey/inviting it is. They think I live like a monk or something. Minimalism doesn't mean you have nothing. If you're introspective, every stage of life should have you reexamining how you live and why. At 77 years old, my goal is to die with very few belongings, all of which are in good shape so they can be given away easily and so my son doesn't have to spend a year of his life going through it.

I am a realist. I take care of my belongings to the best of my ability and am grateful for what I've had or have now. When I know I'm not using something I usually find someone who could use it and give it away or I sell it for next to nothing on Facebook Marketplace or craigslist. Most every person I've dealt with has been just thrilled to get my items. I remember one couple where I had a refrigerator that was in perfect working order and clean inside and out that bought it from craigslist. When they were leaving the husband said to me, "Is all your stuff always this clean?" and I said, "yes, I take care of my belongings". Many decades ago when I knew I was no longer going to have any more children, I gave all my really nice baby furniture to a woman whose husband died of cancer when she was pregnant and she had no idea how she was going to pay for a crib or play pen. I didn't even know the woman - had just heard about her from a neighbor.