I have been working the last couple weeks on editing my debt blog into an e-book. It has been three years since I started that blog and almost two years since it ended, and it’s interesting to see how my priorities have shifted since then. The shift actually began while I was doing the work of digging myself out of debt.
I used to talk about working toward a new car, a bigger apartment, and maybe a house one day. Now I’m working on getting rid of my car, as well as everything I own, and I have no desire to ever own a home. I don’t know if I really wanted those things, or if I was just going the direction I thought I should as an adult, but I am going in a direction now that feels more authentic.
This is a little embarrassing to admit, but rereading my old blog has motivated me to think more seriously about my finances again. I am already doing the things I want to be doing–working less, writing more, and traveling as much as possible–but I think I can be doing it better. This afternoon, I listened to the Anthony Edwards episode of the Nerdist podcast, and he talked about traveling and the way it changes your attitude toward the excesses of American culture. I get excited when I am reminded of things like this; I want to run home and give away more of my things and figure out how to leave the country again as soon as possible.
It’s such a cool feeling when your priorities start to click into place, and you find yourself working toward them not because you think you should, but because you truly want to. Living with less allows me to travel more. Minimalism has infected all of my thought, so that I find myself less distracted and more concentrated on real productivity. In a philosophical sense, I feel like I’m getting closer to some lower-case truths. Not universals: what’s right for me.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I completely get this – I’ve lived the last 5 months out of a small duffle and a backpack (while still working mon-fri and living my life in much the same way I was before), and at this point I can’t imagine going back to a big place with things…it would make me feel so encumbered. At the same time I feel silly imagining myself in even a studio apartment and not having things (like, a bed) around me. I suppose I’ll figure it out…
I’d love to know more about your push to minimalism- it’s something I’ve been thinking a lot about, particularly in places like the kitchen where I seem to use the same few pots, pans, etc. but am surrounded by SO MUCH other random stuff. And are there things that you don’t think/know you ever could live minimally on/without ( other than the obvious food, water, etc.)
Hmmm… Maybe you should write another e-book on how to minimalize your life. You don’t have to answer this, because I know it’s personal, but if you don’t mind answering, I would be interested to know how you got to the point where you could work less and write more. The getting to write more by working less and still being able to maintain my bills while traveling sounds amazing. When I got back from New York, I was on a travel writing high. I realized how much I would love to go around the country/world and write about my experiences. I think it’s great you’re at a point in your life where you can do this. I’m happy for you. :)