this past week, christine shared her personal story of becoming minimalist on our “share your story” page. i found her story to be both challenging and encouraging as we continue to become minimalist ourselves. i wanted to give you an opportunity to read it as well. and so with christine’s permission, here it is:
I’ve always liked the idea of having less “stuff” around. However, I was truly enlightened during a particularly stressful week at work.
I’m a 26 year old insurance agent. I’d been working with clients on their policies and couldn’t get over the greed that consumed so many of them. I had a client call me up to complain about her insurance prices and in the same breath she asked me to quote her a new BMW. Another client was obsessed with insuring every belonging he and his wife had – jewelry, furs, antiques, paintings, etc. And it just clicked in my head: I didn’t want my husband and I to become these people. I wanted to live without the stress of owning so many unnecessary belongings. I wanted freedom of stuff!
Since that moment, I’ve been going through my small apartment and “minimalizing”. I’ve always been organized and not much of a pack-rat, but you’d be surprised at how much you have that is hiding in drawers and closets! I went through my jewelry and got rid of everything I’d never wear. I brought the gold I didn’t want to a jeweler and sold it. Ebay has been fantastic for the other items. I keep making sweeps through the rooms in my apartment to see where else I can minimalize. I’ve still got a long way to go, but it’s been great so far.
One of the perks is that in my attempt to become more minimalist I’ve stopped shopping almost completely. I plan on wearing out the clothes/shoes I have before buying anything new. I don’t even think about shopping much at all anymore. My husband has really started getting into my new lifestyle choice – it’s great to have him on board!
I just think that it’s a great way to live. I carry less in my bag when I go places. I have less material things to worry about. I don’t feel “consumed with consumerism”. It’s vindicating!
thanks for sharing your story, christine. may it encourage others as it has encouraged me. and may you continue to find “freedom from stuff.”
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you for this inspring story! Moving into a new apartment gives me the chanve to do the same too. I think a thorough minimalism spree will result in loads of ebay-items or stuff to throw away
Martin, thank you so much for your comment! I wish you the best of luck in your minimalizing! (Selling on ebay has really become a good thing for me -it’s amazing what you can sell!)