The other day, while brewing coffee in the morning, a lightbulb went out in my kitchen. Not an uncommon occurrence I suppose.
But for some reason, on this particular morning, the common event bothered me more than usual. (Maybe because my coffee hadn’t finished brewing… if you know what I mean).
I remember looking up at the now-darkened lightbulb and thinking to myself in a frustrated tone, “Why can’t everything just work for once? Can I ever escape constantly needing to maintain and fix the stuff I own?”
I caught myself mid-paragraph.
Because the obvious answer is “No.” And I know that.
I mean, I’m in my mid-40’s. A handsome and youthful-looking mid-40s, sure. But I still know how life works:
All the things we own, regardless of the number, perish, spoil, or fade. Everything physical needs to be maintained to some extent.
Clothes need to be washed. Carpets need to be vacuumed. Beds need to be made. Oil needs to be changed. Shelves need to be dusted. Batteries need to be replaced. Showers need to be scrubbed.
And lightbulbs need to be changed.
That is the reality of the physical possessions we own. Nothing lasts forever. Everything needs to be maintained.
Every little thing.
This is why I chose minimalism as a lifestyle in the first place. Rather than being frustrated at a lightbulb that needs to be changed, I should find some joy in the fact that I need to change less of them than ever before.
When I speak about minimalism, I often make a joke about lightbulbs, in fact. I talk about my past desire to own a larger home (despite the fact that we didn’t even use all the rooms in our existing house).
But as I began minimizing possessions, I noticed the emptiness of always wanting a bigger house—and I began seeing big houses differently.
As I like to say, “Now I drive by neighborhoods with big houses and think to myself, ‘Who changes the lightbulbs in that thing?’”
Being freed from the unquenchable desire for more, bigger, and better is a wonderful feeling. As is, being separated from constantly comparing my things to others.
All possessions require maintenance. Every lightbulb, plate, shirt, bed, fire alarm, and electronic device require our attention and maintenance.
Do we ever escape that reality? Nope.
Lightbulbs always burn out—sometimes early in the morning.
But the fewer possessions we own, the less we need to maintain. And the more we can focus our attention on the things that matter most.
Stephanie says
Great stuffs thank you very much for lighting it up. We need to always save so that our energy doesn’t become drained and unused or inefficient . There are so many ways to prepare for when the lights will be iff . Just the thought of it can be scary. The Ian hurricane that hit the South has dramatically alarmed people not being able to reach out or connect for three or the weekdays. Love reading your weekly posts everyday .
Bethany says
Nice post . I needed this today , with Fall coming back early and shopping for supplies makes me wonder. Who would need pens, pencils, notebooks… books to read , really , I just feel happy we can get out of the house for fresh air , even if it is not as far as we wish we could travel. Changing our habits and learn a new way of living is what’s we need to do to adapt .
Marjorie says
Joshua, your post today is a great reminder about what we have and what we think we want. For fun I look at fancy real estate listings, houses that cost more than I could ever afford. But after taking your course I finally realized that no matter how big your house is, it’s still a bedroom, a kitchen, and a living room. You still sleep in a bad, sit on a chair, eat at a table. So I am happy with my two room home. I don’t need more. But sometimes I do like to look at what others have. And I say to myself who replaces the toilet paper in those huge houses? Just as you say who changes all those lightbulbs!
Lori says
Thank you for the post.
Melissa says
I can’t believe people are actually commenting about how you should get LED light bulbs. He is clearly using the light bulb as an example and a metaphor. No matter how insignificant the item, all things will need maintenance. The less things you have, the less energy you have to invest in caring for it. Invest in the things that give your life meaning and value. The minutia of stuff can suck the life out of you.
Betty says
Lol. I know. People here take things way too literally.
Bonnie says
I don’t think this is the only answer to sustainability. I am using candles and you can find some cheap one after the holidays or home made with bee wax. They are quite handy at times and need little care. LED are not cheap.
Kristi says
For me, candles put too much soot in the air & require more maintenance & cleaning & replacement than a lamp. But I’m glad you find them useful
Christina Cubs says
Kristi , my lamps and the lightbulbs are insufficient in my house. Well, candles can’t be everything for its purpose , and still electricity bill can be a surprise if you want a well-light house. imho
Matt says
I know that it’s not really the point of the article, but the metaphor here is so dated it’s kind of hard to get past. Buy some LEDs. Problem solved. Lightbulbs no longer need changing.
joshua becker says
Thanks for the comment. My bulbs are LED. Still need changing.
Sharon says
idk what you mean by this. you can’t use anything just once, can you?
bobw says
How many writers does it take to change a light bulb?
joshua becker says
Just 1.