A not so minimal update

photo by me / quote from the Tao Te Ching

My biggest struggle in my recent journey into a minimalist lifestyle has been my car. Although I have been complaining about and have been dealing with stress directly caused by owning it, I am still finding it very difficult to part with. It feels like I will have less control and freedom without it, so I am hesitant to let it go. When I think about it rationally, I have no trouble at all saying "get rid of it" but it is always circumstantial. I need to learn the bus routes, I need to buy a bike which I can't afford, ideally I would like to replace it with a small moped so I can still visit my favourite places. But even faced with another $400 payment to repair the fourteen year old Honda, I am still holding out, telling myself that once all of the snow is gone I will let it go. I hope I am being honest with myself in that, but I am thinking the best idea may be to put it up for sale as soon as possible, and pick myself up a bus schedule. I can put the would be gas money towards a new bike for spring.

Another of my big struggles has been to purge all of my electronics: game systems, dvds, old mp3 players, games etc. I wanted it done fast and dirty by taking it to a local electronic thrift store, but after they priced it very unfairly and even rejected some of the perfectly good systems, I have decided to take them back home and try to sell them on kijiji for a more fair price. I guess that will teach me to accumulate seven game systems with games and over a hundred DVDs that never get watched.

In theory, my minimalist life is a dream come true, but getting there has proven a difficult journey that will take much longer than I had anticipated. Hopefully my realization of this will help me stick to it, and reap the benefits in the end.

*An accomplishment*
Recently, I was faced with a decision between getting a new computer or a trip to Cuba as a present from my mom. I wavered back and forth for a bit as I had my eye on a laptop for some time, but in the end I rationalized with my new found view of life and decided that experiences are more important than objects, and there is nothing wrong with my current computer, so I opted for the trip and I am now looking forward to it very much.

I am or I own?

In the midst of a rather crazy move, I have been thinking more and more about adopting a minimalist lifestyle. As someone who has always appreciated owning stuff, it seems quite a difficult task for me, but having a record for moving on average once every two months is motivation enough. Even though I don't plan on moving again so soon, having a clutter-free environment to live and having significantly less to move when the time does come sounds like too good of an offer to turn down.

Another reason for the change is my tendency to identify with the things I own, I no longer want to have an emotional attachment to stuff.

So here are a few goals outlining how I plan on going about becoming a minimalist:

1. I hate doing dishes, so I am going to reduce my kitchen wares to:
1 plate
1 bowl
1 glass
1 mug
1 frying pan
2 pots (1 small, 1 medium/large)
1 strainer
1 spatula
.....You get the drift.....One of everything I need and nothing more. Of course, since I have a room mate, these aren't the only dishes we will have in the house, just the ones I will use. We will have plenty for company.

2. Buy an EReader.
I have had my eye on the Amazon Kindle for a little while now, and I have finally decided that it is the right thing for me to switch from paper copies to electronic copies, and the latest version of the Kindle has made it so easy.

3. Use Electronic Storage
I am a bit of a pack rat when it comes to personal items. I currently have a tupperware container full of old movie tickets, pictures, journals, play bills, posters, and trophies lurking under my bed. I want to digitize all of it by scanning it into my computer and saving it on my hard drive. Also I have piles of old C.D.s and DVDs that never get open because I have access to the electronic versions, so I am going to back them all up on my hard drive and get rid of them. My 1TB hard drive can fit in my coat pocket and store all my pictures, music, and movies.

4. Purge old clothes that never get worn and replace them with a few long lasting, versatile outfits.
I have been saying a lot lately that I am sick of being a T-shirt and jeans kind of gal, so why am I keeping them all around? If my closet only contains a few nice, fashionable and versatile outfits then I will look nice everyday, and I won't even be tempted by the old Tee's. One pair of lounging clothes is a must though.

I have a few more goals in mind, but this post has dragged on far enough, and I already have my work cut out for me. It is going to be hard work, but in the end I know it will be worth it. Wish me Luck!

Spring Fever

Polka dot mini dress by carnivorousdeer
Cocktail party dress by thevintagestudio
coral pink crochet sweater by skivvyluluvintage
sweatheart dress by gogovintage
red stain bow pumps by ladygolightly
turquoise typewriter by brooklynretro

I have spring fever! The above are a few vintage spring looks that I love (etsy.com). I wish I could by them all. The type writer isn't a look of course, but I fell in love with it. I have always wanted a typewriter, and who can resist it in turquoise? This site makes me want to start my christmas shopping already!

Since my apartment isn't quite ready to move into yet, and I had the weekend off work, I decided to pay my parents a visit in Northern N.B. Their new house is looking great, and today we headed out to Wal Mart to buy some final touches. Ignoring my dislike for Wal Mart (and large companies in general) I managed to enjoy myself and pick out accessories for their living room and a new set of work clothes for myself. On our way home, we stopped at a small boutique in Woodstock called Barb's dresser drawers where I found myself a beautiful Spring coat.

This coat, along with a few lingering feelings of longing for longer days and warm sunshine, gave me a bad case of spring fever. I cannot wait for it to be warm enough to wear this beaut.

I may have to start updating my spring wardrobe, as quickly as my paychecks will allow! I am aiming for something a little different than my usual t-shirt and jeans, and starting school in May will offer a great occasion to show off the new looks (once I get them that is).

Bring on Spring!!!

My Recent Geekery

1. demo roar backpack by ArtsiBitsi
2. Forest for your fridge by iamhome
3. Totoro decal for iphone by Decalz
4. Jelly Fish by Lazymuse
5. Neck Warmer by fadingendlessly
6. owl pendant by VanityDesign
7. periodic table by Melony
8. piano Ring by Sypria

My recent escapades in the realm of geekery have inspired the above collage from Etsy.com.

Now to expand on my own pursuits in geekiness:

I have recently started to play Magic The Gathering, with my SO and his roommates. I actually learned how to play a few years ago but I am just now getting really into it. I started just by playing a few of my SO's decks, including a red boros deck and a green pump deck. Playing these gave me a refresher on the rules, before I built my own Blue/white flyer deck, which, well wasn't a great success, but taught me a lot about deck building. Today I took that deck apart and began planning a green/blue pump deck. The game is great for people who like strategy.

I also set myself with the goal of beating Super Mario Bros 1 without skipping worlds. This came about while I was playing out of boredom, skipped to world four and began to die, well, a lot. My SO bearing witness to this utter nintendo failure, challenged me to reaching world four without warping in order to practice. By the afternoon, I had beat world four, but since then I have been stuck on world five, with countless murders at the hands of the hammer bros.

My SO has also started to teach me the ancient game of GO, which I am embracing. Go is very challenging, and in order to even have a fair game, I need a handicap. I learned a bit using these tutorials. Learning some basic moves before going up against anyone is highly recommended.

I would love to indulge in the world of Minecraft as well, but my laptop will not support it, so until I get my new computer, it will have to remain a fantasy.

<3 let your inner nerd loose