Archive for July, 2010
The story of stuff
I don’t know why I’ve never posted this video on my blog. I watched it a couple of years ago and it totally changed the way I look at stuff. Check out The Story of Stuff website. They recently released the Story of Cosmetics! Happy Friday!
My rules for a minimalist lifestyle
Ever since I became a minimalist (about 3 years ago), making choices and decisions has become so much easier because it all comes down to one question: will this or that truly contribute to my overall happiness? If the answer is yes, I absolutely have no problem splurging or taking bigger risks.
As far as I’m concerned, things that I think are worth buying include anything that will help me to be more creative (visual arts are a big part of my life). The rest is just like visual noise for my brain. I now feel a lot more in control when I happen to be in a store full of temptations. Most of the time, I manage to talk myself into not buying another pair of shoes and whatnot. And if I do buy something that I don’t really need (which is quite rare now), I try to talk myself into returning it to the store for a refund.
If you’re curious, here are the rules I live by:
- Don’t go shopping as a form of entertainment.
- Be honest with yourself and always question why you want to buy something.
- Don’t consider your credit card like free money.
- Don’t buy things just for display.
- One in, one out (when I buy something, I must get rid of at least one thing I own).
What are your rules?
Happy Friday!
Yesterday, I made some chocolate mousse. Quick and easy to make. And so much tastier than store-bought food.
This weekend, let’s do stuff that doesn’t involve going to the mall or organizing a closet, okay?
Happy Friday everyone! Have a great weekend!
Minimalism in relationships
My guiding principle for everything in my life (including relationships) is simple: quality over quantity.
I strive for simplicity and authenticity in my relationship with others, and I’ve become very selective of who I allow in my intimate circle, using the trustiness level criteria (though I’ll befriend pretty much anyone). Yes, it means I have a lot less “close” friends than before, but it also means I no longer have to deal with all the drama and negativity they brought into my life.
I’ve had a few friendship breakups over the years, most of which hurt more than a romantic heartbreak. Sometimes it was a mutually agreed short break that became permanent. Other times, it was a really bad breakup that involved insults and personal attacks. But in all cases, I cried. A LOT. Breaking all ties with someone you’ve known for a long time or with whom you shared a special experience isn’t easy. It’s a heart-breaking process, but it’s crucial if you want to keep your sanity.
I used to feel bad about nixing people out of my life because, well… I have a natural tendency to worry about other people’s well-being before mine. But I’m a big believer that actions speak louder than words and after a while, I just figured that we’re better off without each other.
When a relationship has become toxic to the point where I feel I can no longer trust the other person, it’s time to tell them “goodbye and good luck with your life”. Trust your gut instinct. If someone makes you uncomfortable to the point where you have negative feelings every time you think about them, it’s a pretty good sign that you don’t want them in your life.
Forgive, forget, and move on. Life’s too short for bad relationships :)
Montréal
Yesterday I played tourists around town. I had forgotten how much I love Montreal.
