Do You Practice Any Alternative Lifestyles?
For a while now I've been slowly decluttering my workspace as I felt there is a lot of unused items on it as well as in my room. Sometimes old electronics are hard to dispose off and I've a few of those. Some aren't exactly worn out, some are new but unused overall, and for a while!
I'm also considering moving cities and was trying to make an assessment of things I would need if I were to do just that. I'm not a fan of hoarding stuff but it turns out that mostly we end up doing just that. If you've lived anywhere for a few years, you certainly end up hoarding a ton of stuff. Much of it goes unused over a period of time.
I was researching on de-cluttering and related matters and found an interesting documentary-"Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things." It was quite interesting to say the least. It does lack on content somewhat as doesn't go into depth of the subject matter.
Most of the people interviewed in the documentary are those earning big paychecks, and not the average person. But the general idea that less is better and the importance of reducing consumerism in our lives appealed to me. Also, as someone who doesn't have a job with a fixed location, I find it interesting to own very little and have the freedom to go anywhere, anytime. I'm yet to act upon this new approach that I've found today but I'm curious to learn more.
Minimalism I suppose is one approach. I also really like the idea of taking a small apartment for example and utilising it in an efficient manner. Few examples shown in the documentary were great. I looked up some more interesting examples on Google where you could own a small apartment and do a lot with it. But I reckon, you'd also need to spend a lot of money designing it so maybe that's not going to work for most.
The idea of sustainable living is great, especially if it allows you to reduce your carbon footprint on the planet. I'm not sure if that's entirely possible outright when you live in a city. But the concepts are very intriguing to say the least. I'm sure there are many here who live off the grid and are doing just great.
I'm nearly done with the documentary but couldn't help but jot these thoughts down and ask here if you are currently engaged in an alternative lifestyle. Whatever your reasons maybe, I'd love to know more about them in the comments below.
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Hi @firepower, I live in a housetruck with my 3 girls and my partner. I have been living in vehicles for the last 10 years. I chose to live this way because I did not wish to get tied down or trapped renting, I also do not really get involved with the system.I wanted to be able to move when I needed to and also be able to raise and educate my girls how I see fit. living in a vehicle allows a lot of freedom and it means you live only with want you need, there is no space for lots of stuff. if we get something new then something old has to go. We have very little expenses mainly food as we live simply, but our lives are all the fuller because of it. Our truck is parked on some lush land at the moment that provides us with a lot of fruit and nuts so we are very lucky. When you live with little, you will be amazed with what will come your way.
That's really amazing to learn! Thank you for taking the time to share this with us.
My ultimate dream is a Landcruiser built for long expedition so I can live out of it and be on the road for a few years. It would be great if it happens someday. Meanwhile I'm trying to declutter my immediate surrounding of stuff I don't need.
You need to create a vision board and start to put that plan into action, not if but when! decluttering and downsizing is a great start. I would one day love to drive through Africa with a Landcruiser what an adventure that would be.
It's nice that you mentioned the vision board. In fact I've had one for about 3 years on the wall in front of me. It's just A4 photopaper with collages stuck on the wall. About 8 of them in all, and you know what I've actually accomplished a lot on that board in the past 3 years except for the Landcruiser but maybe that might happen in the next 2 years or so. :D
Same goals as you here haha!
maybe I'll get to meet you on the road xx
I would love to see your work when finished, I used to work in a call center for almost 4 years, I've been through a lot of different stages in my life while I was working there, then I suddenly felt I needed to leave that place, of course I was a little afraid of doing so, and some of the people around me used to tell me stuff not to quit my job, however I managed to save some money and finally be able to quit, you have no idea how my life has changed, I now do trading, and web development from home, then these days I've been getting a feeling that I don't really need most of the stuff that's in my house, I feel like I only want my bed, closet and laptop, so I am now starting to clean my house, already gifted all my old Metal Music CDs to an old friend and I am still in the process! But it feels great!
That's great to hear. I'm hoarding a lot of stuff I havent used in years. I'm slowly starting the process of giving them away or selling or simply throwing a few things away nobody wants.
As far as work goes I was doing something similar and it took me many years of work to move away from that and do the things that means the most to me now. I'm happy to know you were able to achieve yours as well.
I'm interesting in a minimalist life style and I watched docuentaries and read books about it. Sometimes I clean my rooms (especially my kitchen, where I spent many hours in the day) making it free from items that I don't use and that I'll never use. It's an habit that I have from many years. About to live in or out of the city, 4 years ago I decided to be alternative: I lived out of the city for the most part of my life and when I was 43 years old I decided to live in a city (a small city with many many green areas) I appreciate to live here, close to my parents. Living in the city I don't use my car because I can go everywhere using feeth or public transports, so it's was a good choice for me.
That's amazing to know! I'm in the process of discarding things I don't need. Hopefully soon I can be done with them.
I am trying Minimalism in my day to day life. One thing I am trying to implement is get a standard set of clothes. Like wearing almost the same types of clothes everyday (like Steve Jobs). This also helps define a 'look' which is good for a musician like me :)
That's great. I've considering doing something similar after my current wardrobe fades off and im due to shop for any replacement.
I have heard the term "alternative lifestyle" before but never really knew what it meant. I like the minimalistic thing though. Most of us are way too hyper focused on possesions.
what's funny is that "alternative lifestyle" used to mean gay
That's what i was thinking. I met this girl in a bar that asked me to play pool once. After i met her boyfriend, someone told me they were alternative lifestyle. This was years ago. The way i took it is that he was gay and he was with her to pretend he wasnt.
could have been swingers, anything that would be in the other section of the personal classifieds.
Yeah. They probably were. I didn't leave with them. Lol. I'm not gay, so it scared me. I feared that i could be ruphied and wake up with my butthole hurting. They seemed to want to party but i was not comfortable
Frankly the risk of crossing swords is too great for me to ever risk it.
Yeah. Me too
Actually back in the day that's pretty much what it meant. I used to think it meant the same until I began my research on minimalism and came across some articles on alternative lifestyle which were basically about sustainable living.
I would have guessed that would fall under "alternative energy" but that it could also be a life style ;)
I often wonder how the beggars we see on streets lead their lives. During my college days I had some such elderly persons as my friends. There is a lot to learn from them! Similarly I heard of monks in Himalaya leading such a tough life but have never seen them yet! Every person has a story to tell. people are different. Minimalism is something I really want to practice at least for some years in my life!
I am somewhat of a bon vivant. My brother recently moved out of his apartment into an RV, a lot of the millennials are into that and the "tiny homes" because they can't afford real houses and they don't want to admit they live in a mobile home.
Property rates are sky high and it's sad that the cost of living is so expensive in most places in the world. It's not bad to live in a tiny home, it's sad that people look down upon you for doing it sometimes.
indeed they had to come up with new terms because of the associations with trailer parks and "trailer trash", I am sure there are some very nice trailer parks.
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I make "minimalist" wallets (and maximalist ones too) . It always cracks me up when I am contacted to make a minimalist wallet the holds 10-12 cards. Minimalism is more then the amount of leather.
Well said :D
nice one resteemed :)
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