Minimalism

Why I chose to embrace Minimalism? I want more then just stuff in my life. I want adventure, I want experiences, I want more time. How did I first learn about the idea? Years ago, I watched the Ted talk Graham Hill: Less stuff, more happiness. However, I wasn't ready to change. Yes, I donated some clothes to Goodwill, but I still wasn't thinking why I was donating. The motivation behind getting rid of stuff was that I could not use it anymore.  It gave me room to buy another item.

But as I got older I have realized that stuff is just stuff.  I could never use it all. So why should I keep it? What good does it do? When I moved to college, no one could even tell I had moved. My closets (yes plural) were still completely full.

My goal over the next year to only have two large suitcase. Will I achieve this goal? I don't know. Probably not. However by setting reach goals it becomes much easier to achieve smaller goals.  How will I achieve this goal?  I will try to trash, sell or donate 4 items a week. Also, as I am trying to embrace Minimalism,  I will ask why with each new purchase. I will go back to photographing and recording on here what I buy so each new piece.  I will ask why did I buy this? I will not purchase clothing because it looks good on me or "what if." What if is just bad planning. If I need something fast there is 1 day shipping or the mall.

I want to be able to travel. I spent time in study abroad programs and could only bring one or two suitcase for five weeks. Was I unhappy, no.  Did I need more clothes. Yes, at times but it didn't stop me from living my life.  Also the final idea that brought me, a fashion major, to the idea that Minimalism is a great experiment is I'm not losing an item, I'm giving it to someone that needs it more then me. Why keep a dress to sit in my closet when it could be worn by someone else tomorrow?