Mini Minimalist Interview: Alicia

Today's Mini Minimalist Interview is with Alicia from Kansas City. Alicia and I were born in the same hospital three days apart, met five years later and have been friends ever since! We were roommates for several years recently until she got married:

1. What is your current living situation?
   Married in an apartment


2. What do you think of when you think of "minimalism"?
   Getting rid of crap you don't need/want


3. What about daily life can be stressful? What do you like about daily life?
   Cleaning up clutter around the house/having a lot of things to do making my day really busy to the point of no breathing. Getting a good night's rest the night before and feeling like I have some important tasks to achieve and then feeling good at the end of the day that I achieved all or most of them.
   


4. What are some of your hobbies? Do you collect anything?
   Teaching fitness classes/reading/hanging out with friends. And I don't collect anything.


5. What are some of your most prized possessions?
   My downtime, free time, my husband ;)


6. What are one or two things about life you'd like to "minimize"?
   I would like to be not so busy but currently I like the things I'm doing and feel like life is for the most part balanced.


7. Any other thoughts?
   I definitely like the idea of minimizing stuff and living a more simple life. Jeff and I don't have cable or even bunny ears right now. We do have Netflix and I just like not having to HAVE to watch a show at a certain time. It's very freeing. Plus I just think that there isn't much that I want to watch on TV.

Mini Minimalist Interview: Britt

Today's Mini Minimalist Interview features Britt from Lawrence, Kansas. I met Britt through Cassy (April 2nd's interviewee). Britt blogs over at Snapurly:

1. What is your current living situation?
   I currently live in a house. Having lived in a dorm, three apartments, a townhouse, and two houses during my adult life, the house is by far my favorite residence. It is bigger than the rest (always helpful for those nights you have friends over for game/movie night or want to be home but not around your roommate and their significant other during their date night); you can enjoy the pleasure of having your own yard; and you do not have to use the cable and utility providers that are forced upon you in a more communal setting. However, a house is also the worst for a minimalist. There are more spaces (basement, garage, extra closets, cabinets, possibly sheds) to hide your stuff and mask the fact that you are a maximumist.


2. What do you think of when you think of "minimalism"?
   Before a couple of years ago, the first thing that I would think of when I heard minimalist was someone who was either a nomad or had nomad-like tendencies. They didn't have a lot because they 1) didn't have a lot of money and 2) were constantly moving for one reason or another. However, I have altered my definition in recent years. Now, I consider a minimalist someone who is not materialistic. They are disciplined enough to only purchase what they need and nothing else.


3. What are some of your hobbies? Do you collect anything?
   One of the primary ways I display my maximumist ways is my DVD and book collections. I love a good story and because of this accumulated a nice bunch of each over the years. Instead of going to the library to borrow a book I desired to read, I bought it from the store. Instead of renting from the video store, I purchased the movie from a retail store. Even after several trips to Hastings to sell some books and DVD's, I still have an above average collection of both mediums in my possession.


4. What are one or two things about life you'd like to "minimize"?
   I would like to minimize two things in my life: the amount of stuff I own and the amount of time I spend on things that are not value-added. I come from two parents who I love but skew towards the "packrat" end of the spectrum. It is no surprise, then, that I have a similar habit myself. It always amazes me, and will amaze me in a few months once more, that whenever I move, I have a lot of stuff? I don't recall getting all of it, but yet there it is in front of me. What's worse, I don't recall using over half of it in the past month or two! If I don't need it, then what's the point of having it? I also desire to cut out the time I spend on things that are frankly, time wasters. There is nothing wrong with sitting down and watching a TV show or reading a book. But if I am watching 2-4 hours of TV a night, or spending all evening reading only fiction novels, that is taking away from things that could help me grow as a person: exercising, reading my Bible, getting tasks done around the house, developing relationships with friends and family, etc. This is not always the case with me, but let's say it occurs more frequently than I would like.


5. Any other thoughts?
   One last thought on maximumism. In my opinion there is a direct correlation between being a maximumist and debt. As I look around and take an inventory of my stuff, all I see are dollar signs. I have wasted so much money buying things that I wanted but didn't need. Now, those things just sit around gathering dust and even if I sell them, will make back only a small percentage of what I paid for it. I have learned my lesson and am in the midst of paying off the debt currently on my books but what really irks me is that it did not have to be that way. I have a couple of friends who would most certainly qualify as minimialists and guess what? They are both debt free. There is no greater motivation to working towards becoming a minimalist than to be in the same position they are right now.

Mini Minimalist Inteview: Laura

Today's Mini Minimalist Interview features my friend Laura from Lawrence, Kansas. I've known Laura as long as I can remember!

1. What is your current living situation?
   Single, living in my parent's house


2. What do you think of when you think of "minimalism"?
   Reducing the amount of items (physical possessions or events or activities) in at least one area of your life.


3. What about daily life can be stressful? What do you like about daily life?
   Meeting deadlines because I failed to plan ahead enough, or leave on time. I like how flexible and different my schedule is each day.  I have a different class schedule each day, some days I get to sleep in, take a nap in the afternoon, or lately I have been able to spend the day outside when it is nice (rather than having to be inside an office building all day).


4. What are some of your hobbies? Do you collect anything?
   My biggest hobby is traveling. My flexible schedule allows me to take long weekends trips to visit friends and family around the country.  I get to travel more extensively and internationally during my long summer breaks.
   
   I would say that Facebook is another one of my hobbies.  If I am on my computer (which is very often) I will almost always have Facebook pulled up.  I like being up to date on what is going on in my friends' lives.
   
   I don't think I collect anything....I used to collect a lot of cow stuff and interesting looking glass bottles but those both resulted in me having so many little things around my room that I stopped that years ago :)
   
   
5. What are some of your most prized possessions?
   I love the pictures that I have on my computer and in hard copy. I also love to have hard copies of books that I really like.


6. What are one or two things about life you'd like to "minimize"?
   I should minimize my Tshirt collection. I have multiple drawers of Tshirts, most of which I collected throughout high school and college.  I do not wear a ton of Tshirts anymore but every time I go to clean out the drawers, each shirt is associated with an event or memory and I can't make myself give it away.


7. Any other thoughts?
   Over the last three years I have been successful in consciously minimizing one area of my life - my activities.  I am proud that I have learned how to "say no" and not pack an over amount into my weekly schedule.  When I am tempted to fill an open time slot in my week, I try to remember how wonderful it is to have that extra time to do my work or just take a moment to relax.  I hope that I will never go back to being one of those people who choose to fill up their schedule so that they are living in a constantly frazzled state of mind.

Mini Minimalist Interview: Carol

This week's Mini Minimalist Interview features Carol from Oskaloosa, Kansas. I met Carol through cardio-kickboxing fitness classes:

1. What is your current living situation?
   Built and own a single family house on 20 acres in a somewhat economically depressed county.
   


2. What do you think of when you think of "minimalism"?
   The opposite of excessive or ostentatious - beautiful in simplicity and functionality.  Functional being the best item (not necessarily the cheapest) for its purpose, more not being better.
   


3. What about daily life can be stressful? What do you like about daily life?
   Since the majority of my time seems to be taken up by my job - most of the stress is the constant requests for help.  Fortunately, the most enjoyable thing is being able to help.  Being in a job that can double as service to people is very rewarding. Living in the country away from people can balance it out.


4. What are some of your hobbies? Do you collect anything?
   Sewing, gardening, reading & healthy cooking. I have a large collection of vintage drapery fabric, clothing and doilies. Also vintage Fiestaware dishes.


5. What are some of your most prized possessions?
   The above collections plus my iPad and iPhone. These being tools of 2 different career paths.  Though maintaining all the right tools in order to do a job can be stressful as in "I have 3 sewing machines, why am I not making more clothes, gifts, etc." 


6. What are one or two things about life you'd like to "minimize"?
   After being the recipient of a lot of stuff from older relatives downsizing their households, I have gained a lot of stuff I like, but never thought of acquiring in the first place.  This is cautionary - by accepting items that someone else owned for a long time, you take on that responsibility and history. This makes the items very hard to get rid of.  Just because people remember who sat on your sofa in 1925 & it is a very beautiful piece & they don't make them like that anymore does not mean it is anywhere near comfortable (meaningful, but not functional).  On the other hand, ending up with a bunch of miscellaneous stuff lets me sell on eBay and create a PayPal "mad money" account that I can use to turn around and buy something I really like. 


7. Any other thoughts?
   Finding functional, well made, affordable items in America is tough. Getting rid of items in America is tougher. Anyone interested in a vintage mahogany piano that does not hold a tune well? 

Elsewhere on the Interwebs

There's a great series this week on Becoming Minimalist of minimalism stories. Here's Monday's. All are good reads!

Another article I ran across details another day in a couple's journey to declutter. One things that struck me about this article in particular was the occurrence of the past tense for describing items instead of the present tense. Shouldn't we describe the items in our homes & offices with the present tense, meaning we use them on a regular basis?

And on a completely non-minimalist tangent, here's a really cool map (originally shared by the Everyday Minimalist) showing whether it seems better to buy or rent based on economic statistics & geography. If you mouse over the dots, a pop up will show the city and stats.

Mini Minimalist Interview #1: Cassy

Welcome to the first edition of Mini Minimalist Interviews! Featured today is my friend Cassy from Lawrence, KS. Cassy was one of my first friends in public high school after I was homeschooled for five years:

1. What is your current living situation?
   I currently live in a home with my husband, cat, and dog.  We have a small (1200 sq. foot) three bedroom home.  It's bigger than most apartments I've lived in!
   


2. What do you think of when you think of "minimalism"?
   I think "minimalism" means living with what you need and not excess.  For me, I try to live in a clutter free home.  We have a rule that if something hasn't been used in a year, it gets pitched.  This includes clothes, movies, whatever.  It seems like too many people in America live like hoarders, with stuff strewn everywhere.  I personally would like to have less stuff.  
   
   
3. What about daily life can be stressful? What do you like about daily life? 
   In our culture daily life can mean a lot: work, school, activities, hobbies, health, eating, keeping up with relationships, and whatever you want to squeeze in there.  Our lives are complex and rapidly adapting to changes.  This naturally leads to stress.  I work in a hospital critical care setting so some some days I am truly dealing with emergencies back to back.  But for my most part I feel like life is rewarding.  We get out of life what we put in.  If you don't like your current situation, you have the power to change it. 


4. What are some of your hobbies? Do you collect anything?
   I prefer the term "interests."  I am interested in being healthly - so for me that includes jogging, elliptical training, walking my dog, and eating whole foods.  I have an interest in the arts - indie music, painted art, and anything design-wise thats unique.  I wish I could paint but unfortunately I have not been blessed with that talent so I joyfully observe it.  Lastly I have an interest in my actual job - the science behind how our bodies and specific therapies work.  I have three critical care journals I read.  If I have a specific interest in a topic, I look up what I want to know on a couple of online medical databases I have access to.  
   
   
   
   As far as collections, I honestly hate them.  Collections in my mind equal junk.  If I'm not using something in my house, I want it thrown out.  However, if I'm being totally honest, I do have a "collection" of seasonal decor.  It does get used yearly though so it still fits my lifestyle.


5. What are some of your most prized possessions?
   I would like to think that if my house was burning down to the ground, I would just want to make sure I grab my pets, my mac (my beloved computer with everything I've ever worked on), and my phone.  Anything else could truly be replaced.  I do, however, love my comfortable temperpedic bed and any comfortable yet fashionable clothing item.  I'm learning I'd rather have a few really awesome items rather than a lot of junk that I don't really care for.
   
   
6. What are one or two things about life you'd like to "minimize"?
   The biggest thing I'd like to minimize in my life is TV.  In the past two years I have watched more TV than I have in my life.  The male gender is particularly fond of sports, which requires a cable package.  Unfortunately this leads to a lot of wasted, unhealthy amount of time sitting in front of a TV.  It's something I keep an open dialogue with my husband about.  
   
   
   The second thing I need to minimize is work.  I have an unhealthy edge to the term workaholic.  I like whatever I do to be done well.  Unfortunately in a salaried job that leads to a lot of extra hours spent working on things most would walk away from.  
   
   
7. Any other thoughts?
   Mostly I think Americans as a whole tend to try to cram a lot in their lives.  We want to do everything and own everything.  Not only is it unhealthy, but it's unrealistic.  I also think there is so much value it digitalizing what we do own - magazines, books, movies.  We have an opportunity to not be so wasteful of paper and other products in our lives.