Imagine no Possessions...

Jeanwah
Jeanwah Posts: 6,363
edited December 2010 in A Moving Train
Today pretty much reminds us of John Lennon's words and the subject above resonates with me as I try to live as a minimalist (except when I'm given tons of 2nd hand belongings which I give away). But I'm wondering how us thinkers in MT feel about 'stuff' in general.

Could you live without many of your possessions? Americans are very attached to their things and we consume 1/3 of the world's consumables. Anyone else here think about living with less, and how our things don't truly make us happy? Because they don't...
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Comments

  • Godfather.
    Godfather. Posts: 12,504
    all the time, cell phones- cable t.v- my bike..? ouch-computer at home-internet bill-credit cards..there are so many thing I did just fine with out back in the day.

    Godfather.
  • lukin2006
    lukin2006 Posts: 9,087
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvgN5gCuLac
    I have certain rules I live by ... My First Rule ... I don't believe anything the government tells me ... George Carlin

    "Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
  • maj4e
    maj4e Posts: 605
    Minimalist here. I've given away/sold pretty much all but a core group of possessions. If it weren't for wife and kids I'd totally live in a one room hovel and be perfectly happy.
  • mikepegg44
    mikepegg44 Posts: 3,353
    Jeanwah wrote:
    Today pretty much reminds us of John Lennon's words and the subject above resonates with me as I try to live as a minimalist (except when I'm given tons of 2nd hand belongings which I give away). But I'm wondering how us thinkers in MT feel about 'stuff' in general.

    Could you live without many of your possessions? Americans are very attached to their things and we consume 1/3 of the world's consumables. Anyone else here think about living with less, and how our things don't truly make us happy? Because they don't...


    I don't think owning things in necessarily a bad thing, the problem becomes evident when you start to identify your self-worth by those things. I have a lot of stuff simply because I never throw anything away, but I would be just fine tomorrow with nothing(except internet access). I really hope people start understanding how to be okay with nothing, because it really is the only way to be okay at all. The only things that truly matter cannot be measured by stuff anyway.
    that’s right! Can’t we all just get together and focus on our real enemies: monogamous gays and stem cells… - Ned Flanders
    It is terrifying when you are too stupid to know who is dumb
    - Joe Rogan
  • release23420
    release23420 Posts: 1,176
    could do with out everything but my surfboard /soccer ball/pillow/ blanket/ lighter :mrgreen: / an this key this aussie gave me,,
  • polaris_x
    polaris_x Posts: 13,559
    we definitely have too much stuff ... but the problem of stuff goes far beyond what are needs and wants are ... it's the basis for exploitation and greed ... for example ... it's one thing to buy something electronic but it's another to know that they are made to last ... they are made to be disposed of and to be bought again in relative short periods of time ... that is the saddest part of stuff ...
  • Jason P
    Jason P Posts: 19,374
    The easiest way to become a minimalist is to buy a house ... then you won't have any extra money to buy possessions :D

    I've been working towards this approach, but not to the extremes that some might. Baby steps for now.
    Be Excellent To Each Other
    Party On, Dudes!
  • Godfather.
    Godfather. Posts: 12,504
    Jason P wrote:
    The easiest way to become a minimalist is to buy a house ... then you won't have any extra money to buy possessions :D

    I've been working towards this approach, but not to the extremes that some might. Baby steps for now.

    good luck on your house !

    Godfather.
  • cajunkiwi
    cajunkiwi Posts: 984
    http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/innovation ... tml?hpt=C1

    You might find that an interesting read - Steve Wozniak essentially says people have become too reliant on technology... and partially blames himself... even though he admits to carrying five cellphones
    And I listen for the voice inside my head... nothing. I'll do this one myself.
  • Jason P
    Jason P Posts: 19,374
    Godfather. wrote:
    Jason P wrote:
    The easiest way to become a minimalist is to buy a house ... then you won't have any extra money to buy possessions :D

    I've been working towards this approach, but not to the extremes that some might. Baby steps for now.

    good luck on your house !

    Godfather.
    Thank you. But to be truthful, it has been a wakeup call for me. A house could be considered the ultimate possession, but at least it is an investment. I've been trying to learn new skills to help cut down on costs and conserve energy. It's an older house that could use some remodeling to modernize it, but I found that checking out the local auctions and yard sales can add some nice decor for little impact on the pocket book. Plus most of the stuff is more unique and has better workmanship then the stuff from places like the Pottery Barn.

    But my first step to reducing my possessions is ending my love affair with tech. Polaris was right on the money when he noted the extremely short life span of todays tech items. New TV's have a 3-5 year shelf life if you are lucky. My aunt and uncle still have a working Zenith TV that was made in Bloomington, IN about 35 years ago. Besides tech stuff, I really just have some guitars, my bicycle and my hiking gear . . . and about 15 mystery boxes / time capsules that I've been lugging around for ten years. :D
    Be Excellent To Each Other
    Party On, Dudes!
  • tinkerbell
    tinkerbell New Zealand Posts: 2,161
    I have moved 5 times in the past 6 years so have become good at not hoarding things, and purging everytime we move - I give a lot to the charity shops. We are not a materialistic family, all of our furniture is second hand - either hand me downs from family or picked up on the cheap. I don't place my own self worth on my possessions but unfortunately most of my generation do.
    My most valuable possessions are my photos, guitar and a painting my Dad did for me.
    all you need is love, love is all you need
  • catefrances
    catefrances Posts: 29,003
    i could live without all my possessions except my books, music and camera. un/fortunately thats all the possessions ive got. :shock: :lol:
    hear my name
    take a good look
    this could be the day
    hold my hand
    lie beside me
    i just need to say
  • BinauralJam
    BinauralJam Posts: 14,158
    I like my Stuff.
  • Byrnzie
    Byrnzie Posts: 21,037
    All I need are a p.c, my records and books. In fact, that's pretty much all I have.
  • Commy
    Commy Posts: 4,984
    Byrnzie wrote:
    All I need are a p.c, my records and books. In fact, that's pretty much all I have.
    same.
  • Kel Varnsen
    Kel Varnsen Posts: 1,952
    Jeanwah wrote:
    Today pretty much reminds us of John Lennon's words and the subject above resonates with me

    Not to stray too far off topic, but I always thought it was kind of weird that a guy who wrote a song about imagining having no posessions, also had a custom painted Rolls Royce Phantom V limosine.
  • ajedigecko
    ajedigecko \m/deplorable af \m/ Posts: 2,431
    i like my possessions........they just do not possess me.

    my possessions have allowed me to experience many exciting places.

    actually.....i imagine having more possessions, resulting in many more experiences.

    i do not have a custom painted rolls royce though.........that escapes my imagination.
    live and let live...unless it violates the pearligious doctrine.
  • Jeanwah
    Jeanwah Posts: 6,363
    ajedigecko wrote:
    i like my possessions........they just do not possess me.

    my possessions have allowed me to experience many exciting places.

    actually.....i imagine having more possessions, resulting in many more experiences.

    i do not have a custom painted rolls royce though.........that escapes my imagination.

    You don't need possessions to experience anything, that's the point.
  • ajedigecko
    ajedigecko \m/deplorable af \m/ Posts: 2,431
    Jeanwah wrote:
    ajedigecko wrote:
    i like my possessions........they just do not possess me.

    my possessions have allowed me to experience many exciting places.

    actually.....i imagine having more possessions, resulting in many more experiences.

    i do not have a custom painted rolls royce though.........that escapes my imagination.

    You don't need possessions to experience anything, that's the point.
    you obviously have not been at 14,000 feet for any duration of time....or the desert.
    live and let live...unless it violates the pearligious doctrine.
  • Jeanwah
    Jeanwah Posts: 6,363
    ajedigecko wrote:
    Jeanwah wrote:
    ajedigecko wrote:
    i like my possessions........they just do not possess me.

    my possessions have allowed me to experience many exciting places.

    actually.....i imagine having more possessions, resulting in many more experiences.

    i do not have a custom painted rolls royce though.........that escapes my imagination.

    You don't need possessions to experience anything, that's the point.
    you obviously have not been at 14,000 feet for any duration of time....or the desert.

    You are totally missing the point. Nevermind.

    You don't have to possess an airplane to fly in one. :roll:

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