Edited: There's a new post here about the recent Milwaukee visit by The Minimalists. [2014]
Thankful that I had the chance to meet The Minimalists this week in Milwaukee! I love their writing and am in awe of how their lives changed so much in the past year. We were introduced to Joel Runyon of the Blog of Impossible Things who has a fascinating story about doing the impossible! His blog is a whole community in itself!
the official meetup
The Minimalists spoke about how they got rid of extra items in their life in order to focus on priorities: health, relationships, following your passion, and helping others.
Josh, Ryan and Joel were all quite personable, open about their lives and genuinely interested in each person in attendance. A lively discussion was had about a myriad of topics - including how families react to someone becoming a minimalist (the good and the bad), is getting rid of "stuff" all there is to being a minimalist?, and digging into the purpose of The Minimalists. What a great evening! Some of us did try to keep all three of them there with us forever, but we had to settle for agreeing to have another Milwaukee meetup on our own without Joshua, Ryan or Joel.
personal application I’ve spent 2011 reacting to most things in my life. The only areas where I actively participate are in ministry/volunteering with teens and the media team at church. There I’m happy, engaged, and have a purpose. At home with finances, health and relationships, I’ve been pretty laid back and have chosen to merely react to those around me and to my life circumstances. I’d like to be more intentional about everything in my life.
health While I do work out a few times a week, I'd like it to be more consistent and would like to make it automatic, something that doesn't need to be dwelt upon. If a stranger were to ask me if I worked out today, I'd like it to be less like a trophy ("Why yes, sir, thank you for asking. I did work out today. I ran two miles and lifted one weight and here's my blog entry all about it!") and more of something I simply do as part of my daily routine then forget about it until the next day.
household Spending too much time thinking about cleaning and planning for it takes too much emotional energy. But when I follow the simple routines FlyLady lays out in daily emails (morning routine! before bed routine!), it should become automatic. I want to remove any thinking about tidying up and cleaning that my apartment needs and just do it. (Fun Fact: Leo Babuta of Zen Habits is also a fan of FlyLady.)
I am a thinker. My mind buzzes with thoughts while analyzing everything under the sun... so naturally, I can come up with stunning plans to work out, keep my apartment clean and strengthen relationships with family and friends..but without follow through, all that planning is for naught.
Thank you, Josh, Ryan and Joel, for organizing the meetup in Milwaukee!
Have a great weekend and Happy New Year!
~ Sunny
Have a great weekend and Happy New Year!
~ Sunny
edited: New plan. Eliminate all the extra "stuff" from my home, car and office, and function with only the items in my life that are loved, used, and needed. If i had the guts to do a packing party, I would.
