I moved about a month ago to a smaller house, with fewer rooms and less square footage. It’s also not sitting on 5 acres (so I guess I have to re-write my “About” page!) – in fact, it’s a townhouse, so I don’t even really have a yard.
I’ve sold several cars and there are more up on Craigslist. Plus ATV’s of various shapes and sizes.
We had 4 TV’s w/ cable boxes, now we have 2 (one in the living room and one in my bedroom). Same thing with computers – had a ton of ‘em, now there’s 2 in the house (one for me and one for my husband).
I gave away a truckload (literally) of books to the library, and another truckload of clothes. We filled two dumpsters trashing other stuff (pannini grill? GONE! Gazelle? GONE! etc.) out of the old house.
WHY “DOWNGRADE”?
Many of the things I once wanted – like a 5 acre farm nestled somewhere between oblivion and obscurity – I’ve since moved on from. It’s no longer what I wanted, but I somehow felt “stuck” in it, like,”This is ours now, so we have to take care of it….” And let me tell you, 5 acres is a lot of work!
The day I realized I didn’t necessarily have to stay there forever (DUH!) I starting preparing to move.
Because THAT freedom is the beauty of the “internet marketing lifestyle.” If there’s an internet connection, I’m working. We could live anywhere.
J-REEZY GOES HOMELESS
John Reese sent out an email message today about his own downgrading – he’s reduced his belongings to fit in a single backpack and sold off everything else, including his home!
Funny how people might be thinking the same things about their lives (like he and I were) without even speaking about it, blogging about it, etc. I know a few other folks in the business who are similarly liquidating and freeing themselves from the possessions they no longer need or want.
Maybe you’re thinking about it too?
POSSESSIONS AS RESPONSIBILITIES
I realized my whole family has acquired a lot of crap we don’t love, care for, need or even want anymore. Time to purge, time to pare down to the bare essentials and really simplify.
We have to remember that possessions aren’t a representation of ourselves. We don’t need to display works of literature on our shelves to show or prove we are learned people, or own many cars to display our wealth, etc. We also don’t need to save broken, old, damaged or unloved items “just in case” because this is a scarcity mentality hidden under the veil of being frugal.
The freedom that comes from this business is an incredible freedom. You work as much as you’d like, sometimes more, sometimes less. You earn what you put into it. You live anywhere, you vacation anywhere. You make incredible friends and are given opportunities and experiences you once could have only imagined.
But then sometimes we kill that freedom by burdening ourselves with lots of responsibilities in the way of possessions, or on the form of social and business obligations we really don’t care for but feel like we “have” to do.
THE EMPTY NEST
I decided not to take any of my old furniture with to the new house. Most of it has been beat up on and abused by small children for 7 years and it showing its age.
The day after we moved, I went to a local Ashley Furniture store, purchased everything we’d need for the new, smaller home. They said it would be here Monday (4 days later). It’s been 3 1/2 weeks now, still no furniture.
I could be really pissed. Sometimes when my kids are sitting at the kitchen island eating their dinner and I’m hovering over a counter with no place to sit I kinda am. A dining room table or a couch would be helpful!
But the furniture WILL get here eventually, even if they’re dragging their feet. And my getting upset about it only adds another element to my life that I have to “deal” with – in this case, I’d have to manage the emotion of being upset.
Plus, my family and I have had the benefit of getting by with little more than our clothes, toiletries and dishes to eat from for nearly a month. And that’s not a bad lesson to learn – everything else is really just a comfort.
We’ll really love those couches when they DO get here!
HOW TO HAVE FREEDOM
In order to enjoy the freedom that life gives you, you must not be mired down with unnecessary possessions, unnecessary social or business obligations or unnecessary emotions.
Simply remove those that are not serving you well.
Same goes with your business. Those sites, techniques, email subscriptions or tools that aren’t directly propelling you towards your end goal should be eliminated.
When only the things that are important and functional are in front of you, then you will only focus on and spend your time on the things that are important and functional.
You’ll reach your goals faster, enjoy the things you love and have time to experience the life you really want to live.
What can you eliminate today, personally and professionally?
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Did you read John Reese’s email today. He seems to have taken the same thinking to the extreme!
@Ed – Yes, I read John’s email and even talked about it in this post…
How funny. I thought I’d read the whole post! I skimmed though and missed a whole paragraph!
What a great post, Michelle. It really resonated with me, because between 2002-2005, I lost everything, including my health. Downsizing happened. Ironically, in some ways I felt more free during the following years than I ever did when I was stuck in a corporate cubicle. I learned to live on very little, and have no desire to ever be tied down the way I was in that previous life. I’m very happy with my new “live and work anywhere if I want to” lifestyle. Glad to see you are embracing a new freedom, too
This is refreshing to see and strange that here we have had similar discussions, it seems that our lives seem to get too full of noise and we feel refreshed when we have space to breath.
As many others did I got the John Reese email, I tell you what I am really impressed with him. This is going to be an incredible journey for him I’m sure. I wonder how he will change when he settles again?
I did write back to him, though he doesn’t have a clue who I am or I’m sure the many other compelled to congratulate him. Strangely offering him a bed for the night if he passes by – I know, I had no idea why I would do that to someone I do not know personally. I now have thoughts on what it must be like to have a nomadic lifestyle but still hooked into all the activities on the Internet, lonely and physically out of touch in one sense but totally in touch in another.
John was one of the first I remember to say to concentrate on one business and to get rid of all the clutter of previous domains. It seems that paradigm is spreading even now.
Is this all just an urge to get back to a more simple satisfying life?
“Stuff” is all distraction in the end.
Let’s hope more people drop the conspicuous consumption and just be happy within themselves.
My brother bought a couch from Ashley Furniture last January. He was hoping to get it in time for his annual Super Bowl party. The couch wasn’t delivered until March – 5 weeks after the scheduled delivery. He was pissed and vowed never to shop at Ashley Furniture again.
Great post… so often we end up working for things rather than the lifestyle we set out for in the first place. For me… having my family around all the time is the best reward ever
and some of the best times i have had were when we had virtually nothing. Those are the times that make us who we are today.
Michelle,
I enjoyed this post , i know for me holding on to stuff i didn’t need or that is just too much clutter was not allowing for new things, new ideas to come in. Simplify things and give the stuff you no longer need either thru Charity or a yard sale and let new money and things come into your life. I love the freedom I have now working from home and have a lot less clutter come in!
I have done the purge thing three times in my life. Each time it has been good for me. But right now I like my stuff. I want more stuff. If you guys are getting rid of your stuff I will take it.
Great post Michelle. Glad to see you back and in the swing of it again.
I feel I should point out that your posts are not showing up on the front page. Most likely something you are changing. But in case you were not aware.
I couldn’t agree more. I’m always encouraging people to not buy me things for my birthday, because chances are I don’t need (or want) it! I prefer to only have things I can use and I like being able to fit my possessions (besides large furniture) into one car. There’s a genuine freedom in not having “stuff”.
Yep. You nailed it. And I appreciate your candor in expressing the how’s and why’s of your move… I’ve been wondering.
So – check out how this is related, and I’m tagging on to the end of your post where you talked about focusing on important things.
See, most people think that focus is an unwavering, laser-like ability to concentrate on some thing, topic, or action.
That is NOT what focus is; Focus is the ability to artfully and consistently screen out distractions and get back on track.
All that stuff you describe, both possessions and connections unwanted and unneeded, and perhaps even unliked, are distractions. They take away from focus.
And you know what?-those distractions chip away at our quality of life.
I like stuff. I like connections. I have stuff and connections. But frankly, I’ve many times unmercifully shed stuff and cut connections. Ya gotta do what’s right for you; this is not the dress rehearsal for life.
My $0.02.
David
@David – ABSOLUTELY! And what might be a distracting possession for me might be a wonderful addition to your life. To each his own – we just have to, as you beautifully put it, “artfully screen out distractions and get back on track” whatever that means for us as individuals.
Re: the move – there were more reasons than just what was written here – more activities for the kids (and adults, for that matter) and we just got tired of being totally out of the loop and out of civilization. Taking an hour to get to Safeway gets real old after 5 years! And we love the Bay Area, we’re from the Bay area, our family is here and it’s home, in the end.
Hey Michelle!
I couldn’t resist chiming in when I saw you were appreciating the minimalist Lifestyle too. I’ve been at it for a while now (fully hopping from city to city with nowhere to hang my hat) and JR’s email today made me smile bigtime.
There is a guy named Karol Gajda who is really blogging hard about minimalism and was very inspiring to me. In fact the blogopshpere is full of minimalists, it’s been quite the growing trend, although harder to teach to us Americans than usual… We’ve been sold the McMansion vision of happiness since the 1950s.
Perhaps we, as successful internet marketers, should do more to teach this alternate vision to our followers. I know they didn’t ask me for it but more and more I have the desire to share it with them as you have today.
Cheers,
Luke
@Luke – Haven’t seen Karol’s stuff, will take a peek.
I’d totally go the route you did or John did if I didn’t have kids. That’s one of the reasons I love what Leo Babauta writes, as minimalism does look different for parents!
Oh there’s still hope yet… Your kids will surely leave the nest one day!
You can live minimalistic life with kids – I have done it and it produces amazing adults who value themselves and others for who they are not for what they own. And makes them very, very resourceful and bold.
Hey Luke!
Thanks for the mention!
Hey Leslie!
Guess where John got the idea for washing clothes in a bag from?
(I have a video about how to do it on my site.) We’ve been having lots of back and forths over the past few months regarding minimalism/travel. Good times! (I’m almost a year in to selling all my stuff and living out of a backpack.)
Cheers!
Karol
Michelle- What a great post. I too have been purging and rearranging my entire house, not quite as much purging as you have, but it still feels good. I agree – getting rid of the extra clutter gives you freedom!! The extra junk, stuff, emails, etc is just a distraction. Thanks for sharing! Glad you are in your new house and feeling better!
What a great post Michelle, I have been following you for years and never had an opportunity to tell you how grateful I am for you.
I always look forward to your emails, post and videos that you send out. I have learned so much from you over the years and watched you grow into what you are today.
Thanks so much and I pray you will be around for many years to come sharing your thoughts and ideas with us.
Frankie
We don’t own possessions – possessions own us. If you’re in need of anything I have a spare condo that’s just for storage. You’re welcome to any of it!
Interesting…. brings to mind certain phrases like ‘…having sustenance and covering, we shall be content with these things’, ‘do not be loving either the world, or the things in the world…the desire of the eyes, showy display of ones means of life..’ ~ Truth sometimes has a funny way of manifesting itself.
Very true James… both in business and personal affairs we need to keep these principles in mind so we do not become overwhelmed with trivialities… ‘the love of money is the root of injurious things’ and the accumulation of ‘things’ can consume so much of our time. Better to avoid the ‘anxiety… and deceptive power of riches’ and ‘make sure of the more important things’ in life’.
I make it a point of moving every 2-3 years (often countries and continents) and starting pretty much from scratch. I have noticed a very curious phenomenon. My empty space fills up with “stuff” really quickly and within 2-3 years it is overflowing again. The more I give away, the more I receive in one way or another. And also the better stuff I give away – the better stuff I get.
I think that the key is – to give away your stuff with love – it is easy if you can imagine the joy of a person that will receive it, AND to get rid of any fear associated with loosing your “stuff”.
I must say that having an internet business that I can take anywhere with me helps a lot. I always have money coming in no matter if I work or not, so the fear is not necessary.
I love my life
I recently revamped a condo on Kauai, mostly with stuff other people had put up on craigslist because they were moving on to another Life chapter. I’m SO glad I didn’t use Ashley Furniture!
The plan is to eventually make that our primary residence, at which time I’ll likely use craigslist to pass along my current stuff to some Bay Area folks who need it then. Cue Disney’s “Circle of Life”…
Good on you for making the change, and I hope you and your family enjoy the new, simpler lifestyle. And, thanks for the reminder: I definitely need to declutter my email inbox — BIG TIME. I need to get REALLY clear about what’s useful/necessary and what’s a waste of time/energy/money. I’m off to begin that now!
Great Post,
There truly is freedom in living like this, some I’ve met think this is a bohemian or pauper lifestyle. My rule of thumb was if I hadn’t used it,clothes, computers etc in the last year…It was either sold on craigslist or donated.
Being a recent empty nester, I rented out my 5 bedroom house and rented a room in an upscale neighborhood. Everything I need I took with me and everything else was sold or in storage.
Gotta love having an Internet Biz, been able to travel more thru Calif and still service clients..
Again,
Loved the post !!
Wow! You read my mind. I just finished reading “The 4 Hour Work Week” and have been thinking a lot about scaling down my own life. In the book he talks about getting rid of things. Work things, personal things, everything. Great post. Thank you for sharing.
BruceMcc
@ Bruce – now you are in trouble!
Reading 4HWW was how it all started for me!
How odd all this is coming up right now. I have been thinking about doing this very thing. Hold an estate sale, sell the house and start over with something much much smaller and simplify my life. Kids are in college so it should be as much of a challenge.
I’ve been culling my email lists as of the last two weeks and had already unsubcribed from John Reese so I did not receive that email. I have started dropping everyone who only provides affiliate promotions and nothing else. I’ve got a lot more to go.
Thanks for the post, it’s got me inspired!
Inspiring post Michelle – thank you. I highly recommend Vicki Robin’s website and teleclasses at http://www.YourMoneyOrYourLife.info (yes, she is the author of the seminal book).
In September she’ll be offering these classes:
Conscious Money Speakers Series – Weekly classes with an amazing line up of top speakers in new economy, new money, new frugality, and our money psychology and spirituality.
How Much is Enough of Anything? And How do we Know? In a more is better world – and in a time of economic instability – knowing how much is enough gives you power, peace and security.
went to your Fan page and could not find a link to join ??
Great post Michelle. I really enjoyed that one. I’m not a frequent visitor, but we’ve certainly a few mutual acquaintances. I’ve been doing a bit of an overhaul on my work area for sure anyhow. Less computers..less clutter…more focus. Thanx for sharing…it was a nice read.
Interesting post, in a good way…
I moved into a new place about 5 months ago, and all I’ve managed to do is hang 3 pictures, by a new desk, and my tech. Nice and clean.
I think a lot of people are feeling overwhelmed by everything and sometimes you just to clean out the cobwebs and leave it all behind.
Thanks for this post, and I love your blog!
Well said Michelle. Enjoyed this post. Appreciate your teaching style too. Keep up the great work!
Awesome and amen, sister. I love a good purge.
Ooooo, and the idea of getting rid of everything and fitting the rest into a backpack gives me tingles.
Wow so many of us are in the same boat. After my wife was laid off after 15 years, we were forced to change as well. I didn’t have too, mind you I could have simply taken on another client and life could go on. But I chose my time freedom and a simpler lifestyle instead and I am glad I did. Best move I ever made for my family and I love my wife being home with me and my son best of all. Thanks for sharing.
Smoky Muehlstein SEO/SEM/SMM Specialist
Great post I always believed that possessions are not all there cracked up to be. People and pets are more important than possessions. I might die poor but I be enriched by the people I meet.
Take Care
Michelle,
I love your warm, from the heart way of writing. And I agree with you about possessions. I downsized some six years ago and have been very pleased over my decision. We all need to be more focused on the things that make our lives better. I have owned every “toy” imaginable and it was good to know that I could afford them, but in the end, the joy I get from a life free of possessions has made my life richer. Today, I spend my time traveling in a very comfortable RV and made a good living from my laptop just steps away from my bed and from nature that surrounds me. Bravo on your article!
My husband and I really, really downsized about 5 years ago. We moved from cha cha Buckhead in Atlanta to a cottage that is on Lake Allatoona. Now I own the website for all of the lake’s information. It is freedom to get rid of all of that “stuff’ as George Carlen use to say…but watch out it all seems to creep back in slowly. Purge once a year and it will all work out. Congratulations for finding your freedom!
Free yourself by getting rid of “stuff”, ok. Could it be that you once accumulated this stuff for the very same reason – to feel free? It just happened at that time, perhaps long ago, that you needed to free yourself from lack (of stuff). Now you need to free yourself from “truckloads”. You know what? This, and especially the fact that other jump on this as well as if they were synchronized by invisible hands, reminds me of the socionomics theory by Bob Prechter. It basically says that you start to hate water if you are swamped by it but you love it if you get stuck in a desert … – so no surprise here. But I recommend you check out the socionomics thing because that’s about mood swings in society, exactly what happens here: we are going into a deflation/austerity epoch. Let think about how we can profit from that (I bet you have already figured this out)!!
Take care!
and now it’s time to start working on “not knowing”…;-)
Mtn Jim
Dear Mechelle,
It is refreshing to hear that people are choosing quality over quantity. I’ve always lived simply. I travel with only two carry on bags for my winter holidays of two to three months. It is surprising how little of our possessions we actually use .
Today in yoga class a thought hit me- I must make a list of all the things in my life that give me quality and all the things that take away quality in my life.
It is nearly midnight and I just finished watching the movie “The Bell and the Butterfly”. A movie to awaken ones’ consciousness.
Simplify, Simplify.
Take care,
Arthur
I’ve been reading Tynan’s blog at: http://tynan.net. He’s an internet marketer minimalist that lives/travels in a small RV when he’s in the US. When he travels internationally he just has a backpack.
I just got his book “Life Nomadic” from amazon, which gives details on how to get rid of everything, travel extensively and have a wonderful life of freedom. It’s very inspiring!
If I got rid of my husband, the clutter in my life would disappear instantly…*sigh* How great would that be. Too bad I actually love him just about as much as I am sick of him…
Great article. Thanks for writing.
@CJ – ROFL!!!! I can relate at times, my husband is a man of many hobbies!
You were too kind to let that comment remain on your page. I knew I was taking a huge change writing that way. I’m actually a nice person with a great family, but marriage can definitely add to the clutter if your spouse is not an internet marketer too as thus does not understand my mind or why I am like I am now. I’ve definitely changed a lot since entering this world, and I think the changes are for the better.
I enjoy a streamlined life and would much rather drive somewhere with my hair out and the top down and the sun shining full on my skin than be protected, inside, watching movies all day.
Life is meant to be lived. People are meant to be loved and experienced…and this lifestyle helps me to stay connected to all that is true.
Who would have EVER thought that the internet would help people be more connected to reality?? Craziness…
Thanks again, Michelle. You’re wonderful, and I pray much success for your business.
cj
If I’ve learned any of life’s ultimate truths – it’s that there’s basically two types of people: Accumulators – and Eliminators. And woe to those who partner with their opposite! But it’s not a fixed thing. For some it’s forced changes in life that demand losing all the cr*p in our lives, for others a conscious decision. Others drag it ALL with them to their grave. Less is More!
P.S. Special kudos to Michelle who inspired and gave me the courage to dump sites and domains that just weren’t worth the energy. Even ‘Virtual Internet Real Estate’ can weigh you down..
Hey there…thanks for this. I understand what you are saying. Definitely.
I think what I was trying to get across is that, in my personal experience, there are soooo many more types of people than any title we can choose to put out there. Accumulator. Eliminator. Criticizer (sp??). Faith-er.
Smiler. Crier….they are all in this world with us, and we are at our best when we can interact with everyone. Label-free.
Even labels are clutter, because our minds try to make people neat and tidy and lump them into one place when, in actuality, we are constantly changing. Who I was last year, I am not right now. Yes, my core is intact, but how I interact with my world has changed drastically. It’s more than live and let live.
It’s just…live….
My husband is a great man. A phenomenal man. And he is in the US Army. He works for a huge mind-meld machine. Our government. People in this machine do not think for themselves as a whole. They basically do what they are told to do…even at the highest levels. It’s rare to find an independent thinker in the military or government occupational structure, and as much as I honor his commitment and dedication to our country, I can also see how it is killing his creativity, passion, and uniqueness. That hurts. Each year, his brilliant mind gets a little more lost. I mean…thinking and dreaming might actually be painful to him if he did it too much because reality is that he is not free. Yet.
And there is the challenge. It’s not a struggle for us as much as it is a process…of me learning how best to communicate with him and honor his role as my precious (though thorn-in-my-side) lover and husband…and of him learning how to see that, right now, he cannot experience life as I do…because he is not yet free.
The knowledge is not one-sided. He gives me great perspectives that I would not have if we were not married. The vast majority of the world is cluttered. I am…we are…in the minority.
Once he is retired and no longer deploying to war, things will be different. My first post, though short and maybe humorous, was an oversimplification of the truth of our family…that we live two different lives right now and we both have value to offer one another, even when we don’t immediately enjoy what the other is offering.
Thanks, Shawna, for your response. Sorry for my earlier brevity. That was probably unfair to my hubby. I hope I was more clear in this post. Best to you!!
(Wow, Michelle…you really touched something special here…)
cj
One of your best posts yet, Michelle. I’ve been thinking heavily about this the last few months. Free and flexible is the only way to live! The more you own, in many cases, means the more you’re confined to. What good is making a killing online if you still can’t do what you want, when you want? It was interesting to learn how many top marketers had little flexibility, unlike the images they portray.
We’re in a great business with an unparalleled lifestyle opportunity and we should pursue experience. At the end of the day, that’s really all you have. Can’t tell you how many times I look through my photos at everywhere I’ve been and the experiences I’ve had because of being an IM-er. Hard to put a price on being able to pick-up and go at the drop of a hat, too.
The fact that all we need is a laptop and internet connection to make the magic happen is amazing. You were one of the original gangstas that inspired me to kick-ass on the web. Continued prosperity Michelle. You deserve it
Hi Michelle
Agree, agree, and most definitely if you can do it by choice and not out of necessity. Necessity was me a year ago but I see it now as a blessing in disguise.
Best wishes
Anne
What a wonderful read! I have been going through the same process myself. I decided about a year ago that I only want to own the things that I use on a daily bases. Nothing more!
I often look at the beautiful shoe cabinet I bout that holds all the shoes I never wear and wonder why. I think it will be the last piece of furniture to go since it is such a great reminder. Oh, and the wine cabinet too. silly silly things
I have even considered going as far as getting ride of my car. Now that I work from home it just sits in the garage. But maybe that might be going a little to far.
Always remember Less Is More!
Simplified lifestyle is the way to go. I have trimmed down to two vehicles and can pack everything I own into a backpack if I need to. I
my main tool is the laptop and second the iPhone. Good post. Always more to share when trimming down to what works.
There must be something in the air because today I put my car on Craig’s list and packing boxes to give away everything except what will fit into my backpack and one very small suitcase:)
I’ve been a minimalist for years, and 3 years in one place has always been my calling card. Now it’s time to move on again and the only thing that had my stomach churning was putting that ad up to sell my car.
Where to go? Who knows, the wind and road will tell me when I’m there…it’s an adventure and I’m due one. Have passport, will travel.
LET US KNOW WHERE YOU END UP !
I believe everyone should be forced to move ever 2/3 years – the junk thrown out would put all the furniture stores out of business though LOL. I moved into a new townhouse last weekend – not from a farm – but still from a large house which we’d owned for 12 years but after 3 years overseas living either in a tent or a small apartment we came back to and went – why are we paying to house all this junk!
Shopping isn’t a hobby – its an evil vice which force many people to stay in jobs they hate just to pay for it all! If minimalism catchs on in the US I worried for the future of capitalism (but I don’t think it will
)
Interesting post, Michelle. We chatted before – I have the 4 acres with all the quail. Had a great hatch this year with new ones still coming.
The place is a lot of work but it will be more appreciated now since our kids and granddaughters are moving back in. The economy sucks, but we get the benefit of an extended family instead. The girls trade living over a frozen yogurt shop and two blocks from the pool to having fruit trees outside their door, a garden and room to play.
We’ve all had to shed possessions to make room for another family, but all the amusements are not worth one morning snuggle with your grand daughter. I’m sure your new, closer and more personal relationships be equally valuable.
Now that you’ve offloaded your possessions and down sized your accommodation you likely reduce your income needs, also. Many people not unlike yourself start to invest in passive energy systems, composting toilets, self replicating food gardens, passive architecture, and tap into the massive alternate trading economies around the world. Rich people in Hong Kong grow organic food for themselves and start trading for organic meats, etc. I have lived out of a suitcase for the past 7 years traveling throughout China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand teaching English to children from poor families. I worked as I went but thanks the internet I don’t need to work any more so I can do it for free. The conditions are primitive but the results are astounding. Do you know that an average of 3 children a day are killed in each of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam from unexploded cluster munitions from the Vietnam war and post war retribution by Nixon. Then there’s the 10 or so permanently disabled. Just do the math 1972 to 2010 = 38 years X 365 = 13870 X 3 deaths a day = 41,610 x 3 for the three countries = 124,830. They died but there’s 10 who were and are still being permanently disabled; again the math 13870 X 10 X 3 = 416,100. Then there’s the children of the 2 Million slaughtered by Pol Pot who was installed by the Thais and funded and trained by the CIA. The war that was a started by JFK and the lie by Lyndon Johnson about the US ship being attacked and perpetuated by Nixon. And when they were defeated by mutiny in field, what did they, your government elected by your parents, do? They carpet bombed all three countries with cluster munitions from B52s 3 miles up. If you go there today it’s like stepping back to that time, the feeling in the air the atmosphere of the panic of barely surviving. The apathy of a war 30 years past still prevalent. Sorry to be so down tone but I’ve been there, lived there recently, and well, your talk of downsizing is absurd! Princess Diana was assassinated just before she was about to force the US Pentagon to clean up their war garbage across the world. She was a true Fairy Tale Princess but the BIG BAD BOOGIE MAN took her out just before we ALL got to live happily ever after! Who wants to come with me?
Wow, there must be something going around. A week ago I threw everything in storage, moved out of my apartment and moved to Asia for a while. I’m writing this from a hotel room Lanzhou, China.
For any of you digital nomads thinking of relocating to Lanzhou China (that is if you could find it) just a couple words of warning – No Facebook, No Google, No Wikipedia. But the internet is surprisingly fast and you can get great Chinese food for two for about a buck!
@ Chris – and don’t forget about “No Dropbox” too
I get your drift. Posessions can posess you. But I don’t know if that counts for books, or for paintings, or for a grand piano [ if music is important ], or for any tools of any trade whatever you have a passion for.
All these material goodies are totally ok. Nothing wrong with it. As long as they don’t live you.
simply wonderful.
i wuz beginning to wonder as to when even the *big wigs* would actually *get* what the *real* internet lifestyle is all about
)) very refreshing indeed…
i mean, how much *stuff* does one really need??!!??
nothing against having gear, but a lot is exactly that…BAGGAGE!!!
It is amazing how one’s values change when you have attained/achieved certain goals.
It is a cycle that one goes through. There is nothing wrong to want quantity – get it then to swop it for quality. In fact, it is normal
Awesome read. So true and so helpful. I will start working on these tips right away.
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