Editor’s Note: This is a post in the series, Simplicity in Action.
Sheila
2013 wasn’t the year I expected it to be. In late 2012, I graduated with my Master’s, started my doctorate, and began a new job—my dream job. The new job lasted for only six weeks before I was laid off. Then I began several miserable months of unemployment. During this time, besides wallowing and fervently searching for a job, I had to go overseas for family reasons. Luckily, I had some savings for the unexpected trip, and there I was—traveling to the other side of the world with just a small piece of luggage and handbag. While overseas, not only did I have my mind off of disheartening unemployment, but I also turned to minimalism.
On the island country where I was located, I don’t think the word “minimalism” is even used—it’s their way of life. Homes were simply made and had just the basics: table and chairs in the kitchen; a couch, table, and maybe a television in the living room; and a bed and nightstand in the bedroom. On average, people had a dozen items in their wardrobe, including two pairs of shoes—a pair of sandals and a pair of tennis shoes.
Food had simple, fresh ingredients: fresh rice, fresh fish or other meat, fresh vegetables, and fresh fruit—all caught, bought, or made on the same day or from the day before. Water was the choice of drink; sodas were available but only in glass bottles that were used and returned to recycle. There was minimal waste. Even entertainment was simple and included singing, dancing, walking, or playing cards. Work didn’t consume their lives; they worked to live—not lived to work. Family was the center of their lives. The people I met did not have much “stuff,” but they had full, happy lives.
My world was turned upside-down. I yearned for the simplicity and minimalistic aspects of their island life. I knew that upon arriving back to the States, I couldn’t exactly emulate what they had, but I want to simplify and minimize every aspect of my life. I began to differentiate between my “wants” versus my “needs” and what was baggage and what was truly important to me.
Still in the midst of unemployment, the journey to minimalism was cathartic. I divided my time among applying for jobs, working on my doctorate, and working towards a minimalist lifestyle. Here are the little steps I took, in random order:
- Decided that I wanted people to be the center of my life–not work, titles, or money
- Project 333: Pared down my entire wardrobe to 33 items every 3 months and donated clothes I did not fit anymore or wore only once
- De-cluttered and organized my e-mail box and consolidated all of my e-mails into one account
- Organized, purged, shredded, and recycled all my paperwork
- Cut down all of the possessions in my apartment to 53 items/groups of items (besides my 33 wardrobe items)
- Transitioned into all digital/paperless billing and documentation
- Limited unnecessary paper and plastic use
- Cut out TV/cable
- Limited wasting food and began buying and consuming food I won’t waste
- Began using less electricity
- Stopped myself from buying new clothes
- Consolidated and simplified any way I can
During this journey to minimalism and after applying to 144 job positions, I finally landed a job. I move in two weeks to begin the new position. With me, I will bring a new perspective in life, a whole lot less “stuff,” and more insight on what is important to me.
I’m looking forward to a new beginning, but I know the journey has just begun.
Thank you for letting me share.
Hello Courtney and Sheila,
Thanks to Courtney for an awesome blog and Sheila for an inspiring story.
I want to congratulate you on your new job Sheila and I wish you the best. It is funny how a radical change (relocation) causes radical changes and actually lead to some new inspiration in life. I would recommend everyone to do what you did to widen their perspective of life. You inspired me today and even though I’m striving to live up to some of the same principles you are already I thank you for a nice reminder.
Good luck in life to both,
Anders Hasselstrøm
This was a great summary of what the simple life can be. It is one of the best I’ve read. Thank you!
Thank you Courtney for sending this.
Shelia, thank you for sharing your wonderful story! =)
It’s a continuous journey, enjoy the ride!
this is a lovely description of just how much we can and need to learn from other cultures instead of thinking that we (here in the states) have all the answers. congratulations, sheila, on your new job and on all your adventures ahead. thank you, courtney for sharing the story with all of us.
What an amazing transition, Shelia! As I sit here in my living room, I’m sure I have 53 things within a 10′ radius. I would love to have an idea of what your 53 things are because I’m working toward simplifying my life.
Lovely life indeed! What island was this?
Sheila, thank you for your story. I hope you keep going forward and enjoy living with that inspiration!
Hi Courtney! Loving the “Simplicity in Action” stories!
Hello everyone!
Thank you, Courtney, for allowing me to share my minimalism story on your website. Your website has inspired many!
*Anders: Thank you for your comment. Yes, it’s intriguing how radical changes can catalyze switches in life perspectives. 2013 was definitely a year of radical changes for me: unemployment, overseas trip, finding new employment, moving to a new location, and now balancing a fulfilling new job, constant traveling on the road, and a doctoral program. I’m grateful to have found peace through the minimalist lifestyle, and this new perspective has made life simpler yet fuller.
*Kathy: Thank you so much for your compliment! I’m glad you enjoyed reading it.
*Sophie: You are very welcome! Thanks for reading!
*Ute: Yes, I’ve discovered it is a continuous journey with bumps along the road, and mountains and valleys in between. But I’m very excited about where the journey will take me. Thank you for reading!
*Gretchen: I agree with you 100%! Sometimes we need to step out of our own culture or even just our comfort zone to see life from another point of view, and this process will radically change your life perspective. This is what definitely happened to me! Thank you for the congratulations and for reading!
*Michelle: As for my 53 items (it’s more or less 53 since my move in late August), basically, during my move, I donated, recycled, or tossed out half of my belongings. Then, for each room in my apartment (I live in a tiny one bedroom), I made a list of only the bare essentials needed for each room. For example, the living room would only need my futon and coffee table, My bedroom only has a desk/table, mattress, nightstand, and drying racks (I hang my clothes to dry instead of using the dryer to save energy and money). My bathroom has a few beauty products. And so on. My thought process was, “What do I REALLY need?” I hope this helps!
*Kathleen: Thank very much! I went to my parents’ homeland the Philippines–more specifically the coastal area of Zambales and the island of Potipot.
Thank you all for reading! If you’re interested in reading more about my journey of minimalism and balancing a new job as a novice nurse practitioner, constant road traveler, and doctoral student, you can follow me at http://www.nerdyminimalist.tumblr.com.
Thank you for sharing your thought process, Sheila. I have 8 bags ready for donation and continue to collect more every day. I’m looking forward to having a home that is easier and less time-consuming to clean. I can already see it happening.
Isn’t amazing how little we need to survive – and thrive – and many times all it takes is that small seed? The seed of seeing how others live their simple lives, with few possessions but with lots of love and laughter in their hearts.
Singing, dancing, walking, playing cards. I love that. I want that for my life. How simple and refreshing. Tha ks for your story.
Your visit to the island country is so eye-opening. I’m deeply inspired by your story, Sheila. If we all lived this way, the world would be quite a different place! And, right now we can make our own personal world a better place by taking the kinds of steps you’ve outlined.
Simply refreshing!!! I am working on it!! Thank you for sharing and inspiring!! Would you please share what the island country was?