The War on Clothes: Part 1 - Sock Bankruptcy

Socks... We all wear them. Each and every week we must wash, pair and replace these simple piece of clothing within our closets. Throughout the years I have accumulated different brands different cuts and different colours. All are used for different events and are kept for different reasons. Different, different, different. I am tired of trying to match and pair all of these socks, let alone choose which ones to wear in the morning.

The solution is quite simple; declare sock bankruptcy! I have decided to throw out all of my socks and start over. But I think you have to restructure the system or else it is just a matter of time before you are bankrupt again... Maybe even from having to throw away and buy new socks too often.

I can solve everything with two types: black tube socks and white ankle socks. Black tube socks for work, the office, social events and pretty much everything you might wear pants too. White ankle socks for anything athletic or wearing shorts. It's simple! You pair white with white, black with black, and the choice of which to wear is made for you. The next trick is to go out and buy a style and brand that does not change very often and will not be going anywhere anytime soon. Of course you also need enough to get you to your next laundry day, but some extra for those lazy weeks. Don't forget that one or two special dress pair to go with my suits.

One less decision everyday, sock shopping is just simply replacing worn stock, and laundry is almost on autopilot. Life just got a little more simple. Sock bankruptcy could be your next waypoint on your map to minimalism. How do you currently deal with your sock accounts?

It's Not Personal

I am having a wonderful morning.  The sun is shining, the weather is mild, I am driving to work and my favourite song comes on the radio.  Everything is going right when all of a sudden another motorist cuts me off, forgets to signal, or I hit heavy traffic.  I get upset, and all the good is overshadowed by the last event as if it is a personal attack at me. At me! Of all people...ME!

Today, we continually post on social media about ourselves, go on adventures just so we can boast about it at work, and try to "one up" our neighbours. We are continually thinking about ourselves and how everything around us either benefits us or detracts from our day.

But to simplify our lives, we must also simplify our thoughts.  What if we viewed that heavy traffic or inconsiderate motorists as just an event and not a personal attack? Like a leaf falling from the tree, or the clouds blowing through the sky.  All of these events, just like a large line at the grocery store, have nothing to do with us.  They just are. The sooner we realize this, the sooner we can let these emotions go, conserve the energy from getting upset and use it to enjoy the things we like, make important decisions, and pay attention to the ones we love.  So just remember, it's not personal...

Point of Origin

My first post in a blog about minimalism, amongst thousands of other minimalism blog claiming to change your life.  But how is minimalism going to change my life? How would it change yours? Why should I even consider buying into a lifestyle associated with monks, hippies and hipsters?

To see if minimalism will even make an impact, I must first define it.  When I first heard this buzzword, I thought the definition meant I should give away all my possessions and all of a sudden all of my problems would radically go away.  This is ridiculous, and I thought "How could any one benefit from this?".  So my definition began to change.  I started researching what minimalism meant to others and the lifestyles they live when I had my epiphany; maybe minimalism is just a fancy word for simplifying your life?

I have a schedule that never seems to have enough time to do the thinks I LIKE, see the people I LOVE, or live the life I WANT because I am weighed down by obligations that are unimportant.  I am crowded by possessions that drain me of time, energy, and my hard earned income.  I am bombarded by social media and information from people that are interested in no one but themselves.  I am unhappy and afraid.  Unhappy with the lifestyle I am living, and afraid that one day I will realize I was too busy living a lifestyle that is not my own, but rather a lifestyle that is what society suggests I should live.  "Buy this stuff", "Go do these things" and then "post about those things on Facebook".

My journey to minimalism, to a simple life starts here. Where it will take me? who knows.  Will I ever make it to my destination? time will tell. But I do know, I feel a weight lifted off my chest already.  Maybe this ever evolving map will help you too.