J. writes:
Dump the STUFF and then what?
This story begins as most of these do. I was a young woman. I spent 2 years in the Army and needed very little. The Army not only told me what I needed, they made sure I had it, and life was peaceful.
Then, as life unfolds in the usual way, I got married and began to create a home. This is where the “stuff” begins. We were young and had not much money, so we happily ‘made do’ with what we had, thinking we were rich! As time goes by, over time, well you know…a house bursting at the seams with “stuff”.
Forty years later, I am sitting (alone) in a house with a lifetime of “stuff” and I think…”time to do something else”. So I did. Sold one house and moved that stuff into this one. Then I began selling a LOT of the stuff…gave away some of the stuff, and threw out some stuff. I am now down to about 20% of the original stuff. It is more than enough, and currently I am having a hard time deciding which stuff still has to go, as I want to dump at least 25% more.
During this time of ‘lightening the load’ I found Miss Minimalist, and jumped on board to not only purge a LOT more of the household stuff, but also the clothing. (I couldn’t face the clothing until the wall to wall furniture was thinned out). The clothing is now down by 75%, and you know what? I can’t really even remember what is missing! Sometimes I think, “now, where is that red belt” kind of thoughts. I look at the belt rack (with only 4 left) and know it is gone…and happily choose one of those instead.
Sounds perfect, so far, doesn’t it?
During this time, I also paid off a HUGE credit card debt. So, I have minimalized the debt as well.
Here is the situation: I lost my job, and have little income, but I can get by on it as my house is paid for. Apparently people over 60 are unemployable.
Here is my issue: With my debt paid off, and my ‘stuff’ reduced, I wonder. “Where am I?”
I don’t want to go spending money and get in debt again…but I sort of have nothing to do. I am sort of looking for my ‘prize’ that I guess I thought was there, at the end of the accomplishment!
I have a Kindle, and sometimes read books, but after a while, I get bored. Most of my friends have either died or moved away. I have no family. I joined a MEETUP group to meet some people, and I didn’t really have a good time, plus I had to pay for a meal. I gave it up after 4-5 tries.
Where I live it is either too hot or too cold most of the time, to go out. I have seen all of the museums and local attractions so many times, I could give the tours…so tired of that. I am a different nationality than most of the people here, so we have little in common. They are friendly enough, but they do not want to be ‘good friends’.
I tried volunteering at a couple groups, but found that gas money and having to buy lunch out somewhere, plus they want the volunteers to also give them money…made me feel like a chump. It was like having a job and not get paid for it, but they still have the same expectations. I can’t work at a job that costs me money to do it, that makes no sense. I think volunteering is not for me.
I spend time with my little dog. We took some classes and go almost every day to the park, but there must be more to life than that.
Most of the time, I am surfing the web and I have over 2 million points at Khan Academy.
I don’t mean to whine, but I really am at a loss of what to do.
So many readers here are joyfully telling of life at the end of the rainbow. I would like to find that too. I would love some suggestions! Is anyone else in this same situation??
Real Life Minimalists: J.
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Minimalists
