Minimalism doesn’t exactly describe my approach to things. It’s the simplest term to use to help people understand, but it’s always been about efficiency first. I figure there are mechanisms to emply that will permit my workflow to be efficient. Yes, reducing the number of things I need to be concerned with helps be efficient. I embraced that.
I’ve recently moved. The actual move was very efficient. Pretty much everything fell into place as I had planned it. Moving day was so efficient, I had all my furniture set up and I was able to go run all my errands I had scheduled for the following day on moving day.
Even so, it took about five days to really get everything in place to the point where I didn’t feel like I had things to do. Trash cans presented issues. Frankly, I have spent money and a lot of time dealing with trash. It seems out of balance.
Anyhow, because I was so well planned, once I was set up, I was at optimal efficiency with my stuff. It’s not that I couldn’t find something I didn’t need. But I had everything I needed and wanted for a comfortable life. There was no excess (beyond what I wanted; others may see excess in the number of games I have or digital photographs, etc.).
That changed the other day. My mother sent me a package. In it were four placemats, two potholders, and a throw pillow. Technically, all superfluous as I have all those items already.
But here’s the thing: she did a really good job of getting things I would like. The colors are good, the quality what I would have chosen.
So, now I have eight placemats, four potholders, and one extra throw pillow. I have so much room in the apartment, this excess isn’t noticed. I figure I can change out the placemats weekly for a slightly different look. Perhaps extra potholders will be useful at some point. I could always use them as trivets. And the pillow adds one element of homemade to an apartment that is pseudo-industrial. I like that.
I know I will never be inundated with gifts, so I am not concerned that this is a step towards adding unneccesary items slowly. This is a one-time occasion and it works.
Also blogged on this date . . .
- The Adventures of Tom Sawyer - 2022
- Made It to Minnesota - 2022
- Dot . . . Dot . . . Dot . . . - 2022
- American Pastoral - 2021
- Mets vs. Braves - 2020
- Will - 2020
- Why I Do Not Have a Private Bedroom - 2020
- BAC 11 - 2019
- Dot . . . Dot . . . Dot . . . - 2019
- Micro Objective - Park Explorer - 50 - 2019
- Micro Objective - Park Explorer - 50 - 2019
- Micro Objective - Park Explorer - 50 - 2019
- Micro Objective - Life List - Park Explorer - 50 - 2019
- Princeton Monuments - Virtual Reward - 2018
- Robeson in Princeton - 2018
- FDU Webcam - 2018
- FDU Metro Cam - 2018
- I scream. You scream. - 2018
- The Levoy Situation II - 2017
- Playing with the Big Boys - 2016
- Bring snacks to work to share - 2014
- Dancing at Camp Sacajawea - 2014
- Sesame Street Bus - 2013
- Dot . . . Dot . . . Dot . . . - 2012
- On Leaders - 2011
- Beginning of the End - 2011
- Personal Training - 2011
- Got a Headache? - 2010
- NC to GA to Grammy's - 2010
- Unexpected Organization - 2009
- iPod Help Sought - 2008
- Barnyard - 2007
- Corzine's Budgeting - 2007
- Taxes Squandered - 2007
- Caching Stickers on Vehicles - 2007
- There It Is - 2007
- Doylestown Culture - 2007
- Homeowners - 2006
- Not a Train - 2006
- Beetle Enjoys the Summer - 2005
- Curiouser and Curiouser - 2005
- The Stopping Place - 2005
- Stuck in the Middle - 2005
- Close To The Edge - 2005
- Son of Restart a Heart (Log an AED) - 2005
- Mom & Pop Bookstore - 2005
- Hanging Shoes - 2005
- Two Months Later: Re-Examing the DC Virt - 2005
- Busy Days for the Owens Family - 2004
- Bridgeport - 1999
- The Wasteland Vol. 2 - 1995