Daniel Nazareth's Blog

I recently donated 200+ personal items and memorabilia. How did I get here?

Five years ago, I read Marie Kondō’s book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. I got organized, gave things away, and kept things that “sparked joy”. I also started learning about Minimalism and came across a saying which stuck with me:

“Love people and use things because the opposite never works”.

How then did I have 200+ things left to give away and still more items that I kept?

In July, I moved into a new condo and decided that I would conduct a personal inventory count. I’d take what I learned from inventory listings and apply it to my personal life to categorize and keep track of everything I owned. I quickly realized that this was easier said than done. 

Moving really puts things into perspective (pun intended). In the midst of a renovation, I had nowhere to put some of my things. I was moving items around to make room for more items.

I had WAAAAAY too many things.

Thus, instead of focusing my efforts on my inventory count, I decided to give things away. 

After giving 200+ things away I feel lighter, but not finished. I’m still on my Minimalist journey and still trying to define what Minimalism means to me and looks like. 

I do not know what is enough. Only that I’ve had enough. 

I’ve had enough of craving things that I don’t need. But we all know how easy it is to get caught in the perpetual state of wanting more. To succumb to the Diderot effect. Some of my strategies for curbing this craving are:

1. Know the difference between what is absolutely necessary and what is needed for the sake of appearance
2. Stop acquiring things because they are on sale or free
3. Meet “needs” with things I already have
4. Take pictures of sentimental items and get rid of them
5. One in, one out

Less is more. Let it go. Cherish what remains.

Other Resources:

• https://jamesclear.com/diderot-effect
• Stop Buying Stuff | Niko Stoifberg | TEDxBibliothekZug
• https://www.theminimalists.com/minimalism/

With care,

Daniel Nazareth