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I was a minimalist before it was cool. But I'm also wabi sabi. I would rather have something used. Not only do you get more for your money, but the history give
by combatentropy 9y ago
I was a minimalist before it was cool. But I'm also wabi sabi. I would rather have something used. Not only do you get more for your money, but the history gives it character. That being said, it has to be well made and my style.
So I probably don't want my parents' curtains, but I will see about their table, dresser, old household tools like scissors, etc. A recent visit to a restaurant decorated in a style called rustic chic has me rethinking even my narrow style requirements. I used to be zen minimalist. Like my silverware has no engraving, it's flat and plain. But the restaurant had these old plates, forks, and knives. None of them matched but there was an overall similar style, and they were probably expensive when they were new. So I might consider my parents' old china or crystal, but instead of locking it away I would try to use it every day.
And books and photographs can be shelved or wall-mounted, taking up negligible volume --- up to a point, but still I would have hard time parting with even a single old photo.
- vasco 9y agoI find it funny that someone who calls themselves a minimalist would keep physical books.
- astrange 9y agoThey have very minimal system requirements! Although a ceiling light helps.
- systemtest 9y agoMinimalism isn't about having the least amount of stuff possible. It is about only having stuff that you need or deeply care about. Books can be one of those things. So is art. Or specialist tools.
- ksk 9y ago>It is about only having stuff that you need or deeply care about. Couldn't anyone be a minimalist by that logic? I suppose a vague term like that can quickly become meaningless.
- blitmap 9y agoYou hooked me toward the end: I absolutely hate how older folks seem to covet things they're sentimental about. Lock it in a box or display case and never make it a part of your life. Fuck that - when I inherit the things that remind me of my mom or dad I'm going to use them until they become useless. I will love them for their use, and not treat them like something to be kept on a shelf or in a locked safe. I'm going to keep my dining room table laid out nice like it's Christmas Dinner everyday and I will not cry over the stains that accumulate. The sad irony is when I inherit my parents' nice things I will then be putting my parents in a box.
- andrewjw 9y agoYou could also burn them instead of putting them in a box. :)
- honestoHeminway 9y agoPhotos are anchors to memorys, and memorys is all that remains.
- wsc981 9y agoI like to put all my photos on Google Photos. That way I don't have to store them in my house. I would love to use a Kindle for all my reading, but physical books are still more pleasurable to read. It makes it hard for me to part with some books for now. Though some books are only worth reading once and I am happy to give them away after finishing them. Just for fun, George Carlin (RIP) on 'stuff': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLoge6QzcGY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLoge6QzcGY
- kaybe 9y agoWill the photos still be there in 50 years? (You probably won't want most of them then, but some at least.)
- jdbernard 9y agoWhich is a good point. Going through some of my grandparents' photo collections is always very interesting and enriching. In fact, every time I've sorted through ancient photos there was always at least one that I was glad to have found.
- RandVal30142 9y ago>old household tools like scissors I hounded an old roommate of mine that moved out with my scissors. Inherited from my father they were rough looking and probably better described as shears but they kept an edge like nothing else and cut without effort. I like to believe I hounded my old roomie until he gave them back because I couldnt readily replace them even at the hardware store. But mostly I think it is because he took my fathers scissors and that peeved me good. :)