If I was a Martian and I landed on Earth and picked up a newspaper, I would think I have landed in a place somewhat resembling hell. Terrorist attacks, gun shootings, beheadings, potential collapse of a country’s financial system…the bad news just keep coming. And they keep coming because bad news sells. Let’s be honest about this, many of us derive voyeuristic pleasure from bad news as long as it’s not happening to us or to our loved ones- it makes us feel fortunate and to count our blessings.
I have been officially outed…as a Minimalist. Courtesy of Completely London magazine.
You can read about it here.
With the start of the year, I have continued with my practice of not having specific goals in mind. Instead, I will advance in the direction of where I would like to be and in the process, arrive at situations where I can derive happiness, fulfilment and inspiration. I can say as of now, I am quite happy and contented to be where I am. Quite.
Happiness is a place between too little and too much –
Since I embraced simple living and minimalism and started this blog two years ago, a post on ‘I am debt-free’ has been at the top of my list. I still can’t believe that I am finally in a position to write such a post: I am debt-free and I have money in the bank. It feels rather surreal and after two months, it has yet to fully sink in.
Finally, I did it…a month ago today. This poem is a gift to my beloved home in south London; thank you and goodbye.
ODE TO OVAL
Located in the Oval is my beloved 2 bedroom flat, near Kennington, Brixton, Clapham and Vauxhall is where it is at
It was the year 2005 when I moved in in the month of May, to my lovely home near Kennington Bookshop,
I have always loved the word ‘Serendipity’- a joyful confluence of unexpected but desirable outcomes and good luck. In my previous post, I shared how I was on a long holiday and how I was (desperately) seeking inspiration for new ideas and ventures. That was till I learned how to go with the flow of the Universe, to just be and the things you were seeking (and maybe more) will come along when the time is right.
The new year has come and gone and January has come to an end. I had the opportunity at the end of last year to take a few months away from home to travel and take time out to relax, reflect and rejuvenate. Even before I left home, I had great plans for things to do, places to go, people to meet, experiences to have and projects to accomplish during my time away.
When asked who I am and what I do, I usually respond with: ‘I’m an inspired idler.’ This usually elicits three types of reactions in general: mild disdain (here’s another loafer with little ambition), awkwardness (she’s not ‘normal’…most of us are too busy slaving away to earn a living….she’s probably inherited money or won the lottery) and curiosity with a tinges of envy and admiration (I’ll like to be one too..tell me more!).
This goldfish picture has always resonated with me since I first came across it many years ago. The simple yet powerful imagery embraces themes like ‘being free’; ‘breaking away to find one’s own path’; ‘pursuing one’s dreams’; ‘seeking a new world’; ‘in pursuit of solitude’; ‘being brave…or being stupid?’…and the list goes on . You get the drift.
It has been a year since I flew out of the corporate cage and left cubicle nation behind.
Books have been a key motivator and resource in my journey towards simplicity and minimalism. I did not have any mentors or friends who were on a similar journey and these books and their authors provided inspiration and connections to ideas and like-minded people. Below are ten of my favourite books on simplicity and minimalism- the list is certainly not exhaustive as I’ve read many more good books on the subject.
