What would just one of something look like?
Not a diversity of items, but a simplicity of things. A specificity, a selection, and a deliberate choice between several?
Not three workout programs, but just one workout program.
Not seven yoga mats or towels, but just one.
Not eight new dresses or blouses, but just one. Your favorite one.
Not two sets of bedding, but just one.
Not four new books, but just one.
Not three bedrooms, but just one bedroom.
Not two cars, but just one car.
Instead of two sets of tablewear, just one set.
Instead of eight dreams, just one dream to work on.
Sometimes I get caught in the trap of needing more. I have a brown pair of boots, but now I need a black one. I have a black pair, but now I need a tan one. And I need a pair of rain boots. Four pairs of boots? Do I need four pairs of boots?
What would just one look like?
[Or none at all?]
I imagine the classic Stoics would be proud to read this post, Sarah. I can say with certainty that I’m proud to read it though.
These kind of words resonate deep within me. They are the same reasons I read other profound writing by people like Joshua Becker, Courtney Carver, Colin Wright, The Minimalists, and others.
Thank you for your simple and powerful words today.
I love where you’re headed with this, Sarah! I’ve had fun being able to experience some of these examples you gave over the past 6 years and hope to stay on the path of a minimalist life.
I laughed out loud when I read about the boots because I gave away my black boots recently and am wearing my brown boots today. They are uncomfortable and are probably not worth keeping, either. :)
This is so timely! Just this weekend I had a conversation with my boyfriend about how there are so many things I want to do and do well an regularly, and somehow I seem to be getting none of them done, caught like a deer in the headlines of too many options.
Similarly, I seem to have lost the ability to choose, to pick a favourite, to pick one at the exclusion of the others, afraid as I am to pick the wrong thing.
I’d love to read more of your thoughts on this topic, Sarah!
Amen siSTAR!
I often wonder about the definition of “need” … as part of gratitude, I think. I want more (garden, home improvement, travel), of course, but I am grateful for a roof over my head and a comfortable a bed to sleep.
Very nice post!
I am in the midst of changing over to this type of vision for my own life. It’s not always easy, so getting to read someone new on the topic is very inspiring. Thank you.
What a great post! I even love that you kept the post minimal. The best example I can think of this is when I went from having one tube of lip moisturizer to having one for my purse, one for home, one for work, etc. I never had trouble keeping track of one tube, but when I had one for everywhere I could never put my hands on a tube. Same with journals — having one for food, one for work ideas, one for writing ideas — it’s just too much and adds a level of complexity that just isn’t necessary. Thanks so much for inspiring me to re-visit the idea of simplicity in my life once again.
I have been reading your posts for quite sometime; it is truly a pleasure going through them. I enjoy them as it is identifiable.
This thought of ‘just one’ is also deep with lot of meaning. When just have ‘one’ of everything life is more simple, loving and you are more satiated. Your satisfaction with ‘one’ makes you focus on a lot of other things and also increases the value of that ‘one’ thing in life.
Thanks you sharing these wonderful thoughts.
May God be with you…:)