Purely Minimalist Living Just Ain't For Me.

I just read an article about how Millennials are more into spending money on experiences and less into buying stuff.

This got me thinking….Is ART and MUSIC just …“stuff” ?

I recently read a book on the subject of organizing and streamlining your life. The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo. You may not think that an entire book about keeping a neat home is that fascinating, but it was surprisingly awesome.

After reading it, I folded all my boxer briefs, organized my closet by color, donated bags of stuff to Good Will and re-organized my Art Studio.

The author and Tidying-Expert Kondo doesn’t say to ditch all your stuff. She does though give a good piece of advice on determining what to keep and what not to keep. This tip sort of sums up the book.

Only keep things that spark joy.

Basically, if something doesn’t bring you joy, inspiration and happiness, get rid of it. (I love that)

But this is easier said than done…

Like many of you, I enjoy doing fun things and I like to be surrounded by inspiration.

Sometimes I wish I was boring…

I would probably really crush this minimalist thing if I just worked off of my laptop and had no hobbies. But that’s not me. Never has been.

So I looked around my home at what was left…

When I walk into my car garage, I see my bouldering wall that my kids and I use regularly. My boys have been climbing since they could walk and are probably stronger than most of your friends. I have a rack of surfboards, wetsuits, stand up paddle boards and skateboards which aren’t going anywhere. Hell no.

Then there’s my guitars, piano, books, my vinyl records, art supplies, bicycles for each member of the family and my camera equipment.

And then there’s all the Art that’s on display throughout our home.

Along with my original paintings, we have framed prints by Monet, Klimt and Van Gogh. We also have a contemporary sculptural piece that my parents got when they were first married, it’s aquatic inspired and I love it, it stays.

The kids’ playroom has Hawaiin photography by our dear friend Sean Davey and a Mandala made by my family friend & mentor who passed away last year, Marshall Cetlin.

Look, if you’re 21 and have no expenses and can travel the world before the real world catches up with you, do it, by all means, do it and I want to hear all about your adventures.

But if you’re like me and still need to keep one foot rooted in the world of grown-up living, then feed that curiosity and explore your passions every day. Keep that joy sparked my friends.

I’m all for ditching excess consumerism non-sense. But don’t touch my art, music or hobbies. (Click to tweet)