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Enkara wrote (edited )

Well first off... obviously Silicon Valley-style "minimalism" is just consumerist bullshit because it's all about buying shit to fit an aesthetic. If you're confused what I'm talking about just google image search "minimalism" and you'll understand.

But outside of that, I feel freer than if I threw out anything and everything I had because I can do shit like:

Bring comms, medical, and other technical resources to actions and occupations that need them. (Requires radios, tents, medic backpack, etc, etc)

Recondition the battery pack for my hybrid car rather than pay thousands to buy a new one. (Requires all the correct hardware tools, and a smart battery charger/discharger)

Weld together my own cargo bike out of doner bikes from craigslist free to carry shit I need to carry rather than spend 3000+$ buying one pre-made. (requires welder, homemade adapter to run welder off dryer plug, welder sticks, welding helmet and gloves, metal cutting shit and other power-tools)

Make long distance wifi links for friends or myself so we can get free Internet access. (requires hanging on to any computer junk that comes my way)

Build people computers who need computers. (requires hanging on to any computer junk that comes my way)

Keep my house warm all winter, and cook all my food with wood even if we lose power or gas(requires cookstove, chainsaw, splitting implements, pallets to stack the wood on, pickup truck or cargo bike)

Repair damage and holes in clothing (requires sewing kit, sewing machine also doesn't hurt)

Clean my own damn chimney flue rather than pay someone else 2-4 times a year to do it (requires one chimney flue cleaner thingy)

Be able to grow some of my own food (requires garden tools, stakes, tomato cages, trellises, converted bathroom into indoor grow room to start seedlings off)

Be able to sleep elsewhere when fight with partner (requires 1 airmatress)

Wash my own clothes rather than rely on a laundromat (requires washer and dryer got for free on craigslist)

Etc, Etc

I feel like for me at least I'm able to be less reliant on the market for things since I hang onto things that are useful to me. Furthermore a lot of the things I have I don't acquire through any market, but just keep an eye out on craigslist or whatnot, and sometimes just get stuff at thrift shops as needed.

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bananaguardian wrote

If it's useful to you, I say keep it. I agree that the current trend has definitely made it more consumerist and definitely a contest among those who follow.

Everyone's minimalism is, and should be, different.

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