I’ve been watching many YouTube videos lately on minimalism and essentialism as I’m drawn to living with much less of everything in my life. I’d like life to be simpler with more time for myself, for family, for friends, for work I enjoy, for learning, and for having fun! I don’t want to be tied down by having to care for excessive things, and for caring for a large apartment and cleaning it. I’m in temporary housing at the moment, but when I rent my next apartment I’ve decided this is how I want, how I imagine, I will minimalize the furniture in it: I always had many pictures on the walls and I’ve noticed that bare walls give me a more peaceful feeling. So in one or two rooms I won’t have anything on the walls. BTW, I don’t want more than three rooms, as I live alone and that’s all I need or want. A kitchen would be nice, a living room, and a bedroom.

In the bedroom I want my big bed with a great mattress, as I value a good night’s sleep. One small night table near the bed to hold a table lamp, small air filter, and an alarm clock is something I want in the bedroom. I will put a sterilite with 3 or 4 drawers for my socks and undies in the bedroom closet and on top of that, neatly folded, will be my nightgowns, and a few other articles of clothing, the rest of my limited wardrobe will be hung up. In this closet will also be my hamper (I’m using a large plastic shopping bag at the moment for my laundry). Also in my bedroom closet, on the top shelf, I will keep some favorite books and a few magazines. In my bedroom I will also have a small table or desk with my laptop, journal or art supplies. Also a comfy chair, and that’s all the furniture I want in the bedroom.

In the kitchen I do want a microwave, small toaster, blender, toaster oven, burner (for cooking 2 pots of food), as well as a few bowls, a few plates and utensils, tray for food, 2 pots and 2 pans. I will store the rest of my plates and silverware on a top shelf and only use when I have company. I will keep a step stool in the kitchen to reach high cabinets. Also in the kitchen will be a small kitchen table and chairs. The reason I will keep my electric burner is that I don’t plan on opening up an account with the gas company, as I’m perfectly content with cooking on my 2 burners or in the large toaster oven with an air fryer, or warming things in my microwave.

The living room will have my futon sofa (which doubles as a guest bed should I have a guest stay over), with a small coffee table in front of the sofa and a comfy chair nearby as well. A small table or desk would hold a table lamp, laptop, and portable radio. In this living room would be a round eating table with 6 chairs, and a scratching post with a high bed for my cats.

So I have eliminated the need for a bookcase by putting my favorite books on top shelf of my bedroom closet and passing on all the books I have hung onto over the years. I will donate my books to the library or family or friends that may want some or I’ll give them to the vets organizations or other charity organizations. I have eliminated the need for a dresser by putting small articles like socks in sterilite drawers which will be in my bedroom closet. I no longer want to keep a TV as I so dislike the shows that are now on TV and dislike the ads which have gotten more distasteful over the years. So when I want to watch anything I go to my laptop and watch films, watch videos, even old TV shows that I’ve enjoyed like Seinfeld and Taxi (and for the most part the films I watch on YouTube play through with no ads). When ads turn up (mainly on the videos) I have control and mute the sound and press skip the ad as soon as possible! When I shop now it’s at Aldi, Dollar shops, and thrift shops and occasionally will order on Amazon Prime. I no longer keep many articles of clothing, just a few comfortable dresses, slacks, short-sleeved blouses, sweaters, long sleeved tops, maybe 3 pairs of shoes, a winter jacket and light jacket. I have passed on many of my clothes to clothing bins or to friends; I give away any of my clothing that I feel is more than I need and I’m content wearing a limited amount of outfits. I do find I have to do laundry more often, so may rethink this and keep a bit more outfits than I had originally planned!

There are many things I have to sort and eliminate as much as possible and when I move I will work on sorting photographs, CDs, memorabilia (except for the most precious to me), etc.

My food preparation and cooking I also want to keep to a minimum. And I plan to make one pot meals maybe twice a week like a chicken soup with lots of veggies and a lentil soup with lots of healthy vegetables in it – and I would alternate these meals during the week. I can be content living simply and it’s what I prefer.