Comments on: A Minimalist’s Approach

By: GenaGallegos

GenaGallegos — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 02:33:54 +0000

I took 1 st loans when I was 25 and this aided me very much. But, I require the short term loan also.

By: winkwink

winkwink — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:24:55 +0000

I will second Linda’s comment to go check out Flylady. Even if you don’t follow her program (it’s all free advice), you can take away two valueable messages:
1. Don’t aim for perfection, it will only bring you down.
2. You can do anything 15 minutes at a time.

By: london

london — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:58:40 +0000

That’s fine that a lot of people are “okay” with their disorganized lifestyles, nobody’s perfect. But what people should understand is that many of our problems are directly related. If your house is too messy, then you will likely have trouble organizing your finances as well. There is also a direct relation between clutter and weight issues (ever hear of the book “Does this clutter make me look fat”?). And I know myself, there is always one of those things out of balance for me, wether it be my house/finances/weight. I just cannot have all of them balanced at the same time, it’s a struggle. Having a minimalist approach sure does help a little though before it’s too far gone.

By: Rita

Rita — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 02:41:10 +0000

Much of my home is organized and when I’m done with something it gets put away. But my office room is my creative space. I’ve come to realize that I am a visual person. If I file an unfinished project away where I can’t see it, I’ll forget about it. I cannot function creatively with a pristine desk. I’ll tidy it a bit when items get out of hand but it will never be featured as a positive example in a lifestyle magazine and that is fine by me.

I have a magnet that reads “Dull Women have immaculate houses.” Instead of trying to live up to the “facade of perfection” figure out what works for you and keep doing that, you’ll be happier for it.

By: Linda

Linda — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:43:58 +0000

Some people are born organized and then there are those of us who struggle it. Find what works for you and if you truly need assistance look up Flylady.net. Its free and helpful to get on the organization track. Progress not perfection.

Thanks again Gail for a great post.

By: Diana

Diana — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:11:02 +0000

Unlike most people who have responded to this blog, the phrase that struck me most was “facade of perfection”.
So many people on Gail’s show seem to be trying to pretend that they are wealthy and living large with vacations, new furniture, fancy cars/hobbies when the reality is that they cannot afford to feed their children or they are in imminent danger of losing their homes.
It seems that no one these days wants to admit that their lives are anything but perfect. Not only are the advertisers trying to lure us with a vision of an unattainable lifestyle, but our friends/co-workers are, as well.
From listening to how wonderful someone’s husband/marriage is to hearing tales of perfectly obedient, studious genius offspring , we all start to compare ourselves to others.
Maintaining this facade has not only a financial price but an emotional cost, too.
The one good thing about getting older is that I no longer feel the need to keep up with “biggest, best, smartest, richest” etc, etc.
I love Frugalista’s idea of the “patina” in her home. I am embracing the patina of my life.
It is very freeing to get out of the perfection race and just be me, warts, dust bunnies, messy counters and all.

By: Omzig

Omzig — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:03:44 +0000

I was taking a seminar on personality styles a while back, and after doing our assessment and chatting as a group, the facilitator looked right at me and asked me to explain what my desk looked like … I turned bright red and my jaw dropped … I said that to anyone else, it would like a big disorganized mess, but that I knew exactly where stuff was – he nodded knowingly. Seems it was a very common trait for that personality profile!

I really liked this blog for another reason aside from the minimalism. I liked the quote of ‘what you wish for is not really what you want’. We were contemplating a smaller vehicle but realized that I still needed the van for a few activities that the smaller vehicle would not accommodate (30 cases of girl guide cookies anyone?). I can wish for a smaller vehicle all I like, but I want the one that can adapt as needed. Guess it is the van for a while longer yet.

ps – I do have a friend who lives in a ’showhome’ magazine spread style and she has two boys. It can be done – but she cleans regularly and almost hourly. She mops her floor every night. If you go over to visit and it is her routine to clean right then – well, enjoy waiting while she finishes cleaning. She used to joke that when she had kids she would be apt to dip them in bleach before they came in the house from outside! Fortunately her boys are not yet to the worms in the pockets stage of life . . . but when they are . . . her life should get a lot more interesting.

By: Amber

Amber — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:37:05 +0000

I am so not a minimalist. Sadly, my husband is, and between the kids and I it gets to be a bit much for him. Getting our own desks has been a lifesaver. Because it’s really true, finding your own best way is far better than trying to fit into some outside ideal.

By: Nancy!

Nancy! — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:32:58 +0000

I love a clean desk and usually work that way, except when under stress. You can always tell what I am feeling by the way my desk looks.

By: *pol

*pol — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:48:46 +0000

GAIL! You are talking about my desk, aren’t you!
My desk to the average observer is a dangerous place of layers of stuff. The piles on the floor ARE organized, they just don’t look it. It gets out of hand regularly and I have to clear it (like you) about once a month. The mess crosses the line between efficient chaos and a true mess. After finishing a major project, I wipe the slate clean (and it lasts about a day and a half before the next project makes it’s own piles).
It is a system that is very personal.
When I worked in an office environment, my desk was the model of effieciency! I had it cleared and presentable before I left every evening, and in the morning when I returned, my desk was a fresh and pristine place to start. I have to say, I loved that! But the reality of my home office is very very VERY different from the employee environment….. I could leave my work at work for one thing.
There is so much more that this desk has to do! Children’s school notices, bills, follow-up appointments scheduled, personal dream tracking, hobbies, home maintenance, music, pets, and of course my career all take up at least a bit of space on this desk!

The metaphor of the desk and life is clear. I would LIKE to have that clean office-desk to proudly display to all, but my busy life-desk is nothing to be ashamed of really…. (it may be a fire hazard though).

By: Money Coach

Money Coach — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:28:01 +0000

I’m with Geoff, my desk is tidy with just the essentials on top. I’m a firm believer that our environment is a good indicator of how are life is (finances, home life, work life, etc.).

Call me crazy, but even my closet is organized and aligned in a particular way. My wallet has all the bills in order, etc. Right or wrong, it all works for me

By: Catherine

Catherine — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:05:20 +0000

Adverts…magazines…..TV commercials…..don’t get me started.
I’ve come to the conclusion that magazines are eye candy, and I try to keep them in perspective. Long ago I decided there are a “bunch of people” sitting around a table somewhere wondering how they can make the general public feel bad about themselves (you know like that other “bunch of people” designing uncomfortable shoes for women???)
The beautiful recipe photographed just so? Isn’t it glossy and gorgeous? If you can’t replicate it…do you feel a failure?
The skinny, skinny models showing designers goods telling us we should be a size -0. Is that healthy? Besides it’s only a kazillion dollars for the scarf don’t you know?
Or, how about the beautifully decorated rooms that would cost you thousands of dollars on your line of credit to buy and ‘you too can live in the lap of luxury’.
Nope. Not for me. I do like to look, I have my favourites, but, I don’t get fished in cause I hear the cackling of that “bunch of people” trying to come up with their next attack (it gets louder nearer October 31st)
So, I try to live my life, messy desk some days, others not so messy and continue to try not to sweat the small stuff.

By: darci

darci — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:02:32 +0000

I think sometimes we need to have this “desk” in a room where we can just close the door, and allow life to continue on around it. Not to feel the pressure to preform and look like it step out of a magazine.
My desks are always a mess, but it’s a personal work space, and it does get cleaned up. Thanks for the great article.

By: michelle

michelle — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:47:12 +0000

Ah, yes, my desk…seems to have a mind of its own sometimes! It doesn’t seem to want to stay clean/organized! I just get the papers filed, buy ANOTHER organizer, and put things away, and before you know it, it’s overflowing again!!!! I just don’t get it sometimes – where does this stuff come from??? lol
As for my house…Frugalistas, I feel your pain-a 2 1/2 and 1yr old can make a house look like a bomb went off moments after you “clean” something. It’s like there’s a magnet that draws them to it. My friend’s husband made a comment one day (about his deck covered in toys, etc), gee, I hope noone was hurt in the explosion…hilarious, but true. It’s a sign that we are living! Embrace and enjoy, some day we’ll be wishing they were back…

By: Ann

Ann — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:45:01 +0000

I have this quote from Einstein in my e-mail signature:

“If a cluttered desk signs a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?”