Inspiration and Recognition

If you have visited the "About" page of this blog, you'll know that I was originally inspired to start on the path of minimalism by Leo Babauta through his blog zenhabits. I also wanted to take a moment to recognize Joshua Becker at becomingminimalist. It was his blog chronicling his own journey that inspired me to record mine. There is a certain amount of accountability once your goal is out in the public domain for everyone to see! I didn't feel right proceeding any further with this blog until I had recognized the main sources that I'm using as a guide.

As I went to bed last night, my mind was full, and I was not able to sleep well - or at all actually. I started thinking about different projects I needed to have done by certain dates in order to purge a decent portion of my belongings before I move, but what really kept me up was all of the ideas of how I could make this blog more meaningful for myself and others. How I could make it my own.  New blogs on minimalism and living well pop up every day. What different insight could I provide that isn't already out there?

While my mind was racing, I was able to write down some ideas I want to write about here (one of which was re-referencing a book on meditation to quiet the mind). I always appreciate comments and suggestions since this will be an enormous learning opportunity for me and will also pace myself so I don't have an overwhelming amount of posts on one day and then no posts for two weeks. Well, I hear that book on meditation calling me from the general direction of my bed...

My Favorite Things

As I've been thinking about what to post on this blog and my new path, I thought I should post some goals so that I can track my progress and make sure I don't stray too far from becoming and living as the person that I want to be. However, instead of listing separate goals to attain, I thought a better way would be to list the things that are the most important to me and stick with only one goal.

My goal is this: Live in a way that allows me to focus on those things that are the most important to me.

To attain this goal I've chosen minimalism.

My Favorite Things

• Spending time with family
• Spending time with friends
• Listening to music
• Dancing
• Reading
• Learning
• Experiencing nature

A Fresh Start

Last year, I came across a fantastic blog named zenhabits created by Leo Babauta, and it inspired me to start making some changes to my life. I wasn't satisfied with my job/career path, where I lived, or the direction of my life in general. I was finding it difficult to see all of the positive things around me and in my life. Once, I started reading his blog, I couldn't get enough. I became hooked on the idea of minimalism and viewing life more simply.

Now I am at a point where I am starting to make significant changes in my life for the better and hoping achieve a minimalism suited for my life. There are a lot of changes that I need to make, but I am looking forward to the journey. I'm starting this blog to help motivate me and hopefully inspire others down the path to minimalism and living life well.

So far I am in the process of accepting a new job in a different career path and relocating at the same time. What a great time to start the purging process of a good portion of my material possessions and some mental baggage as well! I really don't want to move all of the things I've accumulated in the past 5 years. Plus, my current apartment is about twice the size of what I need, so I will be downsizing when I move to something more manageable. On that note, let the purging process begin - first up, books!