Poverty can rock or suck. Either way it's not the end.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Less Is More



So I noticed that my blog aims to ease the "pain" of poverty and I thought to myself, I don't think I'm doing such a good job with that on here but the truth is all I can really do is tell you that ultimately it is not your fault and hope that eases the guilt that's been heaped upon you for so long. (so you can stop your own self incrimination)  I would also add that a complete deprogramming of what you consider valuable is probably in order.  (at least it was for me)


First of all, you've heard it before but, more is not necessarily better.  This is especially true for the poor after all you don't need more clothes or dishes to wash and you don't need a bigger place to put all the junk you have accumulated in.  That will just cost more to heat and cool, and unless you get rid of the crap it won't look any more distinguished than the one room tiny hole in the wall you hopefully have now.  So just get rid of all that junk that you don't need or use.  If you can have a yard sale super, it doesn't hurt to at least try and make a few extra bucks but if no one buys it even for a quarter get it out of your life for good.  


There is nothing worse than living in a junk filled space.  First of all when you are poor you have an obligation to yourself to think as clearly as possible and you do not need the distraction of living in clutter.  Also, it will ease your mind whether you are like me and have moved a lot or not, you need to know that whether the eviction notice comes today or in 10 years, your most prized possessions are organized and can easily be packed in just a few minutes.  Not to mention if you truly make it to the completely homeless stage or living out of your car stage, there is nothing worse than try to haul around a bunch of junk.  Let's face it, the shit is heavy.  So lighten your load or you will find you lose a lot of stuff when you are stressed and need to move in a pinch.  Remember, help is hard to find when you are poor and you need it NOW, so be prepared.


Try to cut your wardrobe down now while you can still think clearly.  Pick out three or four shirts and two to three pants or skirts where everything can be mix matched to make a week's wardrobe without looking like you only have one set of clothes. Try to pick out the quality items if you can.  One pair of shoes for everyday, and another for the very occasional time you will need to dress up (think that elusive job interview), just because you are poor doesn't mean you need to look like a slob so pick well.  Dark colors will stay clean looking for longer as long as they don't attract lint in case you don't have easy access to laundry facilities.  Also pick clothes that wash well and don't wrinkle even when folded for long periods of time, ironing boards and irons are a pain to haul around.  Hint:  you don't need more than one set of sleeping clothes because even if you do have a place to crash chances are you will be too tired from you life to change into them much of the time.


After this meditate on the fact that less is always more and remember all those times you had loads and loads of laundry to do and how it could last all day.  Now it will take a few minutes of your time to get it all done in one fell swoop.  Also, cleaning your place will take less and less time and that will free up even more time for those daily meditations you will need to do to keep yourself straight with stress and disappointments.  


If you have access to a computer and you have one of those fancy cell phones that have been turned off, just so you know these make great music players.  Just go online and download some free meditation music or inspirational speakers on to them (and your favorite songs from all those Cd's you will eventually leave behind, you don't need the whole album anyway), plug in some head phones and you are your way to keeping insanity and despair at bay.  


Everyday even though you are poor and depressed by that, put on your favorite music and go for a brisk walk for at least 15 minutes at a time.  Do this as often as you can to keep yourself healthy and looking as good as you can, now is not the time to let yourself go.  Just keep in mind that the bigger you are, the more space your clothes will take up and the heavier they will be to carry.  





2 comments:

  1. You make good sense. It is so hard to give up stuff even when it is cluttering up your mind as well as your space. Thanks for the reminder to de-clutter both.

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  2. Practical advice. I myself prefer to live on less. Poverty is relative. Some people who are wealthy financially are poor in spirit, purpose, or health. Simplicity is great no matter what your financial level.

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