simplicity and flow (a guest post)
Since first reading the masterpiece on optimal psychology, Flow, I have been looking for ways to enter into this state && sustain it. Simplicity && minimalism have been huge keys in this process :: by eliminating excess, the essential is able to speak. By streamlining your life, you allow yourself to be a clearer conduit for flow (( aka “being in the zone” )). Being a nomad, I have seen this first hand time && time again.
Case in point :: I am a bit of sneak freak. At one point in time not long ago, I had 80 plus pairs of sneakers, sandals && slippers. While this isn’t a huge amount compared to most sneaker aficionados, it was considerably more (( generally about 10 times as much )) as most people I would come into contact w/. While having such a wide spectrum of choices available was very appealing, I eventually realized that if I was gonna live a simple, mobile lifestyle, most of them would have to go. After years of gifting (( mostly unworn, still in the box )) pair after pair to friends && random people I would meet w/ the same size shoe, I am where I am now, w/ my total number of kicks countable on one hand.
You can’t just have 80 plus pairs of sneakers, you have to have a wardrobe to go w/ it. I however was never the type to buy shoes to go w/ outfits, it was always the other way around. Needless to say, I acquired a very full closet as well — && along w/ a full closet. Full closet in a full room in a full apartment in a overly full life. I felt overwhelm’d w/ all that I had acquired && when a friend of mind “jokingly” comment’d on how materialistic I was (( I’v never consider’d my self such, in fact, I’m often view’d as the opposite )) I realized somewhere along the line things got out of hand. Soon thereafter I was donating box after box to good will && letting many possessions make their way into the lives of those who came into contact w/ me.
After nearly 2 very full years of downsizing, a huge goal of mine is insight — living w/ nothing more than my beloved backpack (( backpacks were my number one accessory in regards to my kicks )). Tho I still have a way to go, my goal is basically to just have my computer, my clothes && a few personal effects (( rubik cube, bhagavad gita && japa beads )). Being a nomadic web work’r, I continually am looking for ways to streamline my work flow while still maintaining a sustainable life. This is one of the major reasons why I got a G1 last November. It essentially serves as my computer while traveling until I need to dock at laptop or desktop for heavy lifting (( in regards to coding )).
This January I will be flying out to New York to spend some time w/ a good friend of mine. While many travelers stress about what to pack (( even for short trips )), I will not be facing this dilemma when it comes time to take flight. Not only will I not have to stress about what to pack (( because I’ll be packing pretty much everything I own )), but I won’t have to worry about checking any bags. Just a backpack && a simple life of flow.
Flash is a Zen Life.Style Design’r who lives && works at flowologist.info // He can be reach’d on twitter @flowologist or via a telephone @409.Flogram
Photo by hbireau
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