In the movie Zoolander, the character Jacobim Mugatu described minimalism as being “so hot right now”.....OK, not really. It was Derek Zoolander, but minimalism is a “trendy” thing right now. That’s not why I’m starting this blog. There’s much, much more to it than that.
Let’s step back for a moment. Hi! My name is Craig Harmann. I’m a 40 year old husband, father of 2 girls, full-time church musician who has way too much stuff. Chances are you do too. But it’s more than just stuff that may be cluttering your life. Do you feel unfocused at times? Struggling to maintain discipline in eating healthy, exercising, or other aspects of your life? That’s why I’m starting this blog. Not only to tell my story and keep me motivated and accountable, but my prayer is that it helps encourage others as well.
So how did this whole thing get started for me? Well, I’ve always loved stuff. Having stuff, collecting stuff. I collected baseball and sports cards, spent so much time and energy with them and then one day when I was college, I decided to throw them out. Literally. As I’ve gotten married and had kids, my stuff has increased and I’ve become overwhelmed. Last January, I found a documentary on Netflix titled “Minimalism: A documentary about the important things”. So I watched. And I wanted to do all of what they talked about. Then I discovered they had a podcast. So I started listening. And then I discovered another minimalist blogger and author named Joshua Becker.
But in the midst of all of this, in March of 2017, my life changed dramatically. My dad, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in November of 2016, passed away. My dad was a collector. He was a child of parents who lived through the depression. And after having his first wife leave him with no physical possessions, things, specifically family things, meant a lot to him. So now, my mom, my sisters and I are left to go through all of this stuff and do something about it.
Oh, I forgot to mention where I live. Houston, Texas. In August, my area was dramatically changed. I don’t think any parents have named their child Harvey since August. People lost the choice to keep or get rid of stuff. When 50 inches of rain falls, it’s gone. Thankfully for myself and my family, that was not an issue. Our house was dry. But all of this has led me to realize that this is important. And I needed to start this now. In December. My busiest time of the year.
So as we go, I’ll be writing posts on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays. In the month of December, I’ll also be posting daily updates of my 31 day minimalism challenge. Later on today, I’ll post my 1 item to get rid of. Tomorrow, it will be 2 and so on. What will I do with it? Either sell it, donate it, or pitch it. I do not claim to be an expert on minimalism. I’m still learning as I’m going. I still have a bunch of junk in my house that needs to go. And it will.
I encourage you to join me in the journey. Check the two pages “Who is the Minimalist Musician” and “What is Minimalism?” Join The Minimalist Musician Facebook page. Tell others about the blog and encourage them to check it out! I look forward to where this journey will go!
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Wow....this is a daunting endeavor. I can totally relate. Due to my only sibling, my younger sister predeceasing my parents and me, and my father’s death in 2000, and after my being the sole caretaker for my mother who passed on Ash Wednesday in 2011, I had no one to help go through EVERYTHING in desks, tables, bureaus, closets etc. in their house....oh and the cellar...oh my. It was a million decisions about what to donate, (huge amounts), throw away (huge) and what to keep for myself (very little) in preparation for an immense auction of all the wonderful antique furniture, art, and more....as I had my own home with my own things. 2 months after my mother’s death, my husband suddenly passed on Memorial Day in May. MORE things to go through and immerse amounts of paperwork as he was a retired veteran. And as the auction of my ancestors’s furniture, art, etc. which I had been surrounded by in growing up, was advertised in several national collectors auction magazines, I could not change the June 18 date. It would have been excruciating if I had time to allow myself to feel or grieve (I was also serving a church as organist/choir director, gotten them through Easter, and they graciously gave me a leave of absence to tend to everything) as relentlessly I quickly sorted through everything in getting ready for the auction. There is of course more to the story. But often something my paternal grandmother would say when I was just a kid would echo in my mind in this process I wouldn’t wish on anyone. It was, “Blessed be nothing. I’d be satisfied to have only 1 teacup”. And she as well as my parents had lived through the Great Depression. Although I was pretty ruthless in letting go of SO VERY many things as not having any offspring to hand things down to (couldn’t have children), there are definitely many things important to me which I had in my own home which tell the story of me, as I’m the “last of my tribe”...no cousins etc. At least at this point in time they are too precious to me and would feel like a true loss to give away or sell. I look forward to reading your blog....this takes much courage for you. Wishing you all the best in this process.
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