Hello zeninhabitants!
I am a minimalism geek, and my life is to a large degree centered around my computer. I do school work on it, I watch movies, listen to music, I keep in touch with people ++. This means I am able to get by with fewer possessions, but it's also making me feel like I'm shackled to my computer all day. It's also hard to do one thing at a time, like listening to music without also surfing the web.
I have told myself all along that it's not just about quantity, it's about keeping a balance, because it's ultimately about the quality of my life. But it seems I have been removing more than what is ideal. Since I believe in experimenting to find good solutions, I have decided to "spread out" my activities a little and see how I do. I have now separated music with a modest music system, so that I can listen with my computer off, and I'm also thinking about other ways to improve balance.
I am interested in hearing your takes on this. Where is your "balance"? Is convergence always a good thing for a minimalist? If you have any relevant stories I would love to hear them!
[Edit for clarity and fun]
Page
1
posts 1–6 of 6
+0
permalink
At this point in my life, I enjoy having the computer be the center-piece of my entertainment life. I'm a college student so I have a very small living space and an even smaller budget. I don't own a TV (though my roommates do), I watch movies I buy from iTunes on my computer, my music collection is exclusively digital, I only watch one or two T.V. shows and I usually download those as well. I like the simplicity implicit in having my computer be the focal point. I don't have to worry about ancillary pieces of equipment (either maintenance or management) and it allows me to keep the clean aesthetic and "look" that I prefer in my living space.
However, I'm not sure if I will be able to keep this setup when I enter "real life." First of all, I don't know if my girlfriend/wife will like the whole no-TV idea, even though that is what I would prefer. I'm interested in continuing to have my media be exclusively digital but perhaps purchasing an AppleTV or equivalent to stream video from my computer to my TV. The same with streaming music to a separate music system.
Perhaps finding a hobby that doesn't involve anything you need your computer for would be a possible solution. For example, even though I use my computer for watching TV, listening to music, doing school work etc., I also spend a lot of time reading which allows me to get away from the computer and avoid feeling 'shackled' to it.
I also am a minimalism geek so I look forward to having some interesting discussions with you in the future :)
However, I'm not sure if I will be able to keep this setup when I enter "real life." First of all, I don't know if my girlfriend/wife will like the whole no-TV idea, even though that is what I would prefer. I'm interested in continuing to have my media be exclusively digital but perhaps purchasing an AppleTV or equivalent to stream video from my computer to my TV. The same with streaming music to a separate music system.
Perhaps finding a hobby that doesn't involve anything you need your computer for would be a possible solution. For example, even though I use my computer for watching TV, listening to music, doing school work etc., I also spend a lot of time reading which allows me to get away from the computer and avoid feeling 'shackled' to it.
I also am a minimalism geek so I look forward to having some interesting discussions with you in the future :)
+0
permalink
Convergence is a slippery slope, as you have already discovered:
That convenience of being able to do everything at once makes it easy to establish an unnecessary habit of multitasking. This can develop to the point where single-tasking actually becomes difficult and you struggle to focus. I can personally say I got to a point where I had to make a concerted effort to cut down on computer time and re-learn single-tasking and focus, you're still at a point in your life where you can avoid getting to that level.
It's also not great to make your computer too central in your life. Dropping TV is great (and partners can get used to cutting down if not cutting out TV) but that doesn't really help if you just replace it with idle browsing or fidgeting on your PC. Rather replace it with something constructive, be it meditation or running or reading anything like that.
If you're getting to the point where your minimalism is negatively impacting your lifestyle, maybe it's time to step back and consider how much is too much. You have already picked up on the need for balance, and maybe just shifting around some of your activities (as you have with the simple sound system) will give you the balance you need.
I would highly suggest you read Leo's post on keeping your online life simple and peaceful, and you're welcome to check out a recent similarly themed post on my own blog (link in my sig).
*EDIT:
Spurlis, there are many ways to get your digital media from your PC to a TV (or elsewhere), and by the time you enter 'real life' as you put it, I'm sure there will be many more. I have an Xbox 360 and use TwonkyVision to make my PC based media available to it from my Ubuntu PC. As for your eventual wife/girlfriend and her take on TV, as long as you replace TV with activities you can enjoy together, I think you'll find any partner will be quite receptive to the change :)
It's also hard to do one thing at a time
That convenience of being able to do everything at once makes it easy to establish an unnecessary habit of multitasking. This can develop to the point where single-tasking actually becomes difficult and you struggle to focus. I can personally say I got to a point where I had to make a concerted effort to cut down on computer time and re-learn single-tasking and focus, you're still at a point in your life where you can avoid getting to that level.
It's also not great to make your computer too central in your life. Dropping TV is great (and partners can get used to cutting down if not cutting out TV) but that doesn't really help if you just replace it with idle browsing or fidgeting on your PC. Rather replace it with something constructive, be it meditation or running or reading anything like that.
If you're getting to the point where your minimalism is negatively impacting your lifestyle, maybe it's time to step back and consider how much is too much. You have already picked up on the need for balance, and maybe just shifting around some of your activities (as you have with the simple sound system) will give you the balance you need.
I would highly suggest you read Leo's post on keeping your online life simple and peaceful, and you're welcome to check out a recent similarly themed post on my own blog (link in my sig).
*EDIT:
I'm interested in continuing to have my media be exclusively digital but perhaps purchasing an AppleTV or equivalent to stream video from my computer to my TV.
Spurlis, there are many ways to get your digital media from your PC to a TV (or elsewhere), and by the time you enter 'real life' as you put it, I'm sure there will be many more. I have an Xbox 360 and use TwonkyVision to make my PC based media available to it from my Ubuntu PC. As for your eventual wife/girlfriend and her take on TV, as long as you replace TV with activities you can enjoy together, I think you'll find any partner will be quite receptive to the change :)
+0
permalink
Thank you for your replies!
The hobby thing is a good idea, spurlis! It's easy to have the computer be the default place to go for everything. Starting activities outside of the computer's grasp would be a great action to free myself of that thinking pattern. I will definitely do that.
FlintZA: I think I am not far away from that level. Concentrating on a book or listening to music without doing something else does require effort. Thanks for the article tips! There are some good ones both in Leo's and your articles (I particularly liked the planning ahead).
The hobby thing is a good idea, spurlis! It's easy to have the computer be the default place to go for everything. Starting activities outside of the computer's grasp would be a great action to free myself of that thinking pattern. I will definitely do that.
FlintZA: I think I am not far away from that level. Concentrating on a book or listening to music without doing something else does require effort. Thanks for the article tips! There are some good ones both in Leo's and your articles (I particularly liked the planning ahead).
+0
permalink
It's a pleasure, and yeah the planning ahead makes a HUGE difference :)
Page
1
posts 1–6 of 6
This Topic Is Locked To Guest Posts
It's been a while since this topic was active, if you'd like to get it going again, please post as a registered member
