Minimalist Me?

A coworker told me that he heard I was a minimalist. Obviously he read this blog.  This caused a moment of reflection because I see so much in my home that probably could go.  I told him I was a minimalist back slider.  Perhaps many who strive for frugality and minimalism look in the mirror and wonder if they make the cut.  Yes we listened to minimalist pod casts, and we occasionally select a closest or room to minimalize.  However when does one arrive and can wear the minimal badge proudly?

I immediately wanted to tell my coworker of my excess in the early 2000s that lead to my bankruptcy,  living off credit cards and living the American debt dream.  He explained he moved into a home with 500 less square feet.  I wanted to blow my horn of achieving financial independence though minimal living and frugality.  Then I realized as Solomon - it was all vanity.  I realized my greatest gift to him was to keep my mouth shut and intently listen to his struggle of downsizing.  

It created a moment of insecurity in me.  Was frugality and minimalism something to be ashamed of?  My wife and I do not go without.  All our NEEDS are meet.  Out home is pleasant,  we eat out with friends once a week, we have nice clothes.  Yes we could afford new cars, to eat out three times a week, and the newest styles, but we already did that in our 40s.  For me it ended up standing in front of a creditor committee in bankruptcy court explaining why pizza shows up in my checking account statements so much.

It seems to be all about context and keeping my mouth shut.  Obviously my coworker learned the hard lessons of minimalism.  Who am I to steal his thunder.

TheLateFrugal

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