Comments on: Tips for Nomads

By: Julia

Julia — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 21:16:08 +0000

Yeah, things can switch catagories. They can go from any catagory to any other catagory.

I had a bag I loved and felt connected to but offered to trade it to someone because she had a friend who loved Cuba and my bag had pictures of Cuba on it. In that moment it was her call as to what catagory the bag was in. She turned down the trade and I felt the bag go back into catagory #3.

By: Cfraser

Cfraser — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 17:38:35 +0000

I like your categories, Julia. I suppose everyone has these categories, or similar ones, at least sub-consciously. Most people, I would imagine, probably keep most of their possessions in category 3.

During big changes in my life I’ve given most of my possessions away with no feeling of regret. But there are certain items I’ve kept for years and years. I suppose these are the mine items.

Can things move from Category 3 to 1, or 2? Or once they reach 3 is that it?

By: Tim Boucher

Tim Boucher — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 05:01:53 +0000

You can’t take it with you, as they say!

By: Julia

Julia — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 00:32:31 +0000

You’re right about the redefining ritual. I have three catagories of possessions; 1] things I bought, 2] things I bought and like for some reason, 3] things that are mine. Sometimes something is mine from the beginning but usually it has to go through a process, either through being worn/used during a meaningful/memorable event or through getting stained/scuffed. Sometimes something never gets to be mine even though I own it for a long time. Occasionally I have to give something away and get a clear message that such-and-such never became mine because I was just keeping it for someone else.

By: Tim Boucher

Tim Boucher — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 20:51:44 +0000

It doesn’t matter if you purchase “that much” - it simply matters that you purchase.

But I feel like this is moving in a direction where it could be construed as me saying you shouldn’t purchase anything. That’s stupid and moreover impractical. If you are going to purchase though, take ownership over the process and consider the implications of “keeping it in the family” so to speak.

By: Cfraser

Cfraser — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 07:49:15 +0000

Well, I actually don’t purchase that much; the corporations are very disappointed with me as a consumer/producer.

But you are right, the ‘mine’ behind the purchase and the identifying with objects has become an inherent part of our society.

By: Tim Boucher

Tim Boucher — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 02:16:37 +0000

giving up the material and comfort that the material brings isâ€¦challenging.

Actually, it is not the actual materials that makes materialism so addictive. It is the ritual action and chemical/emotional rush of instantly re-defining image of self by re-categorizating an object to the status of “mine” through the act of purchase.

Consumerism thrives on the liquidity of self-identification, but requires that the ritual act of changing yourself be associated with the purchasing of goods and services.

I know that sounds complicated, but it just means buying stuff feels good. The trick is not to stop buying stuff, but to hook the ritual action of purchasing and materialism into a greater conceptual framework, so that all your actions point in one unified direction and support one another.

By: Cfraser

Cfraser — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 01:35:33 +0000

Nice list. I’ve always been attracted to a ‘nomadic’ life - and compared to most people I’ve lived such a life - but giving up the material and comfort that the material brings is…challenging. It takes a special breed to embrace the nomad lifestyle, but the rewards in terms of experience gained must be great.

I like to think I’m not driven by monetary concerns, and although my bank account would attest to that, I’m still drawn and influenced on a daily basis by the rat-race. It takes a conscious effort to remind myself that that lifestyle is an illusion and not for everyone.

One of my favorite quotes: “A wanderer’s danger is to find comfort.” I don’t know who it’s attributed to, but I find the image comforting.