DW’s Mission Minimalist

The 100 items from DW

It was just last week that I sorted out all of my drawers and closets to give away 100 items to GoodWill.  And how actually easy it was…for a few reasons:

1. After backpacking for 25 days in Europe, I realized just how much “stuff” we all get accustomed to collecting.  Before I got on my 14hr international plane ride prior to my study abroad experience in Ireland, I struggled with how one packs their life for 5 months.  Then I arrived to my apartment and realized I had everything I needed.  Continuing the same storyline, I traveled all of mainland Europe out of a backpack.  I had everything I needed.  My mind gasped when I landed back to my Ireland apartment after the weeks of traveling, “Do I really need all this?”  Which leads me to my next point…
2. Traveling leads to people of all kinds and spokes.  This is one thing I love, thoroughly.  One night in a Galway, Ireland hostel, I met a middle-aged Canadian man who preceded to give me the low down of his life and adventures.  He was in Ireland traveling prior to his Spain, Santiago de Chile pilgrimage.  He told me the tale of how he just sold everything at his Canada dwelling, including the dwelling itself.  One, this speaks of how bold of an adventurous life he craved.  Two, he was a minimalist.  He even called himself that many times as we talked.  His lesson he spun to me was just how simple some things should be in life.  Less stuff, more simplicity.  I couldn’t agree more.
3. Now as I drive my car to the GoodWill store, (no I’m not texting blogging and driving, but is that illegal?) I realize what a gratifying feeling it is to give.  Gratification is key to simplicity.  Exactly why giving 100 items for a minimalist approach rewards the minimalist mind along with their storage units.
4. Lastly, a lesson taught from my mother:  Before buying new clothes, shoes, etc, always give away an item to make room.  The OneForOne movement if you will.  Blake Mycoskie can agree.  I believe we all know this rule of thumb (execption of TLC Hoarders) but who actually remembers to put the “DO” in it.

So, I’m curious…What was the last thing you gave away?  For a minimalist approach?  Comment below.

PS…I hope after writing this I will know how to spell minimalist without at least one spellcheck.

DW’s Opportunity Ad

Thought I’d try a new one.  An article, (more like request) to any viewers that frequent my blog, know me, or randomly stumbled upon InkedByDW.  After living in Ireland for the past five months, I have re-established what kind of an aspiring life I wish for.  So, here’s my makeshift classified ad turned opportunity to the viral world:

–DW seeks BIZ Opp, BIG/small–

Looking for internship/contacts/experience related to creative, funky, motivated teams of ppl in the marketing, advertising, entrepreneurial scene.  Ideal scene working for marketing/pr for niched music scene.  Open to other scenes too.  Specializing in copywriting, internet marketing, direct mail, event marketing, great relationships and funky glasses.  Chicago.  MPLS.  DM.  Or Dublin.

Prefer paid after helping out the IRE economy the best I can as a visiting, non-working student for 5 months.  Contact via email dkw [at] iastate.edu. Cheers.

As you can see, I’ve never shied  away from opportunity, even when it comes from a complete stranger.  This is just another one of my experiments to see how viral opportunity really is.  Looking forward to knowing soon…

Criaglist’s Personals. “So let’s go get married…”

Today as I was checking Craigslist today for biking supplies in Ireland (already excited for RAGBRAI), I came across a funny category.  The personals.  It was very interesting to read strangers’ wants and desires on Web 2.0.  Not on paper or a message in a bottle for that matter.  Online.  Naked to the WorldWideWeb.  And some of them were a bit of desperato. 

Why?  Well a few in particular wrote how they requested someone’s hand in marriage.  No dates.  Just hop on a plane and I’ll arrange the limo to the chapel.  Down to the point and for convenience.  I found that very interesting in many ways. 

How can some people fear the fear of belonging and love that much?  To basically go back to the Stone Age and have it randomly arranged.  Definitely missing a few sparks in my book.  Yet, they brought up the point of how many marriages lead to divorce. 

“Why does it matter if you know the person prior to one when it leads astray?” they question. 

Is there more fun in the journey of making it work upon meeting?  Possibly a good point they were making…or so they thought.  I feel that love cannot be looked at as a game in life.  And this is just another way of trying to play the cards right.  But only this time, you deal with no real bet (emotion) behind it.

As any psychology will tell a student of LIFE, love is the human emotion shared with another.  I think the Craiglist marriage requester lad skipped this class that day…probably due to his responsibility to the pub life.  Can we blame him? 

Below I’ve attached the link to his personal ad.  Respond if you feel the spark.

http://dublin.craigslist.org/m4w/2163092376.html