An old Swiss friend of mine, who recently sold his chalet in the mountains and moved to the south side of the Alps, now only owns four plates, four forks, four knives, and four glasses for entertaining. Christian was always a popular man who hosted large group of friends on the weekends. By only owning a few plates, he will now invite one or two people at a time but will spend quality time with each of his visitors.
Almost everyone knows who Marie Kondo, the Japanese organizing consultant, is. Her book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, is a best-seller. Her famous line: "Only keep what makes you happy," is a well-known mantra. Kondo's organizing and weeding-out approach set off a decluttering craze across the globe. What is so magical and revolutionary about her idea? Nothing! Most of us own too many unnecessary, useless things. Just look into your closets and open your drawers: it's time to reduce and simplify.
I must tell you about Cédric Waldburger, a successful, modern entrepreneur who recently was featured in a documentary on Swiss TV. Cédric is a young man who owns only 64 items. Laptop, sneakers, T-shirts, jacket, portable coffee mug, socks, toiletries, all kept in black. "Why all black?" he was asked by the TV reporter. "I travel a lot for my business; black matches everything, plus dark things are easier to spot on hotel beds, which have primarily white linens." This digital nomad loves the fact that he can carry all his possessions on his back.
Cédric does not own a house or an apartment. He uses Airbnb's, shared workspaces worldwide, and when back home in Switzerland, stays at a friend's place or at his parent's house. "It makes me happy to possess so little,” Cédric proclaims, "I am not distracted by unnecessary things; instead, I can focus on life."
And then there are the forest men (Waldmenschen), a group of humans who live in the woods on the outskirts of the Swiss capital city, Bern. These men had enough of the daily grind, a phenomenon that more and more people in industrialized countries feel. Most of them have shaggy beards, long hair, and simple clothing. They live in self-made shelters under big pine trees. Together they prepare meals, wash their clothes in a nearby river and enjoy the quiet of nature. Some stay for a few months, some for a couple of years. It's their time out from the materialistic world, the information overload, and obsessive consumerism.
I, too, want to own less. Where do I start? Significant changes begin with small steps. This morning, while taking my shower, I counted five different plastic bottles with shampoos, liquid soap, conditioner, and face wash. Do I need all those products? What did our grandparents use? A simple bar of soap.
So be it. That's my first step. Remember, simplicity is sophistication.