A minimalist gets more minimal
A few weeks ago, I decided to put myself on a social media diet.
In an article on my personal site, I indicated that the reason for stepping back was a week-wasting infatuation with Google Buzz, a new web service I blamed for sapping my time and productivity. As much as I like Buzz, I decided to set it aside and restrict my involvement elsewhere. My intention was to slim things down for a week or so, and get serious about launching a site I began discussing in January, The Minimalist Century.
One week became several, my head cleared, and so did the truth: the problem wasn’t social media, it was my priorities. Time to begin applying a little minimalism to the equation.
More Minimal will continue
I’ve decided to not to pursue The Minimalist Century project. I had a rule during my radio career: If you’re having consistent trouble writing about or describing a product, there are probably deeper problems than simple writer’s block. It took me a while to realize this was the case with The Minimalist Century.
And the issue was simple: I wasn’t enjoying it. While I don’t put much stock in lifestyle management gurus, Gary Vaynerchuk‘s key insight — that you should love what you do unreservedly, and don’t do what you don’t love — is high-octane minimalism. I feel passionately about the topics I touched upon in Welcome to the Minimalist Century, but also have other interests, such as carfree living. So I’ll continue to write about the Minimalist Century here.
I’ve already brought some of the layout from The Minimalist Century site to More Minimal, and you’ll be seeing more changes soon. More Minimal will essentially become my personal blog. Since simpler living is an important part of my life, it will remain this site’s primary topic.
Closing doors, opening others
My operational pause has given me some time to re-evaluate some other old projects. Like everyone else, I tend to cling to things. Among them have been web projects which still hold sentimental value, but are no longer productive. I’ve shuttered several in the past few weeks, including Snarfd, Green Remix, and the More Minimal linkblog (the Snarfd and Green Remix domains are for sale). I’ve also made some plans for Lighter Footstep, and may be in a position to announce these soon.
My personal site, Chris Baskind dot com, will be converted from a casual blog to a business site. Over the past year, my interest in web development has progressed from the hobbyist stage to something more formal. I’ve recently created sites for a Houston-based energy company, business blogger Valeria Maltoni, a Pensacola fitness center, and EarthFirst (and I can build one for you, too — just drop me a note). CB.com will become a hub for my web development efforts and professional projects.
I’ve also chosen a new site project that really excites me. I’ll be sharing more about this as it matures.
The social media diet continues
The break has been good for me, so I’ll keep my social media dow to a dull roar for a little while longer. I remain committed to Twitter, Facebook, and More Minimal’s Facebook page. Please feel free to connect with me there.
This minimalist gets more minimal. Never let it be said that i don’t eat my own dog food, along with a little crow.
Photo credit: Flickr user Tony the Misfit, distributed under a Creative Common license.
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About the author
Chris Baskind writes about the environment and simpler living. He's also an advocate of carfree transportation, relying entirely on bicycles since June, 2009.Three years ago, Chris launched Lighter Footstep, a pioneering website focused on greener, healthier, more affordable living. It was recently acquired by the Mother Nature Network (MNN). Connect with Chris on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn.
Welcome Back Chris,
If it feel right then do it.
Looking forward to more posts on simple living
Thanks, Greg! Feels good so far.
Hey Chris,
I've been going through a series of exercises to minimize, myself, partly inspired by what you've been saying here on your blog, and then writing about it on my own.
Not too long ago I killed all of my Google Reader subscriptions, reduced the number of social networks I'm involved on (I disabled Buzz, but hooked it up to rebroadcast everything, a la my FriendFeed), among other things.
I wanted my focus to be on producing content, not on consuming it. Reducing the number of collection buckets (inboxes) where stuff collects, and putting rules into place about what goes in, and then how it’s processed, is fundamental to this goal.
Also, personally, while I do like the idea of what you're calling “The Minimalist Century”, I think the “More Minimal” brand is the stronger of the two.
Keep on Minimizin'!
Chris.
We're on precisely the same track.
Frankly, I think the skillsets for producing and disseminating content are rather different. Like you, I'd rather create. Being a top-tier content curator is completely worthwhile, but it seems to be a different game. I wrote about this a couple of years back:
http://chrisbaskind.com/2008/06/19/do-you-make-...
I'd also like to share your site with the class, Chris:
http://www.chrisgurney.ca/
But my question is – do you still have a fridge?
just kidding.
I never found the interest to get involved with G Buzz, so I'm a little relieved to see you gave it up. As I saw on Miss Minimalist – “Unattachment! Unattachment!” My new favorite mantra.
I have a fridge, but there's almost nothing in it. Does that count?
sorry, negatory.
Hmm (she murmurs to herself as she taps her chin thoughtfully) dare I challenge you to get rid of it? sell it…give it away….? will ponder further upon this.
Hey, I'm cutting the apron strings on the unused car, at least.
Good luck with all your plans. I've cut back so much over the past fortnight; even no longer on twitter and facebook much.
I was burning out, depressed, exhausted, crying; so something had to give. I intend to scale everything down after finding out what my true values in life are so that I can structure my 'must dos' around that and nothing else.
I admire what you are doing. I hope you find inner peace and a true sense of purpose.
Thanks for the plug! I've been thinking lately of rebranding my own blog to focus on minimization, and sustainability, and take it away from the professional track that I was originally thinking I would focus on. One blog is enough.
As always, I look forward to your next post!