The moment I realized I was addicted

I just needed one more. That would do it. That would make me the person I needed to be.

Guitars, of course.

It was my propensity to buy guitars that made me realize that I was addicted to things. I was addicted to buying things. I couldn’t help it. I would buy them and then sell them so I could buy another one. Buying low and selling high so I could always trade up. I think at the height of my collection I had around thirty. I never really kept great inventory because it would move so fast.

The moment that I realized I was addicted to buying was the day after I ordered my dream guitar. I had thought long and hard about this. It was a 1962 reissue, sonic blue, Fender Custom Shop guitar. It would have gold hardware. It would have a humbucker in the bridge, but in a single coil housing — stacked poles. Mint green pick guard. I knew just where the relic markings were going to go. Rosewood slab. I dreamed it up and then I ordered it. I had just placed the order for my dream guitar. I was about to own my dream guitar.

The next day, I bid on a gold top Les Paul on eBay.

That was the moment that I realized I wasn’t able to be satisfied. That things — even the things that made me the happiest — would never cure my desire for more of the things.

So I made the decision to quit things.

I realized two things about myself. One, I had a lot of things. Two, none of them made me so happy that I didn’t want more things. It was that realization that made me decide I was going to give up on things.

So I did.

I sold them all — and most of my other stuff too. I still have a few guitars. I decided to keep enough so that each of my kids could have a guitar should any of them decide to play someday. If not, they can do with it what they wish.

My pursuit of minimalism is this same basic concept. Once I pinpoint the things in my life that aren’t bringing me joy, I do my best to eliminate them — physical or not. On the flip side of this, I now make a conscious effort to fill my life only with the things that bring me the most joy. Some of these things are as follows. Watching my son play soccer on Saturday mornings. Playing chase with my daughters. Binge watching a series with my wife. These are the things I want to make more room for. Minimalism is helping me achieve that.

My friend once asked me why I had so many guitars. He reminded me that I could only play them one at a time.

He was right.

This post originally appeared on minimalist.today

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