Web Zen Minimalism

My list of essentials. What do I have that isn't essential?

• Flowers. What can be more minimal than flowers? My flower is a bamboo plant. It sits in a vase in the window. All day, all night. It just sits there. Sometimes I look at it. The plant doesn't mind if I'm not around. The only requirement is watering. But it never asks for water. If I don't water it the plant will die, so I water it. Sometimes I look at it. The essence of simplicity.

• Paper. Going from complicated to simple, how difficult can it be? Thinking on paper helps.

• Vacuum cleaner. Technically, I could get by without one, but I'm sitting here thinking I'll use it after I write this. And the swiffer thing. Not sure if it's a genuine swiffer, but I can't imagine not sweeping the floor with it after vacuuming.

• Yoga mat. My yoga mat is the epicenter of my main goal, fitness. Bikram yoga, everyday. And I love the people there.

• A lamp and a book.

• Alarm clock radio.

• Set of keys.

• Wallet with cash. The cash comes in handy if I drop by Anna's Taqueria for a grilled vegetable burrito. The minimalist thing is really urging me to NOT get the large burrito. The small one is enough, no sour cream required. Guacamole? I don't know. Doesn't make enough of a difference to justify the extra expense.

• Laptop. What if I didn't have a laptop? Blogging would be more of a challenge. Sometimes it's nice just to turn it off.

• Cellphone. Confession. Sometimes I go out, but I leave my phone at home.

• Voicemail. Nice to not always hop to when the phone rings.

• Melita filter. Did I spell that right? A coffee loving minimalist needs a way to make a decent cup of coffe, right?