So I recently read “The Power of Less” by Leo Babuata (AND listened to the audiobook) and it got me thinking. Those who know me know that I already live pretty minimally; I don’t feel the need for the latest greatest electronics unless it offers a big jump in features, I get most of my books from the library, I have no CDs or DVDs but rather have all music and movies on my computer, etc. That part I had down, but I started noticing other places where “less” can make a big difference.
Take shampoo; I keep my hair short and so I noticed that it take a dollop of shampoo the size of a dime to do the job. The same goes for shaving cream; did you ever notice how little shaving cream it takes to cover a face? Even toothpaste; why fill the brush when half a brush is more than enough (with less spitting!). The key here is not necessarily save money since these things don’t cost much, but it does save me time if I only have to buy these things half as often.
Give it a try; use less. You might be surprised.
I do draw the line at toilet paper though; I will continue to yank that roll like I am trying to start a flooded lawnmower. And I’ll always have a plunger by my side.
Tell me that is your bathroom in real life. Lie to me if you must.
P.S. Two squares at a time is all you will ever need if you switch to Charmin Ultra Strong. I swear.
That can’t be Wayne’s bathroom. The rolls aren’t all set to precisely 1/3 sheet exposed!
Wayne, I’m concerned about your simultaneous use of 12 rolls of toilet paper. I just realized that you’re THAT GUY who busts open the spare fresh roll in the public restroom before the active roll is completely finished. I bet the fact that you can draw off of 2 rolls of toilet paper in public makes you really happy. So does this blog post mean that you’re potentially going to cut back to just one roll at a time tho? Cottonelle Wipes: discuss.
You know, I’ve gotten into the same habits the past year or so. I don’t know what “turned” me, as I didn’t read a book, but I just looked around and thought “What a wasteful society”. I guess I’ve become a minimalist. No cable TV. Switched cell phone plans. Got an apartment that includes heat AND A/C. I get so frustrated at waste. I have no idea what caused this.
All those rolls are going the wrong way!!! ;-p