And for My Next Magic Trick...

And for My Next Magic Trick... I conduct countless experiments. Not those bunny-rabbit-in-a-cage kind of experiments, but real-life tests of self that get me outside my comfort zone, allow me to grow, and force me to learn myriad things about myself along the way. Through these experiments, Ive discovered more than I ever thought possible: learning my limits, testing my habits, stretching my mind, confronting my darkness. The point of these experiments is not to limit myself, thoughâ€"at least not in the long term. Minimalism has never been about deprivation. Rather, I limit myself in the short term so I can learn about myself, learn about my psyche, and ultimately identify what is meaningful in my life. Often these changes stick, becoming empowering habits that make my life more meaningful; other times, I gain a deeper understanding of myself even though I discontinue the experiment. My past experiments include Getting rid of Internet at home Getting rid of my phone for two months Living with no goals Killing time Exercising eighteen minutes per day Clearing my plate Daily happiness updates Getting rid of 90% of my stuff Going vegan for a year (q.v. Minimalism) Intermittent fasting Waking at 3:30am Checking my email less than once a day Living in the moment Ryans packing party Not buying stuff for a year Leaving the corporate world Other experiments Im considering Getting rid of email altogether No Internet usage for a month Juice fasting for ten days Reading a book a week Publishing one short story each month How about youâ€"what are you considering? Send me a message on Twitter and let me know. Subscribe to The Minimalists via email.