Reinvention: Reality or Myth?

The phrase “reinventing yourself” shows over one million results in an online search. If you search for “reinvention” on amazon.com, it will show over a couple thousand results. You can be a complete idiot and still find a guide to reinvent yourself! Social media groups interested in reinventing something abound as well. Reinvent your body, your business, your relationships, and more! I think it’s safe to say that “reinvention” is a popular topic. I wonder if it’s a particularly American theme as we Americans have a history of starting fresh (frontier spirit) and being in love with the idea of self-improvement.

I think a lot about this topic a lot whether I plan for a new home or job, or whether I simply desire a change in my habits and lifestyle. I make plans and list my reasons. I try to consider my options objectively and logically. But that is my head speaking. My heart also speaks—I can start fresh, explore a new place, learn new skills, live a better and more peaceful life, and, and, and . . . The idea of reinvention is hard to resist.

Simply changing a home or job doesn’t guarantee reinvention or happiness, of course. Nor am I naïve enough to think that the grass is always greener elsewhere (at least not all the grass). Writing down a list or resolutions at New Year doesn’t mean you’ll carry them out either, especially if you believe those annoying statistics on the success rate of resolutions.

Nevertheless, I still believe people can change themselves and their lives. When I began on this minimalist journey, I would have said that my books are off limits. Yet as I began moving towards living simpler, I slowly but surely took a second look at my book collection. I began to prioritize what I considered important and what I could let go. It happened over the period of a year, and I continue to review my books and other possessions with a discerning eye. Many people wanting to simplify have similar experiences with whatever they first considered off limits. Change may not happen in one weekend, but progress is still change.

Most years I make some resolutions, often geared towards better habits and making my life simpler and more peaceful. Do I often forget about them? Sure, but I return to them and try again. Gretchen Rubin organizes her book, The Happiness Project, by months with themes for each one. She also suggests a one-word theme for the year in her podcast. That’s pretty minimal, and I’ve certainly gone that direction at times. Making resolutions or goals or a word for the year is my way of staying optimistic that some kind of reinvention is possible. I may not reach the end goal, but I’m a lot closer than if I had never made the effort.

For most of us, I suspect that reinvention is neither reality nor myth—it’s somewhere in-between. People interested in minimalism and simplicity want that minimal household and peace of mind. They want to reinvent their lives by letting go of physical and emotional clutter. I believe it’s possible, but it’s not a quick or effortless process. I’ve been working towards reinventing myself and my life for quite some time, and I feel content where it’s taken me so far. I’m not done reinventing aspects of my life, but I’m enjoying the journey.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. (Lao Tzu)

RESOURCES

Davidson, Jeff  The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Reinventing Yourself

Millburn, Joshua Fields and Ryan Nicodemus Essential: Essays by The Minimalists, Everything That Remains, Minimalism: Live a Meaningful Life

Rubin, Gretchen. The Happiness Project, Better Than Before, Happier with Gretchen Rubin (podcast), http://www.gretchenrubin.com/

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