Downsizing
In my previous entry I mentioned that I was contemplating downsizing my possessions, including my wardrobe, even further. I didn't spend much time on deciding what to keep and what not to keep, as I simply kept the items I use most often. Some items wore out so much that I could not use them any longer. It's one of the biggest issues with an extremely small wardrobe: things wear out from use and perhaps also due to exposure to water, since one washes them much more often. I find signs of wear beautiful, but at some point items approach the end of their life as wearable objects. I kept three shirts, two pairs of trousers, two pairs of shorts and a sweatshirt. I also kept my partner's white t-shirt which I wear most often and a very old pair of trousers which I will recycle later this year. I also have a light jacket and a vest which I brought from Sweden. There is also a large grey woollen scarf and three hemp and linen scarves. There are two backpacks and several cotton bags that I use for groceries, storage, as everyday bags, etc.
While ecological sustainability is naturally on my mind when I practise living with much less than what is normal in this society, there are so many other dimensions to this mode of being. There is a social dimension, or challenging the norm of looking different every day. It often provokes conversations with students and other fellow humans. There is a spiritual dimension, as I practise non-attachment and simplicity, paying attention to other things in life (care, love, kindness etc.) rather than ensuring that I look presentable or attractive to someone else. There is an aesthetic dimension, as I am surrounded by the colours I find calming and beautiful. There is a practical dimension: it is much easier to live with less. Very little of my energy goes towards deciding what to wear. Everything is easy to care for. Everything can be used in different spaces, though of course I look more casual than others at work and at conferences, though I am absolutely fine with it.
I still believe that small-scale actions (including altering one's consumption pattern) matter, not least because there are so many positive outcomes in addition to the ecological dimension. Living with very few possessions is a spiritual practice, not simply ecological. When my fellow humans say something along the lines of "it doesn't matter how many items of clothing you own, what matters more is who you vote for" creates unnecessary oppositions and diminishes the value of everyday practices.
As for the wardrobe itself, I do not think there is a blueprint or a perfect way to practise extreme minimalism. It depends on one's preferences and circumstances. For example, I live in a Nordic country and need to own a jacket and a scarf. I find neutral colours serene, someone else might prefer bright colours, and there is nothing wrong with that. I also prefer very simple clothes. My "uniform" for many years has been joggers and a shirt. I wear this outfit when I lecture, attend conferences, go for a walk, work from home, and so on.
Most of the time my fellow humans are curious about this practice and even supportive, but at times there is some judgement. Many years ago I decided to not wear a bra. In fact I wore it only on and off for a few years in my life and in my early twenties I came to a conclusion that it was not something I wanted to continue doing. During these many years, I've received many comments and questions about my practice, but I do not ever plan to stop practising bra-free living. I strongly believe that it's every human's right to choose whether they want to wear it or not.
Overall, my relationship with the objects I live with is dynamic. It is not the number of objects that matters, but rather the relationship itself and the underlying values that manifest in one's practice.