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Learning from the boots I've been wearing for over 10 years: how to live with essentials.


Is there an item that makes you feel confident when you wear it, like Ted Mosby's red boots in HIMYM? Or is there an item that you always wear when you're in a pinch?

In my case, it's these Danner boots. I bought them over 10 years ago when I was a student, using a large amount of money I had saved up from a part-time job. I took these boots everywhere I went, to Hawaii, New Zealand, the US mainland, Singapore, Bali, and Poland. When I think back on these boots, I realize that they are connected to the recent changes in my way of thinking about things.




Encounter

At that time, I had moved from high school to university and had a lot of freedom.

You can choose your hairstyle freely, you don't have to wear a uniform, and you can work part-time.

Like a typical fresh college student, I immediately dyed my hair and started a part-time job.


I commuted to Seinan Gakuin University, which was an hour away each way, on a fixed-gear bike (a light racing bicycle).


People who have been to Fukuoka

I'm sure you're familiar with the area called Daimyo.

There are many clothing select shops run by individuals.

There, I happened to come across a shop that sold American casual clothing, and bought these boots.

Before purchasing the boots, I also bought clothes and shoes, and I used them for a long time.




The store manager, Mr. M, is a really friendly person and if I hadn't met him, I probably wouldn't have bought these boots.


It's kind of uncomfortable going into a shop alone.

I hate it when a store clerk comes up to me and asks, "Are you looking for something?"


I think that distance was a really good thing for Mr. M. And more than anything, I really felt that he was enjoying his life (and his work).


They spend a lot of time talking about things that are unrelated to clothes or what they are selling (such as their favorite music or hobbies).


I don't need to buy clothes, so come and play whenever you want.

When I went to the store, they would ask me if I had time today and buy me a coffee from the vending machine in front of the store.

We started talking about music and he introduced me to an artist called G.LOVE and lent me his CD.

They even let me model the clothes they sell.


They treated me very casually.


And so,

Meet these Danner boots.


I think it cost almost 80,000 yen, a very expensive purchase for a student.


However, I still remember what Mr. M said to me at that time. (I think he probably said something like this.)


"The more you wear these boots, the more they'll fit your feet. And the older they get, the more mellow they'll become. These boots will grow old with you. I'm sure they'll look amazing when Takuya grows up," said Mr. M, showing me some boots he's been wearing for a long time.




Now, more than 10 years later, I'm still wearing these boots.

I'm not the type of person who is attached to things, but these boots

I took it with me wherever I moved (Hawaii, New Zealand, Singapore, Bali, Europe).



I'm sure many people (including myself) have the same impression of store clerks.

This guy is trying to sell me something!

and my guard up.


However, it was one of those encounters that made me feel glad that I wasn't shutting myself down in an odd way, but instead was simply enjoying a conversation with a stranger.


And Ms. M showed me what it's like to be a "cool adult" when I was still somewhere between a student and an adult at the time. I'm sure I wanted to become an adult like her.





Minimalist vs. Essentialist


Thinking back on these boots, I realized they were connected to a recent change in my thinking.


Up until now, I've been strict with myself about everything I do, based on the idea that I should cut out everything that I don't need.


For example, even though I felt like I wanted a carpet, I told myself not to buy one because I could live without it.


It may be a mix of what is commonly referred to as "minimalism" and "stoicism."


Recently, this thinking has changed.


If having this carpet in your life makes you happy, then I will buy it.


In other words, fill your days with the things you love.


I think it's probably close to " essentialism ."



Going back to the topic of boots, it's warm all year round in Hawaii and Bali so there's no need to bring such huge boots, and in fact I think it would be better not to bring them because they're just too bulky.


But if wearing these boots makes you feel as confident as Hugh Jackman in "The Greatest Showman,"


If wearing these boots makes walking the streets of Bali a 10 times happier experience,


You should take these boots.




Changing from a minimalist to an essentialist mindset has definitely resulted in me owning more things.


I no longer compromise on the room I live in, the clothes I wear, or the hairstyle I have every day.


However, that doesn't mean you should just buy something you think looks good. It's important to be patient and not compromise.


First, visualize your ideal life as specifically as possible.


I use Pinterest .


We all have things that make us feel good, but it can be hard to put them into words. That's where Pinterest comes in.


I pin things that I think are good or that make me feel good when I see them.


Room, clothes, trail running


You can categorize them like this, or just pin whatever you like.


This will allow you to see commonalities.


By comparing photos of the pinned rooms, you can see things like, "I want this carpet fabric," or "I want curtains in this color."


Once you understand that, you will not buy anything until you find the ideal product. Even if you think something might be good, set a strict standard for yourself.



At the same time as buying things, I've also learned to get rid of things I don't like.


I received it, so I can still use it.


Are you still using a hat or towel that you just don't like?


If I don't love it 100%, I remove it from my lifestyle. I am very particular about this too.





You may also be able to use Pinterest to discover your own color pattern taste beyond categories.


In my case, I noticed that Boho colors were a common theme in both my trail running photos and my room photos.

Once you understand this, you can use your own color palette taste as a standard.


By carefully choosing the items you place in your room and wear, you can create a lifestyle that makes you comfortable and happy.


I am currently working on building a lifestyle based on my color palette taste, so I hope to update you on this in a future blog.

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