on the subject of downsizing...

I just read a post that really stopped me in my tracks where the whole subject of downsizing is concerned.

Around boats the term downsizing gets a lot of use. Especially when the discussion turns to cruising boats and sailing off into the sunset. The problem I have with downsizing is that it means different things to different people.

For me, the idea of downsizing is about simplifying and getting rid on needless clutter in one’s life. For some, it is simply an opportunity or excuse to buy a lot of stuff to fill their new smaller space.

The question is, is it really downsizing if you’re spending a significant amount of time making lists of things to buy or spend money on? At what point is downsizing just an excuse to feed your consumerist habit?

So many people buy boats and then gut them of perfectly adequate systems. Systems they’ll replace with something new that does the same thing.

I get the fact that we all want to make a new place our own. While buying a new sink, chart plotter, or new stove seems like it’s needful if you’re replacing stuff that works it’s a step backward. Or to put it another way, it’s just an expensive way of pissing on the boundaries of your new boat.

Maybe a small framed print on a bulkhead instead?