Different look

I now see that I have power that I knew exist but never tapped into it because it does scare some people. In the last month I decided not to do anything or think about things just let it be. Let faith lead a way to what's supposed to be.

Just for your information I didn't went to any special believe system/church. I just let life lead me without thinking too much. In the past I would say or stand up for someone when I see something wrong. For example the silence wagon where you're not supposed to say anything. I just ignore it now, I kinda grown some invisible plugs.

Even with my nephews I didn't really care anymore, I din't see them as my responsibility. Their action doesn't reflect my teaching it reflects that of their parents. Though I find them at times very annoying when they don't do what's "normal" like eating on their own and not be spoon fed. But hey I don't decide or am the person spoon feeding them.

This small change made me realize it's not that important to do what right, it's not always a problem or something that I will need to solve. This month I've tried to use the knowledge that I acquired and used it.

Testing my mouse

I finally go the time to clean my wireless mouse. It had a logo in it front but I don't like making advertisement or getting distracted by logo's in my working space. I have connected it but somehow the pc doesn't recognize the mouse. I already checked online for some solutions but I will try after turning the machine out and then on again.

You can get logo's that are stamped on it away depending on the surface with an eraser. Due to the friction the logo gets scrubbed away. But be careful for very glossy and smooth surface which can be damaged.

PS: I used the wrong dongle to connect to the computer (very smart)

A different I

When I'm going on a holiday and stay over at a hotel it's important to be prepared. I used to easily get sick during holidays because I was stressed out and didn't know if everything I needed was packed and how it would be at the destination place.

I think with age, I have a different view of tasting a different culture. I used to want to have a picture of everything. Now you would rarely see me picking up the camera to shoot pictures. Being in the moment enjoying the view and the atmosphere became much more important. What also changed is the planning. I used to had to visit every tourist place on the map that was planned before the airplane left.

I've learned to adapt to the fact, time is limited and I won't be able to see everything as scheduled. Now I would pick a top 3 for the day that I want to see and search a way to see all three of them. In a way my personality changed with time. Minimalism has of course played a part in it too.

I want this!

I've been thinking about buying an internet radio for I like to listen to shows without thinking about it while surfing on the web or cleaning up. Of course I don't want it to run from my laptop or computer every time I want to listen. But the devices I've seen range from €50-200 so frighting. Then I was thinking about streaming from my phone but that doesn't work either since it will eat up my battery.

Second thought was Chromecast audio, that should be my savior right? I've checked but the Chromecast audio would also require a soundbox so that means an extra thing to buy and extra electricity uses. Think, think wouldn't something else be better like the AI's from Amazon and Google?

I searched online how both the Google home mini and Alexa dot 3rd generation works. Would it be able to listen internet radio. Because I'm already a bit familiar with the Google environment I would prefer the Mini instead of the Dot. I know that both of them are basically listening into my home environment but since I can always unplug it I'm not that afraid.

After searching online about the Dot3 and Mini I decided to go for the Dot since it also had easier buttons to manage the device instead of the Mini. Considering it will be used by an a-technical mom it would be great to use the voice assistant to ask for the radio to be played instead of using the mobile app.

The nightmare starts now when I wanted to order it from the site. I went to the familiar amazon.de and it didn't ship to the Netherlands so I went to the amazon.fr and on this site the Dot3 isn't available until March 2019. This was so terrible since I finally found a solution to my problem.

This situation is really frustrating since I really want to have it!

Remember no import tariffs

Something I find very annoying are extra/hidden cost. It's something that happens to the best of us. I never liked the fact of paying import tariff. It's one of the reasons why I haven't bought a lot from the web until I figured it all out.

I made sure that my parcel includes shipping cost won't reach the maximum for it to be liable for import tariffs which is around €21,- in the Netherlands. So I am very cautious when importing stuff from outside the EU.

My Mi band for example are things I normally wouldn't buy form China directly since it cost more than €21,-. So I wait and checked for the correct price and then buy it. In my opinion the €21,- is also good since I'm so used to the warranty policy in the Netherlands which I won't enjoy when buying from Chinese websites. That's if something goes wrong I won't lose over €21,- in a way the import tariff is a way to protect the citizen to think twice before importing and not taking too many risk with it.

Fan of MI

You have Apple, Samsung or any other brand fans those who swear their life on a brand. Ever watched Mac vs. PC man or Apple vs. Samsung. Well, I'm not a fan of either brand but lately I dare to say that I like the products form the MI family. Two years ago I already bought the Redmi Note 4 for my mother to use. I was super jealous since it had the fingerprint unlock remember two years ago it was advanced. Compared to mine own which was the Windows Lumia 640 LTE dual sim France device.

Nonetheless it's up till this year I invested in some more MI devices. First of all my Yi camera which is nice to take with me during trips. Even though it's not exactly Mi but it's part of the family. Next thing is the wifi repeater, a fan and the mi band 3.

I wanted to have a new watch that does call me to do some exercise. I've been made aware that the human body wasn't created to sit all day. Just as in high school I sometimes forget the time. Honestly now as an adult I still have this problem. So it's nice to have the band telling me to get off the chair and move.

I love the static of these products and find the price value/quality very nice. So I'm not exactly a fan but a appreciator that like the product they produce.

Question yourself

I continuously ask myself why? Why do i need this. Why am I tempted to buy this. Does this item really makes me happier. I can remember the first time, I decided to become a minimalist I had the urge not to go to any shops. Turned out that is only a temporarily solution. Cause all of us need to go to the groceries and shop, one way or another.

So I created the shopping card. Just to remind myself not to buy. The card is nice and really a good physical reminder not to buy in a store. But for internet shopping it's a bit a difficult so I have to continuously asks myself why?

By doing this I already ask myself even before putting in my shopping basket.

For example the MI Wifi repeater 2 wasn't on my list for a month. I know that in the attic the wifi isn't so good especially when I'm streaming. So I looked  for a solution in the Netherlands for a wifi repeaters and wlan extenders they all cost over €10,- not exactly the price I want to pay. So during the preparation of Singles day I've checked the repeater. Simple, easy and compact just perfect for a minimalist.

I did want to have the repeater because when the pc is so slow due to the technical problems it's not nice. I would not like that and I don't want to be upset due to slow connection. That's why I decided to buy it.

Except I could use it at home, during holiday I could use this too to stream when I bring the Chromecast with me. This way I can relax in familiarity and feel better when I'm not at home, noted that the place has a tv with HDMI connection.

December

The last month of the year is difficult to just let it past by. The time to reflect on the last year. Be grateful for all the small and mundane things. Just by listening music while writing makes me thankful for all that I have and had.

I want to thank the person(s) upstairs/downstairs for what I've been through this year. Thank you for letting me ride the rollercoaster called life. Thank you for the small and big things. Thank you for the opportunities.

This is basically a great time to reflect and honestly it's been great. 2018 has been great and I'm happy and that's all that matters.

Worth it!

In the past, I would hold on to things even though they are broken. I do think that as people we should take care of the things we have but I didn't think like that in the past. I would find it a wast to just throw it away. The picture shows a plastic container for cd-roms, which I have rarely any left. But it's missing only a flap but that's all.

What I am thinking now is that it can be cut into something nice but would I really use it and don't I have enough containers/pouches in the house that can do that even better?

So I decided to throw it away, just for the sake of not having more containers is better for myself and the environment I'm living in. This decision would have been unthinkable in the past but now it makes super sense. Get rid of this thing and get happier!

Vitamins

I find being healthy very important. That's why I eat a lot. I am cutting back on rice already since I changed my rice bowl 2 years ago. I intake less rice compared to 10 years ago. I also eat a little bit more vegetable and meat. I know meat isn't so good for global warming but I've learned that it's necessarily to eat it. My diet before exist out of rice, green and processed food. I've cut down on precessed food formidable. Of course I still crave for a hamburger once a while but I like the real normal meat way more than the processed ones.

One year ago I've already learned that I have a vitamin D shortage. Continuously sitting behind a desk not being in the sun does that to you. So I've been adding vitamin D supplement in my diet. And I also get ver tired very easily and have cold feet and hands. So I added iron too and it did help feeling much more energized also during menstruation while losing blood I can feel it.

And due to screen time I also added melatonin to get better sleep. Knowing that hernia and fragile bones runs in the family I also added glucosamine to strengthen my bones. I do have to say that I don't take all the vitamins everyday. It really depends on how I feel on certain days.

Time to let go!

There are some things that are difficult to let go. Even I as a few year minimalist has the same trouble of letting things at the correct time. As some may know I'm currently using the Unblock tech with Chromecast as my main entertainment devices. Before the both of it, I used the TVPAD 3rd generation. I've been holding it in the basement for over two years. I thought it's possible yo install Kodi on it. From time to time I would pick it up and try to look for ways to install Kodi or Android on it. But yesterday I decided it wasn't worth my time and place anymore.

I've searched online if anyone has ever succeed in installing regular Android on it. Without luck I saw the latest post dated from 2016. Thinking about the Chromecast and Unblock that is fulfilling the task without any problem why am I hanging onto it even now? So I decided to part with it and recycle it.

This way it parts can be reused? At least it's not in the basement anymore. Making the decision on the spot while behind the pc searching for a solution on it I came with some question to decide to part with it.

1). Do I need it? or can I upcycle it?
2). Is it possible to upcycle it in one week?
3). Do I already have a replacement for it?

On all the question I gave a negative answer, which makes it time to let go of the TVPAD3

Catching up and putting it online!

This new years resolution was about selling my stuff, even though I didn't participate in any garage sale I managed to sell a lot more stuff then I thought I would.

Today is Sint Nicolaas, it's the birthday of an old saint but the festivity has been overshadowed by the fact that in the past the saint also used slaves. So a lot of people are still searching for a last minute present. Just two days ago I put some last minute advertisement online.

Also due to last weekend I sold two items that were laying around, one smart watch and a water boiler. I'm very happy about it but I still want to sell even more things I own. I'm very happy when my stuff gets sold for a proper price and cherished in the next hand. Loving this concept. I also had to put the details of the sale on my sheet to keep up the amount that it cost and sold. I do see an increase of people searching the internet for deals before the holidays. Due to this fact I also put a lot more time in selling in November and December.

Updates are necessarily!

Yesterday I wanted to update my laptop but it didn't worked. I pushed the button multiple times and downloaded as needed but it still didn't work. This morning I opened up my laptop and it gave me a faulty message. I was about to cry until I tried again with everything unplugged (usb/SD card) and downloaded the new updates again.

Software updates are very important to do for my appliances cause I want them to work for a long time. Also replacing a laptop isn't cheap either. I don't need the best of the best or the newest things. I just want my appliances to work as is. This is way more important since I carefully think and rethink about my purchases.

For example I bought a new Chromecast 2018 edition. It needed an update immediately and that is kinda funny since it's new I would expect it didn't need any update so fast. I think I guessed wrong.

So now is the perfect time to update my devices.