My monthly series on what I brought into my life and what I let go.
I’ve always valued the idea of 1 in 1 out.
When I bring something new into my life, I let something else go in return.
However, I don’t think what I let go always has to be a physical object.
Sometimes, bringing something new into my life allows me to let go of a habit I no longer need.
This month, I had two such examples of 1 in 1 out.
IN｜BIG JOHN M102SL
This month, I bought a new pair of jeans: the BIG JOHN M102SL.
I bought them because recently, I’ve found myself wanting a pair of jeans with a more standard silhouette.
Not too wide, not too slim.
Something that isn’t heavily influenced by trends and that I can wear for years.
While looking for a pair like that, I came across BIG JOHN.
BIG JOHN is a brand deeply connected to the history of jeans in Japan.
And the M102SL I chose is also made in Japan.
When I actually tried them on, I found the fabric very soft and the silhouette just right.
They were exactly the kind of jeans I was looking for at this point in my life.
I’ve written more about the history of BIG JOHN and my experience wearing the M102SL in a separate article.
→ Read my full BIG JOHN M102SL review
OUT｜UNIQLO Wide Straight Jeans
In return, I let go of my UNIQLO Wide Straight Jeans.
There was nothing wrong with the jeans themselves.
I still think they’re a very good pair of jeans.
But recently, my preferences have changed a little.
Now that I’m 35, I’ve started wanting to wear jeans with a more standard silhouette rather than a wide one.
The jeans didn’t change.
My preferences did.
So I decided to let go of the UNIQLO jeans and replace them with the BIG JOHN pair.
→ Read my full UNIQLO Wide Straight Jeans review
IN｜km5 CD2
The other thing I bought this month was the km5 CD2.
It’s a CD player characterized by its transparent body.
I didn’t buy it simply because I wanted a CD player.
I wanted to change the way I listen to music.
I used to listen to music on YouTube.
But whenever I opened YouTube to listen to music, recommended videos would catch my attention.
I’d click on one out of curiosity, and before I knew it, I’d be watching something completely unrelated to music.
That happened quite often.
So I decided to separate the time I spend listening to music from YouTube.
Now, I buy music on iTunes, burn it onto CDs, and listen to them on the km5 CD2.
It takes a little more effort.
But I like that extra effort too.
I’ve written more about my experience using the km5 CD2 and why I started listening to CDs again in a separate article.
OUT｜Listening to Music on YouTube
Since buying the km5 CD2, I’ve stopped listening to music on YouTube.
This time, what I let go of wasn’t an object, but a habit.
I used to open YouTube to listen to music.
Now, I choose a CD, put it in the player, and press play.
That’s it.
As a result, I no longer see content recommended by algorithms while I’m listening to music.
I added one physical object to my life: a CD player.
But in return, I let go of one habit: listening to music on YouTube.
For me, this is also 1 in 1 out.
This Month’s 1 in 1 out
IN: BIG JOHN M102SL
OUT: UNIQLO Wide Straight Jeans
IN: km5 CD2
OUT: Listening to Music on YouTube
When people hear 1 in 1 out, they might think it means buying one new thing and letting go of one old thing.
But I don’t think it always has to mean replacing one physical object with another.
Sometimes, bringing something new into your life allows you to let go of an object or habit that no longer fits who you are today.
Minimalism isn’t just about owning fewer things.
It’s about deciding what to keep in your life and what to let go.
By thinking about that from time to time, I can gradually shape my life to better fit who I am now.
That’s what 1 in 1 out means to me.
See These Items in My Daily Life
Most of the items I write about on this blog are things I actually use in my daily life.
If you’d like to see how they fit into my life—not just as reviews, but as part of my routines—I share that on YouTube and Instagram.
You’ll find everything from work and everyday routines to coffee, reading, and life in Japan.
Thanks for reading!
