Havre isn’t the end of the world, though some would say it’s close.

Havre has high-speed Internet, two grocery stores, a McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, and even a Super Walmart. Sad but true, Sam Walton’s goal of world conquest even extends to Havre, Montana.

Moving to Havre, however, has become an exercise in doing without. It is a perfect place to experiment with my goal of achieving balance and minimalism in life.

For me it started more than six months ago when I unplugged the TV. The only television I have seen is the Wisconsin Badgers and Green Bay Packers at the local pub. There are some things even I can’t do without.

Yes, I miss watching Mad Men and every Deadliest Catch marathon, but judging from what I hear I don’t miss seeing Jersey Shore, the Jay Leno-Conan O’Brien saga, or American Idol. Not having television means more time to read, listen to music, take photographs, and hang with friends. Steve (the cat) seems okay with it, too.

Now that I am in Havre I am learning to do without much more. For example, gas stations here are few and far between. Having enough fuel in your automobile when venturing outside of the city walls can mean the difference between life and death in this inhospitable wilderness.

When I moved to Havre I also parted ways with my microwave oven. I think ditching the microwave is a good move. Most TV dinners prepared for microwave ovens are heavily processed, high in sodium, and relatively unhealthy. And few (if any) taste good. Ounce-for-ounce microwavable foods cost more, too. Yes, they are convenient, but at what cost?

A microwave oven would be handy right now. My landlord is laying down new linoleum in the kitchen and is replacing the oven and stove at the same time, so I have only been able to prepare meals with the small broiler oven I brought with me.

In the weeks ahead I plan on doing without other things in my life, too…some of them worse for me than others.