(Photo: I’m starting this blog to explore the joys and challenges of a minimalist lifestyle. I truly believe that having less stuff can lead to a happier life, and would like to discover that elusive point of “just enough.” Along the way, I hope to create a site where fellow aspiring minimalists can share their ideas and experiences, setbacks and success stories.
You may be thinking, “Oh, I could never be a minimalist,” “I have pets,” “I have kids,” “I have a closet full of shoes,” “My desk is buried in paperwork…” That’s okay!
The term “minimalism” can be intimidating; all too often, it conveys a sober, serious, sterile feel. Upon hearing it, your mind conjures up images of spare, cool interiors…concrete floors…gleaming white surfaces…hard edges…empty rooms.
While such austerity is quite beautiful to some (including me!), it’s not for everyone. Even if you’re not a fan of minimalist design, the world of minimalist *living* is wide open to you.
And what a wonderful world it is! Minimizing all the extra *stuff* in your life can be incredibly liberating. Why be tethered to a closet full of clothes you no longer wear, a living room packed with dust-collecting knick-knacks, or a garage stuffed with who-knows-what? Your things can weigh on you like hundreds of little anchors, committing you to housing them, cleaning them, insuring them, etc.
How light and free we could feel if we let go of some of them! Think of the extra space, the extra time, the extra peace we could have…
Ask yourself the following questions:
* Do you have a desire to declutter?
* Do you think you’d be happier without so many things?
* Are you ready to take steps to minimize the stuff in your life?
If you answered, “Yes! Yes! Yes!” then you’re already on the way to becoming a minimalist. Welcome to the blog, and please leave a comment—I’d love to hear your story!
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hi! i love your blog – i followed a link from a link (possibly the simple living forums?) to it and have just read back through it – what great advice and encouragement to live minimally! i am not minimalist, but i’m striving to be simpler…i am going to add you to my list of blogs to read, hope that’s ok
keep up the good work!
p.s. i am off to purge my “one-a-day”
xx
Thanks for the lovely comment, Rachel! I’m thrilled to have you as a reader, and would love to hear about your experiences as you simplify your life.
I just found your blog. I have been decluttering for some time but still feel bogged down with stuff. I can’t seem to let go of sentimental things but would love to have less to care for. How can I get to a minimalist attitude?
Hello, Sky! Decluttering can be a *slow* process–but I truly believe it gets easier with time. At some point, you realize that certain items are more burdensome than pleasurable–and it feels great to get them out of your life.
For sentimental items, I take photos to remember them by–and then try to give them to people who would appreciate them more. It’s easier when you know they’re going to a good home.
Just keep at it. If you declutter regularly (say, one item a day), and are careful not to bring *more* into your life, you’ll make real progress toward your goal.
Dear Miss Minimalist,
I am so HAPPY I found your site. I came across from You Simplified from another site about the family of 4 Minimalists (well, the parents are!).
I am so enjoying reading your posts. What I love most is that you are a woman, so you have the usual issues that we all encounter… eg Makeup, Shoes etc. Stuff that a male cant really get into.
I probably wouldnt say I am a Minimalist, but I am always working toward Living Simply (with style). I do find some things hard, mostly the allure of the “new”. The must have earrings, the must have shoes, or THE bag.
I have a husband and two young children, so I build it into my life rather than having it as a goal. I have tried this and it drove me crazy. So I released my hold and just continually edit and make it part of daily life.
Thank you for all the wonderfullness (yes, I made that up).
I have added you to my Simple/Minimalist blog folder.
Again, thank you.
Sara (in Sydney, Australia)
Hi Sara–it’s wonderful to have you here! I know what you mean–as DH says, I’m kind of “girly” (I like to dress up, etc), so have to work on keeping things to a minimum.
I try to keep my wardrobe simple and classic, and satisfy my desire for novelty with the occasional small purchase (like a scarf, or piece of jewelry), instead of items that take up a lot of space (like shoes or handbags).
Again, welcome–I hope you’ll share more about your experiences with minimalism/simple living in the Comments!
I am not a minimilist per se. But we have made a real effort to trim the items we own. I am sick of looking for items and not finding them and then buying a replacement just to have the original show up a week later.
I have started with the home office and purged tons of paperwork that was not needed. I also got rid odf a big box of computer cords and cables from various computers we have owned over the years. Then I organized the bookshelfs and got rid of several boxes worth. Now I have room to actually display meaningful items in that room and it is also more functional.
It is amazing how ggod it feels to be rid of items you no longer need or want. It is also amazing how much energy it gives you to continue on to more room to get rid of more “junk”.
This is a great blog and I have bookmarked for future reading.
Thanks so much for your comment, Dave! It sounds like you’re doing a fabulous job simplifying your life.
I think you’ll find that you’re much more productive in your decluttered office (it’s like a mental cleaning, as well as a physical one!). And you’re absolutely right: it feels so good to declutter one room, that you’re energized to tackle the rest of the house!
So glad to have you as a reader!
I understand entirely what everyone on this website is talking about. I honestly believe that people have to much stuff. Including myself. Over the last year or so I have been purging my life of almost any possession or possessions in which I can’t live without. It has actually been very exhilarating. Not having so many things to worry about or be in the way even on a daily basis. It has helped me in everything including work. When I come home I am not bogged down with having to deal with all kinds of clutter and all kinds of different problems at home. I simply come home and continue my everyday routine minus having to deal with all kinds of clutter. If I don’t use something or plan on using something withing a year or two hopefully it is not in my everyday sight. At least that is my theory.
Thanks for sharing that, Chris! I’m so glad you’ve discovered how wonderful an uncluttered life can be.