Every Monday I post Real Life Minimalists, a profile of one of my readers in their own words. If you’d like to participate, click here for details. (Note: the schedule is now full until March — but if you don’t mind waiting, feel free to send me your submission!)
This week, I’m pleased to feature Rachel Jonat. She and her husband are striving to live a minimalist lifestyle while raising their young (and might I say adorable!) son. To read more about their experiences, please visit her blog, theminimalistmom.com.
One more thing: a little bird told me that Rachel just celebrated a birthday — so let’s send some birthday wishes her way as well!
Rachel writes:
The Jonats
My husband and I had been ruminating for quite some time about wanting to live a less cluttered, more experience driven life, when we stumbled about minimalism. We love to travel and envision some day taking our children on months long travel adventures by using home exchange. Where we have been stuck is how to do this when we live in a very high cost of living area, Vancouver, Canada, and have lots of bills.
In September of 2010, inspired by several bloggers such as missminimalist.com, we decided to simplify our home. While we only live in 1100 square feet, a small space for most North Americans, we had developed closets full of clutter. Day one started with me sending 75% of my wardrobe for donation or consignment. It felt great and I haven’t looked back.
We have documented our journey at my blog theminimalistmom.com and were surprised at the response from friends and family. While there have been naysayers there have also been many people inspired to clean out there closets and homes. One of our challenges is that we have a young son and have been told children need a lot of things. We are finding that this just isn’t true. Children need engaged parents with time for them – not toys.
One of our big goals is to work less and have more time for each other. With this in mind we have consciously been reducing, rather than expanding, our lifestyle. No cable, no newspaper and lots of trips to the library. Our biggest focus is paying off debt and we are almost there. With hard work and a bit of luck we have paid off $16,000 in student loans and over $30,000 in other debt in less than a year. It feels amazing.
My advice to other families is that it is possible to live with less and you will enjoy your life more. Ignore your neighbours and those that tell you your children need television and the latest gadgets and toys. They don’t. They just need you.
{If you’d like to read more about minimalist living, please consider buying my book, The Joy of Less, A Minimalist Living Guide, or subscribing to my RSS feed.}
Rachel is an inspiration to Mom’s looking to live a simpler life. I love her blog, and feel really fortunate to be able to connect with other Mom’s like Rachel who share a similar philosophy. Bringing up children is tough (but amazing)- it’s a cliche but there isn’t a guide book on how to do it.
It’s so true -children need their parents, time and affection, not huge piles of toys.
I love The Minimalist Mom! Rachel is a great writer and a kind soul who has made incredible decisions for her family. She’s part of an online tribe of like-minded women who want to live simply – with kids (not always easy and not always a popular choice). Go Rachel!
Oh, good for you! It is so easy to give in to the prevailing attitude that children need lots of things (and it wont get any easier as they get older!). But to have parents that are not working all the hours there are and have time for you is the greatest gift you can give them. And as they get older they will learn that if they really want something they can get a job or save out of their allowances for it so it will teach them all sorts of good values. I will certainly look up your blog. Thanks for your story.
SPOT ON! Our children are adults now, but in my years of observation, the happiest children are NOT those with the most “toys”! I’ve seen children occupy themselves for hours with sand and sticks. Imagination SOARS when stimulated by good books, meaningful conversation, frequent encouragement and positive examples. Look around and draw your OWN conclusions!
Absolutely right Rebecca, I have seen kids at Xmas time open presents look at the toy then have more fun and amusement with the packaging …go figure?
Great post, I can very much relate to what you’re saying!
Minimalist life with children doesn’t have to be a contradiction :)
Greetings from the Netherlands.
Have you ever interviewed a real life minimalist who doesn’t run a minimalist blog?
Yes, quite a few actually. :) Scroll through the archives, and you’ll see plenty of non-bloggers:
http://www.missminimalist.com/category/real-life-minimalists/
I just get a sense that the universe of minimalist bloggers mostly write for one another, trying to become A-list bloggers (a stupid phrase), hawking e-books, and extolling the virtues of location-free living. Oh, and sucking Leo’s … um … toes.
And the first one was me! I am simply not savvy enough to run a blog… But I do enjoy everyone else’s though.
Love reading all the inspirations. I am a senior, formerly from Vancouver, Canada so know what Rachel is talking about. However, I am now living in Southern California and it has its own expenses. I am so inspired reading about everyone so am starting my own downsizing. I have big plans for the future even though I am 70, almost 71. I am thinking about a blog about my adventures, however, am not that savvy on the computer. My daughter thinks I have lots to say but I do love to read and listen. Maybe I will as I have lots to share and lots to learn. Am reading your book so I can live freely. My mantra is “freedom 88”. Thank you for what you do, both Rachel and you, Frances.
Thanks for featuring me today, Francine!
I must give thanks to this great community of bloggers and blog readers for keeping me motivated. Jo and R.S. particularly.
I don’t know any other families trying to live the rich life with less. We’re making some waves in our social circle with these choices but we’re still quite alone in the journey. Reading other people’s stories here on Miss Minimalist and connecting with others through their blogs has made it all easier.
Good for you, Rachel, for not falling into the “kids need stuff” trap!! You are so right, they need (keyword) engaged parents who love them for who they are and respect them.
I love that you are challenging your social circle and have already seen others make changes!! Ir’s too easy to just do what is comfortable and known, and a whole ‘nuther to stop and evaluate and then make actual changes….I wish I had done this earlier in life, but through the inspiration here on Miss Minimalist and on Minimalist Mom I’m doing it now!! Thank you, Ladies!! :)
Oops, I means both Rachel and you, Francine.
I don’t have a blog either and am not interested in starting one.
This is a wonderful story and I am so thrilled that paying off debt is a primary goal. Children cherish experiences/memories not toys. They definitely learn materialism from their parents, as well as society, so this is a wonderful lesson their parents are teaching them: to live with less. Keep up the good work and ignore the naysayers.
Thanks for sharing your journey, Rachel. I love hearing about how fast some ppl have managed to pay off their debts while embracing minimalism in their own way.
We’re a family just across the water from you. Glad to have you in the neighbourhood.
Good for you, Rachel! And I have another wonderful blog now to check out! Also, I agree with Francine, your son is simply adorable!
Best wishes on your minimalist journey!
When we were kids, my sister and I always considered ourselves very fortunate (gifts were plentiful at Christmas), but when we look back on those gifts today, we can only remember a handful of them! What stuck with us the most were the memories and traditions that we enjoyed so much during the holidays.
Less stuff & less debt is admirable.
I would not take advice on “what children need” from the parents of a one year old. They are certainly experts on their child – but our collective tendency to listen to others is amusing.
I love hearing from parents who are living a minimalist lifestyle. When I think about friends who are having children, I think of the endless piles of stuff accumulated from showers and random gifts. It is refreshing to hear about how people can live with what they need while raising a family.
Oh thank you, thank you, thank you! “Children need engaged parents with time for them, not toys!” Amen!!!
I have a six year old daughter. I have been working on simplifying and becoming more minimalist for the past four years. Children are tough when it comes to minimalism. If you don’t have children or they are very young it is hard to picture what is coming down the road in terms of possessions. My daughter watches how we live. We walk our talk, I know that is important. The culture of consumption in the U.S. is much different than our lifestyle. Although I want her to value our lifestyle, I also have to allow her freedom to experience her culture, friends and family that influence her. If I become too strict about her gifts or ability to obtain toys/things I believe it will drive her the other direction. If you have been told you cannot have chocolate cake, my experience is to want the cake even more.
I love hearing from parents who are living a minimalist lifestyle. When I think about friends who are having children, I think of the endless piles of stuff accumulated from showers and random gifts. It is refreshing to hear about how people can live with what they need while raising a family.
My kids are 40, 38 and 33. They never had as many toys as their friends. I always thought that a few small cars, some blocks, paper and crayons and maybe a cardboard box or two for a dollhouse(my daughter was given some 2nd hand Barbies) was enough. I remember my oldest being amazed that a friend had a toy that took up the whole living room at his house. They grew up fine.
It is much easier to raise your children with fewer toys and less junk if you can find some other parents who are doing the same thing. Life is not about getting what ever you want, it is about making choices.