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 December — but if you don’t mind waiting, feel free to send me your submission!)
Today, we have an inspirational contribution from Reggie, a Generation-Y minimalist who’s discovered (so early in life!) that a consumer lifestyle is NOT the road to happiness. He writes about his experiences on his wonderful blog, People, Not Stuff.
Reggie writes:
Reggie
I’m a 23-year-old recent college graduate who was jolted by a combination of the financial crisis, my first real-world working experience, and an overall desire for a lifestyle change. I came across minimalism and simple living and instantly knew I had found a road map to start living a life centered around the things I decided were the most important to me. I read many blogs and websites over the past 2-3 months before I decided to take the official plunge and begin living a minimalist life. I currently write about my experiences, thoughts, and observations with minimalism from a Generation Y perspective at http://peoplenotstuff.wordpress.com.
I believe the minimalism community will continue to emerge as a popular alternative lifestyle for many people who are realizing the consumer-driven way of living we’ve been conditioned to follow isn’t producing the desired level of happiness. I know for me, I realized the only thing that really is going to make me content and happy is by focusing on people and not things. So far, I 100% am happy with my decision to use minimalism to create the life I want and I hope that other people consider making the jump as well!
Reading other people’s experiences with minimalism such as Miss Minimalist are inspiring to me because I realize I’m not alone in my journey to live a more simple, healthier, and happier life. Also, through a community of other minimalists I am able to draw upon their knowledge and experience to make different decisions in my own life. I am excited to hear from other minimalists and together, we can make a great change in the way people live.
-Reggie
{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.}
Thank you for sharing this, Reggie. I like hearing that younger people like yourself are choosing a less consumer-oriented life. You’ll have an interesting and meaningful life, and you’ll never have to declutter like us old fogeys.
I totally agree that people, not stuff, is what’s important. I’d much rather hang out with friends than go shopping or buy stuff. You sound awesome, I will check out your blog.
Hi Virginia, you’re welcome! I *think* that people my age are becoming less consumer oriented but each day I see things that give me evidence for and against that belief. You are so right, at the end of the day, I’m going to look back at the times when I have been the happiest and they have nothing to do with “stuff”. Thanks for the message!
TCA, yup family and friends and people in general is what it’s all about. Thank you so much for taking a look at the blog, I really hope you enjoy reading! It’s cool to me that Francine can bring together so many different people involved with minimalism and hear about their experiences.
Hi Reggie–That’s so cool that you discovered and have embraced the minimalist life! I’ll be sure to check out your blog to get your Generation Y perspective. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Nice post, Reggie! Nice to see another guy around here, too – seems the minimalism community is overwhelmingly female; I’m glad there are a few of us around here for balance :)
Hey Mike – I agree it’s good to get some testosterone in here LOL. I just scrolled through your blog — I can honestly say I never thought of taking things on the road full time but it seems pretty cool. Thank you for the warm welcome.
Hi Beth, thanks for the props. It’s funny knowing I was initially nervous about whether a minimalist lifestyle would work for me but I’m so glad I made the decision. It’s just making things easier for me and improving my life. Thank you for checking out the blog and I always am happy to see comments.
Reggie! So great to see you featured here.
For those of you that haven’t met Reggie yet, he has a GREAT blog over at WordPress. I really recommend that you check it out:
http://peoplenotstuff.wordpress.com/
Reggie is always very encouraging and supportive of others in the Minimalist blogging community. Glad to find you here, Reggie!
Hi Sheri! I truly appreciate the shoutout. I think Francine’s Real Life Minimalist section is very cool. It shows how people can use minimalism in different ways but ultimately for the same purpose. I will catch up with how things are going with you very soon too Sheri.
Awesome…so nice to see a younger voice of hope and reason being heard. Love you blog!!! Keep up the good work and inspiration. :)
Hi Reggie, I just had a look at your blog and really enjoyed what I saw. Blogging is such a wonderful way to add meaning to your life by monitoring your thoughts and values and getting down what it is you really think. Quite inspiring! Great smile you’ve got there too Reggie…obviously minimalism is working for you :)
It’s always really fun and nice to read people’s stories and find out the origins of why and how they started simple living. Thanks for sharing your story Reggie, it was very cool!
@Heather: A sincere thank you for the words. Every time someone tells me they enjoy my writing and they are getting something of value from the blog I get really happy. Thanks for reading!
@Nicole: Haha I am definitely cheesing in that picture. You’re right about blogging being a great way to monitor yourself. When I write, I try to always right what I’m really feeling and what’s personal to me so when I go through the writing process, I really consciously think about where I’m at, and where I’m going.
@Leslie Cao: Hey Leslie how are you? I know it’s crazy how many of us out here. I got to read your story from your section on Real Life Minimalists and I’m glad I did.
Great post, Reggie! I enjoyed your story, and your blog looks quite interesting. I plan on following it; I’ve found quite a bit of inspiration in your postings.
Another one I must have missed. I have more boxes in the back of my closet I have to look through. This apt will not be a minimalist haven til more is gone.
First we went on a cruise and the day after we got back, I flew to the east coast to help out a relative. Luckily, I’m a minimalist, do a little laundry and life is rosy.
My husband bought 2 items of clothing and the first thing I said was what are you going to get rid of? He gave me 2 shirts. His folks had tons of clothes in all the closets and racks in the laundry room. I am not buying any clothing for the next 3 months at least. I have plenty to wear and need nothing.