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.
This week we have an inspirational story from Green Girl, who tells us about the wonderful freedom she’s gained from her minimalist lifestyle. Visit her blog to read more!
Green Girl writes:
I started minimalism a few years ago when I read “No Impact Man”. I realized that living an eco-friendly lifestyle was more than just hybrids and solar panels. It really should be about reducing consumption first, then substituting with eco-friendly alternatives. However, a funny thing happened when I stopped consuming so much. I became happier. I was not at all deprived. Instead, I felt liberated. Then, I went beyond a reduction in consumerism and started getting rid of things that I wasn’t using. I figured it would save the world a few resources if someone else could use it instead of it sitting in a closet, on a shelf or in a cabinet… collecting dust. My time spent cleaning and organizing, dropped tremendously. Then, I went beyond ‘stuff’ and got rid of cable, starting walking and biking to the store and library and carpooled with colleagues.
The best part though, was that my bank account started to soar… effortlessly. Wow. At this point I realized that I did not need to work full time at a stressful job that wasn’t making my soul sing. So, I took the final plunge, sold my car and I quit my job and semi-retired. Now, semi-retirement does not mean that I am going to sit around and do nothing. I still want to work, but now, I work because I want to work, not because I have to work. I take part time work and project based work. I’m working on a couple of ebooks. I tutor. I provide independent consulting and coaching services for businesses and individuals. I volunteer… a lot. My life is very fulfilling and I truly believe it is mainly from simple living.
Since I now have complete control over my schedule, I have been able to expand my minimalist thinking to my diet and exercise habits as well! Now, I have time to shop for and prepare fresh foods so that I don’t need to eat processed, convenience foods. With a cleaner diet and no car, I don’t need to spend hours at the gym.
In addition to my personal life, diet and exercise, I have also extended minimalist thinking to my business life as well. I stick with investments and business opportunities that are low risk, low liability and have low to no barriers to entry. I also make sure that every business that I am involved in is a benefit for people and planet, not just profit.
I could go on and on about all the benefits of a minimalist lifestyle, but the truth is that everyone is seeking health, wealth and happiness. Minimalism is the quickest to get there, in my opinion (and experience). Minimalism is also a truly green lifestyle.
If you would like to learn more about me, please visit my blog: www.greengirlsdontgetfat.com.
{If you’d like to learn more about minimalist living, please consider reading my book, The Joy of Less, A Minimalist Living Guide, or subscribing to my RSS feed.}
Bravo…love it!!!
Glad you enjoyed it, Susan!
Green Girl – love your post! Have you ever read http://www.mrmoneymustache.com blog? You sound like you are already living what he’s about (which is awesome) :)
Hi Jen, Yes, I read MMM. He is fantastic. I actually found his blog after I already made these major changes, but it was so great to find him because it reinforced that I am choosing the best life for myself… and the environment! :)
Love the story, and I can relate to the text a lot as I also started my way towards minimalism from a green perspective and it took me so long time to figure out the obvious answer to all of the problems I saw. Reduce! Thanks!
You are right Andy, reducing is the real green alternative.
I make egg-drop soup for dinner and tonight we had lentils and rice and I was thinking how rarely we eat meat and how little we eat when we do have red meat.
Simple living takes many forms and all make a contribution.
Hi Tina, I’m with you on the meat. I was a vegetarian for over a decade, but I didn’t feel quite balanced, so I started adding some back in, but it is more of a condiment than anything else and I try to stick with pastured animal products from local farms, when possible. You are correct that simple living goes a long way to health, wealth and happiness!
An inspiring post – I love how one change leads to another, and another. Sometimes it is slow and sometimes changes occur on all fronts at once and I get dizzy! Off to look at your blog…
PS I love your blog title (loved French Women Don’t Get Fat too!)
Thanks, Freda!
That is so very inspiring! I have experienced the happiness you describe when consuming less. This coming year I am taking it to the next level, by buying nothing! Should be interesting… :-)
Good for you! That is very inspiring.
Hi Green Girl,
Congratulations, you have successfully streamlined every life aspect through minimalism: finance, health, passion/business, environment responsibility, personal life, everything.
I hope I can follow your steps, I think it’s very liberating. But I will take small steps each time to avoid overwhelming. At moment, with new year momentum, and after my kids serious allergy attack, i have to and am struggling to prepare more variety of healthy meals to my family. And I still have to learn to letting go myself from some knick knacks remembering me of sweet momentos from my beloved families, favorite books-magazines… Specially travel/about uniqueness/my several special National
Geographic mags.
Hope all the very best for you. With Best regards.
My husband was looking for something and got rid of a big empty cardboard box and a few books. I took some books out of the library and got rid of 3 magazines. I never buy new magazines, either I take them out of the library or I get them free or very cheaply at thrift shops.
I have been given so many things. I gave a friend a ride to the doctor and took out her garbage and she gave me some houseplant fertilizer. I have a friend who gives me old road maps and fabric scraps and I give her craft magazines I get for free. I give away boxes of houseplants each in its own yogurt cup or used paper cup. Then I get felt, ribbon, yarn, all sorts of things. I never buy plants or new craft supplies.