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.
Today, Upasna aka Comeback Minimalist tells us her story. She’s at the beginning of her minimalist journey, but already experiencing the freedom of living with less. Visit her blog to learn more.
Upasna writes:
I had a tough time managing my stuff in the past so I decided to explore more about Minimalism. 2016 was a bit harsh on me with limited money to spend. This is how having less money helped me learned that I can live well with less stuff.
While welcoming the new year, I set Minimalism as my motto to live by. I wanted to get rid of the excessive consumerism we all are gripped in.
As I was exploring more on Minimalism, I realized it’s not only about a capsule wardrobe or living out of a backpack but a lot more than this. I started jotting down the areas where Minimalism could help me simplify my life.
My research on the topic made me write my first E-book “A-Z of Minimalism”.
I wanted to explore Minimalism but the path was not clear. So, I decided to chart down the areas where I want to apply Minimalism and how to attain it. This is when this book took birth. With this I must say, I am not perfect nor I have experienced everything that comes with a Minimalist Lifestyle. I am just a beginner.
Not only stuff but I want to look into relationships with a fresh perspective and give them the meaning. I live in a joint family which makes things difficult but I am going slow.
Moreover, being a mother to a toddler poses some restrictions but I am keen to help my kid learn this life of freedom and away from excessive consumerism. I can say that a Minimalist lifestyle is possible with kids.
I once quit my MNC job to live with my family and now when I look through the eyes of a Minimalist, I mark it as the best decision of my life. I am glad that I found this simple way of living while I am yet to enter my 30s.
{If you’d like to learn more about minimalist living, please consider reading my book, The Joy of Less, A Minimalist Living Guide, or joining my email list.}
So many times having less money makes us the richest of all!
Lovely thought.
Upasna, I agree that excessive consumerism has gripped our society. Good for you in raising your child in a more minimalist environment. He or she will no doubt be more content in life because of it.
I feel people in India are following this lifestyle from last 20-30 years and its high time we quit this. I hope I will be able to make him understand the importance of less.
What is MNC?
This post is frustratingly bare of info about Upasna’s path to minimalism, or concrete examples of how her life has changed, though I suppose we’re meant to click through to her blog.
Hello, i am glad you asked about it. Here is my journey:
It all started with new year resolution or motto. I chose Minimalism only in words/theory first and then started living it.
Why you ask? Because I never liked the massive packing and unpacking every seasonal transition. Moreover, After I became Mother, I always felt lack of time.Because whenever I wanted to play with him or go out, I found piles of clothes lines up for washing, ironing, folding and other clutter to organize. I wanted to free my time.
When April (2017) came, I needed to choose the theme for April challenge. It again chose Minimalism to clear my thoughts and to set the path for myself. The posts gave a way to my first Ebook. Thanks to Blogchatter community which helped me a lot in the process.
The month after I finished the Ebook, I realized that its loosing the spark. I have read somewhere” the more you talk about something, the more you become like it”. This is the reason I chose minimalism as the niche for my new blog Comeback Minimalist. I chose Blogger as I did not want to get into the complexities of self hosted blog but rather wanted to share my thoughts and spread the message.
I am now living with my Family, doing less stressful job and following my passions for writing and crafting. Thanks for your comment.
BTW MNC is acronym for multi national company. I quit my long away from family job to settle in my peaceful hometown.
If you wish to read more insights- I will be happy to update.
What a lovely article and a lovely way to bring up your child. There is a real joy in having fewer belongings in exchange for having more time and making more memories x
Thanks Rachel. I really wish him not to indulge in excessive buying and depends on stuff for happiness. Yes, you are right. More memories get created when stuff is less.
Your child will be more creative if she has less toys to play with. Children invent all kinds of things.
You are right Tina. I am observing him these days. He make trains, towers and what not out of his wooden block set. Single toy, many purposes and less clutter. Moreover, I appreciate his creativity.
Everyone is writing a book about Minimalism. All you have to do is consume less in every possible way.
You are right Ashwini. However, writing a Book on Minimalism was never on the cards until I participated in A to Z challenge this year. I chose Minimalism as a theme and compiled those 26 posts into an Ebook. Each day I try and convince myself to consume less. Like today, I stopped myself from getting a new notepad from my HR but rather use digital notes.Thanks for your comment.
Upasna–I’m impressed you took the time to consider and record (in advance) the ways minimalism could simplify your life. How wonderful your journey resulted in an e-book! It sounds like there will be a sequel, which will document your further growth. I’m glad you’re much happier away from your stressful techie job and now have the opportunity to make many happy memories. Cheers!
Yes Kathie. Nothing was planned as it appears to be. It all started with new year resolution or motto. I chose Minimalism only in words/theory first and then started living it. When April (2017) came, I needed to choose the theme for April challenge. It again chose Minimalism to clear my thoughts and to set the path for myself. The posts gave a way to my first Ebook. Thanks to Blogchatter community which helped me a lot in the process. The month after I finished the Ebook, I realized that its loosing the spark. I have read somewhere” the more you talk about something, the more you become like it”. This is the reason I chose minimalism as the niche for my new blog Comeback Minimalist. I chose Blogger as I did not want to get into the complexities of self hosted blog but rather wanted to share my thoughts and spread the message.
I am now living with my Family, doing less stressful job and following my passions for writing and crafting. Thanks for your lovely comment.
Minimalism is exciting.It makes our small apartment seem
larger.When I see other women with huge closets full of clothes and cupboards full of collectibles, it makes me sad.
My daughter said she had so many clothes piled up that she couldn’t sleep in her bed. I asked when she wanted me to come over to help her sort them. I have 6 pairs of slacks and maybe 10 tops, total. Many of them are out away for the summer. First we filled a bag with all the clothes that don’t fit. Then we filled a bag with clothes she never wears.Then we found bags of old make up. After 2 hours, it was time to go home.