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Real Life Minimalists

Real Life Minimalists: Katherine

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 a wonderful contribution from Katherine, who tells us how she is re-discovering minimalism. My favorite line: “my heart did a 180 when it came to possessions.” Surf on over to her blog to learn more.

Katherine writes:

In college, I could not wait to explore the world as a study-abroader! I purchased an adequately sized backpack from a local store to carry and was on my way.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Want-To-Be-Minimalist Steve

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, I’m pleased to feature Want-To-Be-Minimalist Steve. He tells us how he and his wife came to have too much stuff, and details their decluttering efforts as they begin their minimalist journey.

Steve writes:

I’m a 38 year old man living in Wisconsin with my wife of 16 years. I’m a manager at a large company and my wife works in the public schools. We have no children and at the moment have no pets (our 14 year old Shih Tzu just passed away a month ago).… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists Update: Gigi

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 update from previous Real Life Minimalist Gigi. We last heard from her in January, when she was decluttering and planning her next travels. Visit her blog to read more about her adventures.

Gigi writes:

In early 2012, I sold, gave away, or trashed almost everything I owned. I gave up my lease on a little house in urban Denver. And I took off around the world with my business and my little dog, leaving just 8 boxes behind in a friend’s basement.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Carrie

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, Carrie shares her minimalist journey with us, and explains how it’s enabled her to pursue her interest in writing—be sure to check out her blog!

Carrie writes:

About a year ago, I stumbled across the idea of minimalism after reading an article about a tiny house. My youngest brother is in architecture school and we soon got into a lively discussion about tiny houses and how much fun they would be to design and build.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Matea

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 a lovely story from Matea. She’s now enjoying a simple, quiet life with her family, and tells us the changes she made to get there.

Matea writes:

I was first introduced to voluntary simplicity at twenty-one years old when I was a Jesuit Volunteer in northern Montana. But I arrived that fall in Montana with a suitcase, and left with a TON of junk, so the whole simple living thing clearly didn’t sink in.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Jim

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 hear from Jim. He’s been living a minimalist life for some time, and is considering a more extreme version for the future. Read more of his thoughts and philosophy on his blog.

Jim writes:

Hi, my name is Jim. I’ve been a reluctant minimalist most of my life. It really didn’t dawn on me that I’ve been a nomad until just recently, probably due to denial, because as so many others have said consumerism is drilled into most of us from day one.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Minimal Rose

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, I’m pleased to feature Minimalist Rose, who shares with us the influences and inspiration behind her minimalist lifestyle.

Minimal Rose writes:

At 17, I spent a month staying with a family in France. I was blown away by how few clothing items they wore, that they did not own a dryer, and by the simplicity & history of many of the homes that I had the opportunity to visit. I should mention that I was raised by packrats on the Pacific coast, and am the only one out of our family of four that appreciates a minimalistic approach to life!… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalist Update: Heather in Texas

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 update from Heather in Texas (we heard from her previously in 2010 and 2011). I love seeing how her minimalist journey has evolved through the years!

Heather writes:

As I sit and write this today, my life is about to take a drastic change again. I start a new job tomorrow. The 3rd in as many years but that is life at the moment. But the one thing I won’t be doing is panic shopping or buying things so I make that first impression of someone I am not.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: NerdyMinimalistIslandGirl

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 a wonderful contribution from NerdyMinimalistIslandGirl. She explains how a trip to an island country marked the beginning of her minimalist journey.

NerdyMinimalistIslandGirl writes:

2013 wasn’t a year I expected it to be. In late 2012, I graduated with my Master’s, started my doctorate, and began a new job—my dream job. The new job lasted for only six weeks before I was laid off. Then I began several miserable months of unemployment.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Kim

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, Kim from the UK chronicles her farewell to her excess books and clothes. She shares her creative pursuits (and lovely photos) on her blog.

Kim writes:

I have always been just as drawn to the nose-slicing, paper-white freshness of a brand new book as I am to the weathered and crisp, sun-cooked pages of a many-times loved paperback. I love the fragility of pages curled at their edges falling away from spine of old, hardened glue.… {Read more}