Real Life Minimalists

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 Wendy, who tells us about her minimalist journey as a new grandmother. Her story is a lovely reminder of how minimalism helps us make room for what matters most.

Wendy writes:

Looking back on my life, I always felt a twinge of freedom or lightness when I got rid of something that I didn’t need in my life. Now I am able to identify that as a desire to live with less.… {Read more}

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, Missne shares the inspirational story of how she pared down her stuff, and sees her move into a smaller place as “progress” (love it!). If you’d like to connect with her, you can find her on Twitter.

Missne writes:

I decided many years ago that having a TV wasn’t important to me. I’m a gamer, I’m a nerd – if I want to watch something, it’ll be on the computer.… {Read more}

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, I’m happy to feature Christa from South Africa, who explains how a housing transition made her fall in love with small space living.

Christa writes:

My Minimalist AHA-Moment

The idea of small space living has always appealed to me. I remember as a singleton buying books on the subject, feverishly doing research on campervan living and imagining a life by the sea – something along the lines of the Joshua Kadison song ”A little trailer by the sea – you the cat and me”.… {Read more}

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, it’s my pleasure to introduce you to Darcy. She tells us how living with her stuff in storage for a few years inspired her to embrace a more minimalist lifestyle. It’s given her more time to pursue activities she loves, like building her book blog.

Darcy writes:

If you saw our book collection, you probably wouldn’t apply the term “minimalist” to my husband and I. Between us we have eight bookcases full of books.… {Read more}

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 story from Daisy. She’s been battling a hoarding tendency since childhood, until a natural disaster gave her a new perspective on her possessions. Visit her blog to follow her minimalist journey.

Daisy writes:

Yes, that photo’s a glimpse of my place before I became a minimalist.

So how’d it get that bad?

You could say I was born with it.

I grew up in a family that was full of love but low on funds.… {Read more}

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, Greta tells us the steps she’s taking to simplify her life, reduce waste, consume more mindfully, and create a calm and serene space for her family.

Greta writes:

My minimalism journey started about two years ago after reading Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger. I couldn’t even finish the book, I had to do something right then! I started researching fair trade clothing and food, and realized if we were going to be able to afford these things, I’d need to stop wasting money on stuff I’d purge in a year or two.… {Read more}

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 such a lovely story from Jennifer, who tells us how living with less has transformed her life and brought her joy. Do visit her blog to read more about her experiences and adventures.

Jennifer writes:

If we’d met five years ago, ‘minimalist’ would be the very last word you’d have used to describe me. At the time, I owned 100+ pairs of shoes and a ginormous wardrobe (my walk in closet was almost bigger than my current apartment!).… {Read more}

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 happy to share an update from Rhiannon, who was originally featured as a Real Life Minimalist two years ago. Her story is a wonderful example of how minimalism can ebb and flow in our lives, and help us find balance when we need it.

Rhiannon writes:

It has been so inspirational to read so many people’s updates on their journeys in minimalism. I wish I had a smoother story to tell, but the last years have been busy and full.… {Read more}

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, I’m pleased to feature Courtney. She tells us how a near-tragedy inspired her to pursue a more minimalist and mindful path. Read more of her story on her blog.

Courtney writes:

Unfortunately, wisdom is earned through pain. It took an almost divorce and a car accident for me to really pull the plug on our old life. But the pain was brewing for years.

In late 2012 we had just about everything that you are supposed to want in your early 30s.… {Read more}

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, Camille shares her story of loss, letting go, and healing with the help of minimalism. Please visit her blog to connect with her and read more.

Camille writes:

Looking back, there have always been indications that I was a minimalist. As an active kiddo, I used to make my barbies live in a tent and allow my friends to use the barbie house. In college, being an avid lover of the outdoors, I had a few big backpacking trips with a dear friend and I was always enamored that we could carry everything we needed on our backs.… {Read more}