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Minimalist Lessons from a Tea Ceremony: A few years ago, I participated in a Japanese tea ceremony. It’s a beautiful ritual, and—in my opinion—a wonderful analogy to minimalist living. In a nutshell, chado (or Way of Tea) is the ceremonial preparation and serving of matcha, powdered green tea. Guests enter the teahouse after walking through a small, contemplative garden and symbolically purifying their hands and mouth with water from a stone basin. To enter the tearoom, they must bow their heads to fit through the small door—meaning all are equal in tea, regardless of social status or position…{read more}

7 Steps to a Minimalist Wardrobe: When I decided to pursue a minimalist lifestyle, one of the first areas I tackled was my closet.… {Read more}

On Not Collecting: I often wonder if the urge to collect is hard-wired in the human race, or just something encouraged by our society. When I was a child, I remember my friends building collections of dolls, coins, baseball cards, comic books, and pop culture/movie memorabilia. I always felt a little left out. I don’t know if it was due to a lack of interest, short attention span, or early minimalist tendencies, but I had zero desire to participate in the collecting trends that were popular at the time (I won’t date myself by naming them!)…{read more}

City Life vs.… {Read more}

Nothing to Steal: My husband and I travel a lot, and people sometimes ask us if we worry about our apartment while we’re gone. Our answer: not particularly. The reason: we have nothing to steal. Sure, we have stuff—clothing, kitchenware, books, and a few pieces of furniture. However, I can’t imagine anyone wanting any of it. And if they need it so badly that they have to steal it, they probably need it more than we do. In fact, if it weren’t for personal safety issues (or having to evict a squatter that moves in in our absence), we could just as well leave the door unlocked…{read more}

Minimalist Architecture – Helsinki and Tallinn: When my husband and I travel, we love to walk the streets of foreign cities and admire the architecture.… {Read more}

Minimalist Philosophy: Cherry Blossom Living: Every year, I look forward to cherry blossom season with great anticipation. I love to sit under the pink clouds of delicate blooms, and wax poetic on the beauty of life. (A few years ago, I fulfilled a lifelong dream, and spent two glorious weeks in Japan doing just that.) I used to think life would be more beautiful if the cherries bloomed all year round; but, somewhere along my minimalist journey, I realized that life is more beautiful because they don’t…{read more}

Extreme Light Travel: A few months ago, I wrote about the contents of my carry-on.… {Read more}

Spring Decluttering: So it’s finally here…spring. And you know what that means, don’t you? It’s time for some major decluttering! I’ve always loved this time of year. The cherry trees will soon be in bloom, as well as the Bradford pears, magnolias, and dogwoods. The whole world seems fresh, new, and beautiful—and I want my home to be just as lovely!…{read more}

To Live Content with Small Means…This is My Symphony: Today I’d like to share this quote from William Henry Channing: “To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not, rich; to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart; to study hard; to think quietly, act frankly, talk gently, await occasions, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common–this is my symphony”…{read more}… {Read more}

Study: Experiences Bring More Happiness Than Stuff: If you asked me to name my favorite “purchases,” I’d be much more likely to rattle off vacations I’ve taken, operas and ballets I’ve seen, and nice dinners I’ve had — rather than any things that I’ve bought. Well, it seems I’m not the only one. A new study shows that experience-related purchases, rather than material ones, bring more happiness to the consumer…{read more}

Minimalist Flooring: Carpet Tiles: I love a bare floor as much as the next minimalist. However, sometimes an area rug is desirable — to delineate a section of a room, add a touch of color, or simply provide some warmth underfoot.… {Read more}

Minimalist Philosophy: To Walk Away, Empty-Handed: Today I’d like to share one of my favorite quotes, from Henry Thoreau’s Walden: “It is desirable that a man […] live in all respects so compactly and preparedly that, if an enemy take the town, he can, like the old philosopher, walk out the gate empty-handed without anxiety.” I’ve often wondered, if the place I live was suddenly struck by political unrest or natural disaster, could I walk out the door and leave everything behind?…{read more}

Minimalist Home: Naked Windows: When it comes to home décor, there are few things I love more than naked windows.… {Read more}