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.… {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 we hear from Maria, who shares a powerful and inspirational perspective on decluttering the excess paperwork in our lives.

Maria writes:

My minimalist blind spot: paper.

My mother passed on in 2009 and my father followed this summer. Decades of more (or less) organized paper archives were left behind: phone bills, bank statements, legal and medical papers, clippings from magazines, articles cut out from newspapers, books, notebooks, travel catalogs, travel memorabilia, magazines, and recipes.… {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, Judy shares the details of how she pared down her possessions—and in the process, passed down her minimalist values to the next generation.

Judy writes:

I don’t remember what first brought me to this site, but I do remember what steered me towards being a minimalist. I watched the first 2 seasons of hoarders. And after watching all the horrific episodes, I was done being a consumer. I buy food, personal hygiene items, and replacement items as needed, but I rarely buy a non-essential item anymore, and if I do, I buy it with the intention of passing it forward.… {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 introduce you to Jacob Jolibois, who shares with us his minimalist journey and the joy it’s brought to his life. Please visit his blog to read more of his writing.

Jacob writes:

Due to my obsession with productivity, organization and efficiency, I had stumbled upon minimalist thinking sometime during my sophomore or junior year in college. I was learning to de-clutter my mind, stop worrying over things I had no power to change and focus on the things that actually mattered.… {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 hear from Aselle, whose newly minimalist lifestyle was inspired by a major move. Be sure to visit her blog to learn more about her experience.

Aselle writes:

Last year when my husband & I made the decision to relocate to Sydney, Australia from Auckland, New Zealand for career reasons, we were forced into a minimalist lifestyle. We were moving out of our three bedroom house in New Zealand and into a 15m2 studio in Sydney.… {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 we have a beautiful contribution from SimpleBean, who shares a poignant reflection on what matters most in life.

SimpleBean writes:

This month, my grandparents decided to move to an assisted living facility. My grandfather’s brother, my great-uncle, also decided to gracefully end his losing battle with chronic illness by entering hospice. I traveled to see all three of them and start saying my goodbyes: to my great-uncle, mainly, but also to both of my grandparents’ homes.… {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, Jessie tells us how she embraced minimalism after a series of moves, and now feels empowered by her new, streamlined life. Visit her blog to read more.

Jessie writes:

I moved a lot in my early twenties, from college dorm room to shared apartment, to a rented house and then a townhouse, to an apartment with my boyfriend. I went to grad school, and continued to move, trying to find the best location compromise between my school in one city and my boyfriend’s – and then husband’s – work in another city.… {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 we have a wonderful contribution from John, who shares his progress a year into his minimalist journey. Be sure to visit his blog to read more.

John writes:

Hello there! I am John from TheHillofBeans.com.

I began my minimalist journey last year, after the dissolution of my marriage. I was alone in a large, 2600 sq ft house filled with the accumulation of 25 years and four children (who are now adults living on their own).… {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 an update from Bethany, who was first featured as a Real Life Minimalist in June 2012. She shares with us the exciting changes of the last two years, and invites you to read more about her family’s new adventure on her blog.

Bethany writes:

In the summer of 2012, while cruising  our 29-foot sailboat, I shared my story with all of you. That was an incredible summer, as my family of 3 lived aboard for a total of 91 days.… {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, Sharity tells us how her house was (literally) cracking apart beneath her—and how it inspired her to live a lighter, freer, more minimalist life.

Sharity writes:

I don’t recall the exact moment when I discovered minimalism, but I’ve been reading about it and working on it for myself for at least a couple of years now.

I grew up with a mentally ill mother, and it wasn’t until the popularity of shows like Hoarders that I realized my mom was a hoarder.… {Read more}