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Happier Without

The consumption society has made us feel that happiness lies in having things, and has failed to teach us the happiness of not having things. -Elise Boulding

What a wonderful quote, and so true! We’re constantly bombarded with the message to buy, buy, and buy some more—it’s hardly ever suggested that we might find greater satisfaction in not owning something. Yes, you read it here, week in and week out; but I’m just one tiny voice questioning the status quo—hardly a match for the marketers and advertisers that command so much of our visual and auditory attention.

So after three years of blogging, I’ve been inspired to look back and celebrate the things I’ve learned I’d rather not have.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Courtney Carver

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 inspiring story from Courtney Carver, who shares with us the profound impact minimalism has had on her life and health. Be sure to check out her blog, Be More with Less, and her book, Simple Ways to Be More with Less. You can also follow her on Twitter.

Courtney writes:

I didn’t wake up one morning and think, “I want to lead a simpler life.” I didn’t wake up, cancel my cable television, quit my job and throw all my stuff in a dumpster.… {Read more}

Montessori and Minimalism

Although Plumblossom is several years away from preschool, I’ve been doing some preliminary research on various educational methods. I’m particularly intrigued by the Montessori philosophy (thanks to reader Carrie-Anne!), as it seems quite complementary to a minimalist lifestyle.

I was thrilled to discover that several of its central tenets aren’t just applicable to children; in fact, we’d do quite well to practice them as adults:

Simplicity. A Montessori classroom contains all the essentials needed for the child’s development, but nothing superfluous. Each item is carefully chosen, and serves a specific purpose.

Adult version: You can edit your home in the same way—retaining only those items that you use on a regular basis, and that make a positive contribution to your household.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Santiago

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, Santiago, a philosophy student, shares his story with us. He’s already made wonderful progress with his decluttering, and is striving to reduce his possessions even more.

Santiago writes:

My name is Santiago, I’m currently a college freshman hoping to major in Philosophy, and I work with my mother on our healthcare consulting company, eventually hoping to get contracts from the state and become non-profit. This means that I don’t have very much time to myself, much less to commit to large projects like cleaning out my mess of a room.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: The Christian Housewife

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 The Christian Housewife. She’s a mom of five who recently started shedding her stuff, and is finding that the rewards of minimalism go deeper than just a clean home. Read more on her blog.

The Christian Housewife writes:

Who am I? I’m just your typical mom. A mom with 5 kids and too much stuff. We have too many clothes, too many toys, too many things to take care of.… {Read more}

Extreme Minimalism: Wardrobe

Let’s wrap up the Extreme Minimalism series with a topic that’s always popular: clothing!

It’s been over a year since I wrote More Minimalist Wardrobe Musings. In that post, I asked, “So (laundry concerns aside), what if you could have one perfectly-comfortable, perfectly-designed outfit that you could wear everyday — and nobody cared, or ridiculed you for it? I’m not talking scrubs, or military dress, or a UPS uniform, but something you looked fabulous and felt great in. Would you want that?”

For me, the answer is an emphatic yes! Although I haven’t adopted one yet, I’m completely smitten with the idea of a uniform.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Brenda Woolner

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 Brenda Woolner, who tells us about her minimalist lifestyle in Nova Scotia.

Brenda writes:

My name is Brenda Woolner and I live in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada. I discovered this blog a few months ago and it is great to feel part of this online community.

I am 54 years young and have been living a minimalistic lifestyle for many years. I was raised with parents who lived a simple and frugal lifestyle.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Polythene Pam

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 inspiring contribution from Polythene Pam, who tells us how her plastic boycott is leading her down a minimalist path. Visit her blog to learn more.

Polythene Pam writes:

Boycotting disposable and unnecessary plastic has led me down some strange roads; I am now a composter, a jam maker and even, on a good day with the wind behind me, a crafter!! But lately, I have found myself wondering …is it possible …could I be …a minimalist?… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Ashley

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, Ashley shares her perspective on minimalism—explaining that it’s not about the number of possessions you own, but how they suit your lifestyle.

Ashley writes:

I’ve heard a lot of crazy things regarding minimalism lately: counting your items, owning a set number of things (usually 100), being vegan, doing yoga, etc.

Well, I feel like the time has come to finally speak up.

I have always been a minimalistic person by nature.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Ellen

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, Ellen tells us how dealing with her grandmother’s possessions inspired her to embrace a more minimalist lifestyle.

Ellen writes:

My minimalist journey has slowly unfolded over the years, marked by a few distinct occurrences that have shifted my path away from the acquisition to deacquisition of stuff. As a child, I was constantly bothered by the piles of old magazines, paperwork, and junk mail that accumulated on every flat surface in my mom’s house.… {Read more}