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Real Life Minimalists Update: Belle

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 Belle. She tells us how her life has changed since her feature in 2014, and how she’s striving to maintain a clutter-free home with a growing family.

Belle writes:

Last time I shared my story, in January 2014, I had started on my minimalist journey only a few months prior. I talked about my experience of moving, being a newlywed, and my love for thrift shopping.… {Read more}

My First In-Person Decluttering Session!

I’ve been writing about decluttering for seven years now, and people often ask me if I do in-home sessions (like Marie Kondo). I never have—because even though I think it’d be great fun, sticking to writing helps me maintain a good work/life balance while raising a little one.

However, when an Amazon editor needed help with her messy desk, I couldn’t resist. I packed up the family for a trip to Seattle—and while Mr. Minimalist and Plumblossom hit the Space Needle and Pike Place Market, I went to spread The Joy of Less to the Amazon office.

As it was my first in-person decluttering session, I wasn’t sure what to expect.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists 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, I’m excited to share an update from Heather in Texas, a veteran Real Life Minimalist! We heard from her in 2010, 2011, and most recently in 2013. Minimalism is an ongoing process, and it’s wonderful to see the role it continues to play in her life.

Heather writes:

I am very lucky to have been chosen to appear on Ms. Minimalist’s blog several times. This update is by far my favorite.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Ally

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, Ally shares her minimalist journey with us—from childhood to present, as she prepares to get married. I love how she limits her personal possessions to a suitcase, as I do the same!

Ally writes:

I have thought of writing a guest post on here for years but never got up the courage to do it until now, so if it’s a bit lengthy of a post bear with me please. :)

I grew up an only child in a large home.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Greg

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, Greg shares with us the fascinating story of his minimalist journey, and how it’s led him to a place of peace, freedom, and possibility.

Greg writes:

I am one of those lucky souls to whom minimalism came by accident. During the perfect storm of a backpacking adventure, a break-up, and a move, it came into my life before I even knew what it was.

My girlfriend and I had packed all our stuff in storage and I went backpacking around South America while she started a semester abroad in Belize.… {Read more}

Peak Stuff

Earlier this year, Ikea’s Chief Sustainability Officer made headlines for suggesting that the West has hit “peak stuff”—in other words, many of us in developed nations have all the consumer goods we need and are losing our appetite for more.

Well, hallelujah! I hope he’s right. How amazing would it be for society as a whole to realize we have enough—make that more than enough—and are better served by dialing down the consumption and pursuing other paths to happiness?

In fact, I think hitting peak stuff in our own lives is what motivates many of us on our minimalist journeys. One day we look in our cabinets, or in our closets, or around our homes, and suddenly feel somewhere from disenchanted to disgusted with the excess.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Craig

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 Craig, who explains how minimalism has transformed his life—helping him to become a healthier, happier, and more focused person. Please visit his blog to learn more.

Craig writes:

The 21st century is an exciting and daunting time to live.

We have the technology to live simpler lives than the past few decades ago.

Yet that’s not the world we live in today.

Instead, we work long hours and have little time for anything meaningful.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Cecily

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 an inspirational story from Cecily, who tells us how minimalism has given her the time, focus, and ability to pursue her dream of being a writer.

Cecily writes:

Being a minimalist isn’t something new to me. It’s a habit, a part of my every day.  I think about it little more than I think about eating well, or keeping the house clean, or putting clothes through the wash.… {Read more}

Giveaways and More

What a fun and busy book launch week! Thanks for all your sweet words and congratulations on my previous post; it’s been such a pleasure sharing this experience with you.

I’d just like to do a quick roundup of The Joy of Less giveaways that are going on. They’re all ending in the next day or two, so surf on over for a chance to win!

theminimalistmom.com lifeedited.com cohesivehome.com instagram.com/bemorewithless

In other news, my little book has its very own YouTube video:

 

And I’d also like to announce the publication of The Joy of Less in Dutch and Polish:

    

It’s so exciting to see all the different international covers.… {Read more}

The Joy of Less Book Release Day!

Today, the new edition of The Joy of Less is being released into the world!

I originally wrote this book because so many of you asked me for a how-to guide on decluttering and minimalist living. I thought it’d be great if a few hundred people read it; never did I dream that you would tell your friends about it, and they would tell theirs, and it would grow to touch the lives of so many people.

And thanks to you—and all your pre-orders—The Joy of Less is now available in bookstores worldwide! Thanks to you, I got to experience a moment I’ll treasure forever: I took my daughter to our beloved Powell’s Books, where she spotted The Joy of Less on the New Arrivals shelf and shouted excitedly, “There’s mommy’s book!… {Read more}