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Three Words for My Younger Self: Own Less Stuff

This week I wrote a post for the blog-publishing platform Medium:

Three Words for My Younger Self: Own Less Stuff

Why? It’s sort of an outreach effort to would-be minimalists who might not otherwise trip across my blog. I think we’ve all had that serendipitous moment when something we read, or something someone said, sparked our interest in a minimalist lifestyle. (For me, it was a book review of Your Money or Your Life—in a fashion magazine, of all places!)

Well, I’m hoping I can provide that same kind of spark to the casual browser—someone who may feel vaguely uncomfortable with clutter or consumerism but would never think to start googling “minimalism.” I’d love to invite them to our community, and let them know they can find plenty of kindred souls living with less (and loving it).… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Muntaha

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, Muntaha reminds us of what it’s like to be at the start of our minimalist journey—full of awareness and intention to live a simpler life, and figuring out how to make it happen. I think we can all relate to being a little less minimalist than we want to be, so let’s give her our support and encouragement as she joins us on this path!

Muntaha writes:

I’m an aspiring minimalist.… {Read more}

The Joy of One: Pan

My husband and I have had a pretty nomadic life together, and since we were always on the move, we never invested in quality cookware. Pots and pans are heavy and awkward to transport, so we would usually pick them up randomly as needed, then donate the lot before moving on and starting over again.

Well, we’re hoping to stay in our current location for the long haul, so when it comes to kitchenware, it’s time for a change in strategy. And that’s part of the motivation behind my One series: I’m ready to choose quality, versatile items that’ll last forever, instead of a mishmash of “temporary” things that sort of get the job done.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Elisabeth

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 Elisabeth, a 25-year-old from Austria. She tells us how studying abroad inspired her to pare down her possessions and embrace the minimalist values with which she grew up.

Elisabeth writes:

I remember when I was a kid and I wanted some fancy snack wrapped up in too much plastic and heavily advertised, my mother would say: “We don’t have money for that.” Because of that, I always thought that we were poor or at least that money was tight.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Michael

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, Michael reminds us that we don’t have to reach certain milestones to become minimalists. It’s an ongoing process of living mindfully each day.

Michael writes:

For about six months I’ve thought: “When I become a minimalist, I’ll submit my story to Miss Minimalist.” Gradually, however, I’ve come to realize that minimalism is not a destination. Minimalism is a state of mind cultivated over the lifespan.

I don’t share some of the surface features common to some more popular minimalists–I have a wife and kids, a mortgage, and a 9-5 job.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Frangipani Bloomfields

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, Frangipani Bloomfields celebrates her simple lifestyle with us—rightly noting that we don’t have to count possessions to call ourselves minimalists. Read more of her story on her blog.

Frangipani Bloomfields writes:

It has only recently dawned upon me that I am a minimalist. I have been reading Miss Minimalist for quite some time now and while I have thoroughly enjoyed the posts by other real life minimalists I have always thought I stood just outside the box.… {Read more}

The Joy of Less – A New Era

I have some exciting news to share with you today!

As many of you know, I self-published my book, The Joy of Less. Back in the day, there wasn’t a lot of mainstream interest in minimalist living, and it was the most expedient way to get my book into your hands. Thank you for reading it, and spreading the word to your friends and families! We all know I’m not much of a marketer, and I’m eternally grateful to all of you for making it a success.

Self-publishing was a wonderful and empowering experience, save for one drawback: while you could buy The Joy of Less from Amazon, or check it out at your local library, it was never available in bookstores.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists Update: Wild Poppy

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 update from Wild Poppy, who was featured in this series a year ago. She explains how a recent experience hosting some friends gave her new insight into her minimalist lifestyle.

Wild Poppy writes:

How can one lone egg radiate such a sense of accomplishment?

I enjoy my minimalist aspirations. I’m sure we all do. This, however, has an impact on how others view us. Take, for example, a recent enlightening encounter.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Sandra

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, Sandra tells us how she pared down after the birth of her son, and found her true calling in her newfound space. Visit her blog for more inspiration.

Sandra writes:

Hello! My name is Sandra and I live in Spain with my partner and my five year old son. I have read all kind of stories in this Real Life Minimalists’ section so I know I am nothing out of the ordinary.… {Read more}

The Joy of One: Shoe

I feel a little guilty that last week’s One Coat challenge was so easy. It was a good warm up, though, and I hope it inspired some of you that yes, it can be done! We often discover on our minimalist journey that what might seem daunting or pointless at first can actually be quite doable and gratifying.

But still—a bit of a struggle makes for a more interesting blog post, doesn’t it?

Well, I have that struggle for you today, as I tackle what might be the most difficult item to reduce to One: shoes.

Now, I’m no Carrie Bradshaw when it comes to footwear; beyond looking presentable and feeling comfortable, I have little interest in what’s on my feet.… {Read more}