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A Kinder, Gentler Minimalism

Up until now, I’ve practiced a rather extreme form of minimalism: living in tiny spaces, and carting around all my worldly possessions in a duffel bag.

But with my recent lifestyle changes (a new baby and a home purchase), I’ve given up my membership in the globetrotting, minimalist elite. I’m now ready to explore a kinder, gentler minimalism: one that will (hopefully) be relevant to a wider range of my readers.

My husband and I used to be able to get by with a pair of chairs and a coffee table, and just enough dinnerware for the two of us.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Kate Carpenter

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’d like to introduce you to Kate Carpenter, whose minimalist journey led her to a career as a writer. Be sure to visit her website to learn more about her books!

Kate writes:

My first year of college, I read a book called Living Poor with Style by Ernest Callenbach and it changed my life. For 40 years (I’m 58 now), I’ve been a “minimalist” but didn’t know what to call myself!… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Lydia

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 Lydia, who tells us how minimalism is helping her embrace a fabulous opportunity to study abroad!

Lydia writes:

I’ve always considered myself something of a minimalist. Even when I was a kid, I felt overwhelmed by “too much stuff”, and was happiest with just a few favorite toys and outfits. As an adult, I love sharing an apartment with a bunch of roommates, and I’ve never had more stuff than could fit in my bedroom (not counting my car, of course!).… {Read more}

Clean Slate Part 2: Bundle of Joy

On the course of our minimalist journey, my husband and I had never seriously entertained the idea of having children. For a long time, we couldn’t imagine how an infant/toddler/adolescent/teenager could fit into the carefree, nomadic lifestyle we had created for ourselves.

But last year, after purging all the excess from our lives, something changed.

In my book, The Joy of Less, I liken minimalism to “emptying our cups”—not for the sake of being empty, but for discovering what’s truly special to us and making room for it.

Well, after my husband and I stripped everything to the bone—giving up our home, our possessions, the expectations of others—we discovered the potential of our “empty cup”: the capacity to love, care for, and share this amazing world with a child.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Lucent Imagery from Australia

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, Lucent Imagery from Australia writes about how minimalism has contributed to her vision of the world; I think you’ll find her story very inspiring! After reading, don’t forget to check out the beautiful photos on her blog.

Lucent Imagery writes:

When I look back on my childhood, I know that minimalism in some shape or form was always a part of me. My mum and I always loved “throw out” days where we would purge excess belongings or clothes that no longer appealed to us.… {Read more}

Clean Slate Part 1: Homecoming

Hi everybody—I missed you all during my sabbatical! Oh boy, do we have a lot of catching up to do…

If you’ve been following my blog for awhile (or reading the archives), you know that in 2009 my husband and I sold our house, and almost everything we owned, to move overseas. The whole experience was like starting life anew with a clean slate. We traveled extensively, and lived a mainly nomadic life—moving every few months with all our possessions in our duffel bags.

Well, it’s time for a clean slate once again. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be filling you in on some big changes in my personal life (and revealing why I’ve been taking some time off).… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Ritu

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, Ritu shares her story with us. She began her minimalist journey several years ago, and tells us how the experience has positively impacted her life.

Ritu writes:

I was born and raised in India. In my early twenties, I moved to the USA for graduate school, and have recently started working as a scientist in a research lab. I was introduced to minimalism about three years ago when I accidentally came across Julie Morgenstern’s book “SHED Your Stuff, Change Your Life.” I enjoyed this book a lot and got instantly connected to the minimalism philosophy.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Andy

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 story from Andy. He’s an aspiring minimalist, who’s using his overseas work assignment to re-evaluate the excess stuff in his life.

Andy writes:

I’ve really enjoyed reading your website, so thought I would share my own story – well the story so far!

I’m calling it: Preparing to take the plunge. By “gonna be a” minimalist.

My name is Andy and I am a hoarder. I want to say it out loud and confess to the world.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Jake from Australia

Every Monday I post Real Life Minimalists, a profile of one of my readers in their own words (click here for details).

This week, Jake writes from Australia. He tells us about his decluttering progress, and how it’s had a positive impact on both his own mindset and his family life.

Jake writes:

Dear Miss Minimalist,

Thank you for being an ongoing inspiration to help me remove so much clutter and junk around my house. Just today I donated a whole boot load of stuff from the back of my car; the things had been collecting gradually just in the last two weeks alone.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Heidi from Kingman, AZ

Every Monday I post Real Life Minimalists, a profile of one of my readers in their own words (click here for details).

Today, Heidi from Kingman, AZ shares an inspirational story with us. She explains how her minimalist philosophy helped her through a very difficult time in her life.

Heidi writes:

The past few years have been so stressful. I was overworked and exhausted. I was also terrified of becoming a hoarder like my mother’s best friend. I didn’t know what I was looking for, but I needed help. I started by researching stress relief and found tons of really decent websites that basically said too much stuff makes you stressed.… {Read more}