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Real Life Minimalists: Kris

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

I think you’ll find today’s story from Kris very inspirational! She tells us how she’s pursuing a new career in human rights—and how minimalism helped make it happen. Please visit her blog, Saying Yes, to learn more.

Kris writes:

Hi! I’m Kris and I’ve been slowly minimizing for about five years now, and I made the biggest leap this summer.

Five years ago I was a frustrated lower-level marketing account manager for extended warranties. Today I’m a 39-year-old first year Ph.D.… {Read more}

Minimalist Holiday: Give Hope

As we gather with friends and family this holiday week, many of us will find that despite the hardships of this economy, we are truly blessed. If you’re reading this blog, it’s pretty likely you have a roof over your head, a warm place to sleep, and plenty of food on the table.

We must remember, however, that others may not be so lucky. Too many homeless are sleeping on streets tonight; too many children are going to bed hungry; and too many people are losing their struggle for survival due to a lack of basic medical care and supplies.

Minimalism isn’t just about decluttering our closets and living with less; it’s determining when we have enough, so we can do something good with the excess.… {Read more}

Minimalist Holiday: Declutter-Gifts

For many aspiring minimalists, a certain temptation arises at this time of year. On the one hand, you have the urge to purge your household of unwanted things; and on the other, you may be expected to produce gifts for friends and family. It seems like the perfect opportunity to kill two birds with one stone; but can declutter-gifting really be pulled off with panache?

It’s tricky, but I think it can be done—as long as the declutter-gift meets one of the following standards:

It’s an heirloom. And by heirloom, I don’t mean the velvet Elvis that’s been sitting in your basement for the last twenty years.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Heather

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, Heather shares with us a story of near-disaster. She tells us how the experience changed her perspective on “stuff,” and strengthened her commitment to a minimalist lifestyle.

Heather writes:

I have always considered myself a fairly simple person, so when I started reading about minimalism about six months ago, it really struck a chord with me. My husband had actually been after me for a while to get rid of some of our “stuff.” One day I read “Organized Simplicity” by Tsh Oxenreider, and I haven’t looked back.… {Read more}

Minimalist Holiday Decor

One thing I’ve never liked about the holiday season is the proliferation of store-bought décor. Plastic trees, mass-manufactured ornaments, and objects emblazoned with Santas, elves, and reindeer are not only a drain on our planet’s resources; they’re also extra things that must be stored, unused, for eleven months of the year.

I’m certainly not against decorating for the holidays; I simply think we can do it in a lighter, more elegant, and more environmentally-friendly way. Here’s some ideas:

Decorate with nature. Spread evergreen branches across your mantle, or spruce up your table with sprigs of holly. Gather pine cones into a bowl, or place a few poinsettias around your home.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Sancho

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.

It’s my pleasure this week to introduce you to Sancho—who, after an experiment in minimalist living this past summer, was inspired to continue paring down his possessions and living with less. Check out his blog to learn more!

Sancho writes:

I’ve had the chance to live minimally this summer. I moved to Mountain View for three months and decided to bring and buy only what I really needed. I ended up bringing 66 things and acquiring a few more.… {Read more}

Minimalist Holiday: The Gift of Time

There’s one gift that’s more valuable than anything bought in a shop; more appreciated by its recipient than anything wrapped in pretty paper; and sure to be remembered for years to come. The best part: giving it won’t require a trip to the store, harm the environment, violate workers’ rights, contribute to the commercialization of our holidays, or clutter the recipient’s home.

What is this fabulous gift? Your time.

This holiday, offer your presence—instead of presents—to friends and family. You can even make it formal by giving the recipient a handmade certificate for specific services, such as the following:

* Provide a free night of babysitting for a friend’s kids

* Help an elderly relative with household chores or repairs

* Spend an afternoon (chatting, having coffee, or walking through the park) with someone special

* Teach someone something you know—like how to cook, do yoga, or speak a foreign language

* Offer your expertise with a task, be it fixing someone’s computer, doing their taxes, or hemming a garment

* Take a niece or nephew on a cultural excursion, such as a trip to a local museum

* Help someone declutter their closet, basement, attic, or garage

* Cook someone a delicious meal, like breakfast-in-bed, an elegant brunch, or a special dinner

* Help with a home improvement project, like painting, tiling, or planting a garden

* Offer to run errands for someone who has trouble getting around

* Take a day off from work, to spend exclusively with your spouse or child (let them pick the day’s activities)

* Offer your creativity—help someone design a web page, redecorate their living room, or put together a scrapbook or slideshow of their favorite photos

If your cup of generosity runneth over, go a step beyond and offer your time to someone you don’t know—by participating in a volunteer project.… {Read more}

One Less Gift – A Holiday Gift Exemption Certificate

Tired of holiday consumerism?

Give a “One Less Gift” Certificate to someone special.

Instead of exchanging presents, you’ll both have one less gift to worry about, saving time, money, and the planet’s resources.

Click here for the full-size certificate in PDF format: print it off, or email it to friends and family!

Consider these less-material ways to celebrate the holiday with your loved ones:

1. Spend time together. Schedule a lunch, walk, or coffee together. Plan it around a holiday activity—like strolling through town to admire the shop windows and Christmas lights—for a particularly festive atmosphere.

2. Make charitable donations. The money we spend buying each other gadgets, knickknacks, and tchotchkes can do a world of good for those less fortunate.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Amber

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 excited to share Amber’s story with you. She’s embracing a minimalist lifestyle to realize her dream: living out of a backpack and traveling around the world. Surf on over to her blog to follow her adventures.

Amber writes:

In 2007, fresh out of college I moved to Tokyo with a suitcase and carry-on. I didn’t have much accumulated and what I did have I sent back to Seattle for Storage.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Carol from Brazil

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 Carol from Brazil. She’s dreaming of a tiny house, and enthusiastically embracing new challenges in her minimalist journey. Very inspiring!

Carol writes:

The first seed of minimalism was planted in me in 2008 when I came across an article about Jay Shafer’s tiny houses. At that moment, I was exhausted juggling two kids, work, home, among other things. I suffered with this fixed idea that I could only be satisfied if I had nothing pending at all.… {Read more}