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Real Life Minimalists: Caroline Garnet McGraw

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. (Note: the schedule is now full until June — but if you don’t mind waiting, feel free to send me your submission!)

Today, we have a truly inspirational story from Caroline Garnet McGraw. She tells us about her experiences living and working in a L’Arche community, and reminds us that it’s people, not things, that make our lives remarkable.

Caroline writes:

I’m Caroline Garnet McGraw, real-life minimalist writer behind the new blog, A wish come clear.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Mohanalakshmi

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. (Note: the schedule is now full until June — but if you don’t mind waiting, feel free to send me your submission!)

This week, I’m happy to feature Mohanalakshmi, who writes from Qatar. She tells us about how she gave up shopping in 2009, and what she learned from the experience. Please stop by her blog to read more!

Mohanalakshmi writes:

(Re)Learning the Art of Abundance: No New Clothes

I gave up shopping in 2009 as a way to bring this impulse under control and people were kind enough to read along with my (mis)adventures via my blog.… {Read more}

100 Possessions: Glass Tumblers

Once upon a time, my husband and I had a cupboard full of glasses: water glasses, juice glasses, pint glasses, wine glasses, champagne glasses, even whiskey glasses. Name a beverage, and we likely had a special glass for it.

In hindsight, it seems ridiculous – but we hadn’t gone out and purchased them all at once. They just slowly accumulated over the years we lived in our house. Some we bought for daily needs, some we received as gifts, and some we acquired for special occasions.

Some we used every day, and some we used just once or twice a year.… {Read more}

A Year Ago on miss minimalist

Spring Decluttering: So it’s finally here…spring. And you know what that means, don’t you? It’s time for some major decluttering! I’ve always loved this time of year. The cherry trees will soon be in bloom, as well as the Bradford pears, magnolias, and dogwoods. The whole world seems fresh, new, and beautiful—and I want my home to be just as lovely!…{read more}

To Live Content with Small Means…This is My Symphony: Today I’d like to share this quote from William Henry Channing: “To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not, rich; to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart; to study hard; to think quietly, act frankly, talk gently, await occasions, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common–this is my symphony”…{read more}… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Catherine

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. (Note: the schedule is now full until June — but if you don’t mind waiting, feel free to send me your submission!)

This week, it’s my pleasure to introduce you to Catherine. Her story is a beautiful example of how minimalism is about more than decluttering your closets – it’s a wonderful path to self-discovery! Please visit her blog to read more about her journey.

Catherine writes:

My name is Catherine.… {Read more}

Arete: Minimalism and the Pursuit of Excellence

Back in college, I had a thing for Greek philosophers. While my peers were obtaining more practical knowledge in business, engineering, and the like, I was reading Plato and Aristotle and pondering the meaning of life.

My fling with these ancient thinkers was pushed to the backburner when I graduated, however; after all, I had more pressing concerns – like paying the rent and making a living.

Occasionally, though, something sparks that flame anew; most recently, a reader named Anna. In her email, she reminded me of the concept of areté, and how it relates to minimalism.

Areté, in the most general sense, means excellence – particularly with regards to fulfilling a purpose or function.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Brian

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. (Note: the schedule is now full until June — but if you don’t mind waiting, feel free to send me your submission!)

Today, I’m excited to feature Brian, who tells us about his experiences living in an ecovillage. After reading about his community–and how it’s tailor-made for the minimalist lifestyle–I’m dreaming about moving in!

Brian writes:

Almost three years ago now my partner and I left the wonderful, expensive cacophony that is New York City behind.… {Read more}

More Minimalist Wardrobe Musings

I was planning to write a deep, philosophical post on minimalism this week…but to be honest, I just wasn’t in a pensive mood. I am once again “between homes,” and the burden of dragging around my possessions between various hotels and sublets has inspired musings of a more practical nature.

I’m going to stay on the topic of wardrobe this week, as it constitutes the bulk of my baggage at the moment. In particular, I’ve been fantasizing about items that would enable me to reduce my load even more. And foremost in my fantasies are ultra-versatile items that address all my needs in a single package.… {Read more}

A Year Ago on miss minimalist

Study: Experiences Bring More Happiness Than Stuff: If you asked me to name my favorite “purchases,” I’d be much more likely to rattle off vacations I’ve taken, operas and ballets I’ve seen, and nice dinners I’ve had — rather than any things that I’ve bought. Well, it seems I’m not the only one. A new study shows that experience-related purchases, rather than material ones, bring more happiness to the consumer…{read more}

Minimalist Flooring: Carpet Tiles: I love a bare floor as much as the next minimalist. However, sometimes an area rug is desirable — to delineate a section of a room, add a touch of color, or simply provide some warmth underfoot.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: James

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. (Note: the schedule is now full until May — but if you don’t mind waiting, feel free to send me your submission!)

This week we hear from James, who writes from upstate New York. He’s taken time off from shoveling his driveway, to share some words of wisdom about living with less in the frozen north.

James writes:

My name is James, and I was born and raised in upstate New York, a place with all 4 seasons and a very long winter.… {Read more}