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A Year Ago on miss minimalist

The Minimalist Mailbox: The key to being a minimalist is controlling the stuff that flows into your life. In most cases, this power lies in your hands: you can refrain from shopping, refuse freebies, and ask friends and family to stop giving you gifts. You can, in effect, shut the door on stuff. The problem: in that door lies a mail slot. And through that slot will pour all kinds of useless, unwanted, and uninvited clutter, almost every single day… {read more}

The Minimalist Wardrobe: Choose a Base Color: Once upon a time, the clothes in my closet ran the gamut of colors—I had warm hues, cool hues, neutrals, pastels, jewel tones, etc.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Cody

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 through mid-December — but if you don’t mind waiting, feel free to send me your submission!)

I think you’ll enjoy today’s submission from Cody. He explains how he was able to start over with a clean slate, after living for years amidst his roommates’ clutter. He’s also shared some photos of his minimalist bedroom.

Cody writes:

I would consider myself a salty veteran of the minimalist lifestyle.… {Read more}

Minimizing Digital Commitments

Last year at this time, I’d never heard of the term “digital sabbatical.” And I had no reason to: while I spent my days in front of my computer (writing, blogging, working), I rarely had need to log on during the evenings or weekends.

As the year progressed, however, my digital workdays grew longer: there were more blogs to read, emails to answer, tweets to write, etc, etc. I’d find myself online late into the night, or on a Saturday or Sunday, answering blog comments, working on projects, or simply keeping up with daily correspondence.

Sometime this summer, I realized my life was out of balance.… {Read more}

A Year Ago on miss minimalist

Farewell to My Minimalist House: My husband and I recently sold our three-bedroom, 1920s-era bungalow. As we inconveniently listed it during one of the worst housing markets EVER, it took four months for it to sell… {read more}

Ditch the Prints – Digital Photos are More Fun!: To be honest, I’ve never really enjoyed spending hours looking through someone else’s family photo albums—and I get the feeling I’m not the only one! On the other hand, receiving a snapshot by email always makes me smile… {read more}

Minimalist Living: One In, One Out: One in, one out: it’s a simple rule that works wonders in keeping clutter under control… {read more}

Born Minimalist?… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Laurel

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 through mid-December — but if you don’t mind waiting, feel free to send me your submission!)

This week, Laurel tells us how she discovered (and embraced) a minimalist lifestyle, and how she plans to simplify further in the future. If you’d like to read more about her, please be sure to visit her blog.

Laurel writes:

Growing up, I always liked stuff, but I also felt trapped by it.… {Read more}

My Minimalist Workspace

Today I thought I’d give you a peek at my minimalist workspace – in case you’ve ever wondered, this is where the magic happens. :)

From the time I was a child, I’ve never been a fan of desks. When I was young, I used to spread my homework out on the floor; somehow it felt more expansive, more conducive to creative thought. I was always slightly uncomfortable in schools and offices, where I had to conform to a more proper workspace.

When I moved into my new flat, I was thrilled to see the deep, low windowsills – a perfect minimalist office!… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Alisa Moore

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 through mid-December — but if you don’t mind waiting, feel free to send me your submission!)

Today, it’s my pleasure to present Alisa Moore’s story. I think her minimalist lifestyle on Bainbridge Island sounds wonderful, and I hope you find it as inspiring as I do!

Alisa writes:

I come from a family of minimalists, so it’s not surprising that I feel best living in a small space, owning few possessions, no major electronics, and working from home most of the time, allowing me time to garden, read, hang out with my teenager and his friends, sew, cook, and just think!… {Read more}

Minimalist Living: Movement or Fad?

I was recently asked by a reporter whether I thought the current popularity of minimalist living was a passing fad, or a bona fide movement.

First of all, I’m thrilled that minimalist living is on the radar of mainstream media. I’ve been a minimalist for a long time, and I remember when my Google searches on the term turned up little more than references to modern architecture, John Cage’s music, and 1960s art. Today, the same search returns a treasure trove of websites, blogs, and discussions – and yes, some actual newspaper articles – on how to live a simpler life.… {Read more}

A Minimalist Cookbook

Over the last few months, I’ve received many requests for posts on minimalist cooking. It’s a topic near and dear to my heart, since my new tiny apartment came with a tiny kitchen (you can see it here), and the tiniest fridge I’ve had since college.

Furthermore, I love simple, healthy meals made with fresh ingredients. I’ll take rustic Italian peasant food any day over haute French cuisine.

However, I have to admit, I’ve dropped the ball. While I think it’d be fun to blog about cooking, I’ve yet to find the motivation to pick up my camera and document what I’m doing while making dinner.… {Read more}

A Year Ago on miss minimalist

Now that my blog has celebrated a birthday, I can write cool flashback posts on what I was blogging about last year. How fun! :-) I think it’ll be a good way to introduce new readers to some of the topics I’ve covered, and maybe spark some new and interesting discussion.

Here’s what I wrote in my first week of blogging, this time last year:

I Have Freebie Phobia: My thoughts on turning down those little gifts, tchotchkes, and trial sizes companies try to give us. Goodbye, Stuff: My “Dear John” letter for breaking up with my stuff. How to Create a Minimalist Bathroom: Ten ways to create a space that soothes your soul while you brush your teeth.… {Read more}