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On Not Collecting

I often wonder if the urge to collect is hard-wired in the human race, or just something encouraged by our society.

When I was a child, I remember my friends building collections of dolls, coins, baseball cards, comic books, and pop culture/movie memorabilia. I always felt a little left out. I don’t know if it was due to a lack of interest, short attention span, or early minimalist tendencies, but I had zero desire to participate in the collecting trends that were popular at the time (I won’t date myself by naming them!).

When I was a young adult, however, I finally caved to the pressure.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Christopher

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 wonderful contribution from Christopher, who explains how his childhood experiences inspired him to pursue a simpler, more minimalist life.

Christopher writes:

I was raised in a family where every square inch of every home I ever lived in as a child was used to its maximum potential. It wasn’t cluttered; it was organized, but boy was it ever filled! You had to squeeze around the garage to get out of the cars.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Warren and Betsy Talbot

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, I’m thrilled to present Warren and Betsy Talbot’s story. They’ve sold almost all of their stuff, and plan to embark on a multi-year, worldwide trip. Visit their blog, Married with Luggage, to follow their adventure!

Warren and Betsy write:

Our names are Warren and Betsy Talbot, and we just sold our house and most of our belongings to embark on a 4-year journey around the world. We started off a few years ago with a 3000-square-foot house in the suburbs of Boston and are now renting a furnished room from a friend in Seattle before we head out on October 1 for South America.… {Read more}

10 Steps to a Minimalist Office

After purging all my office supplies when we moved overseas, I was determined to keep my new workspace as simple and streamlined as possible. Not only do I work better in an uncluttered environment; I don’t want to accumulate anything extra by the next time we move!

Here’s ten techniques to keep things to a minimum:

1. Stop incoming paperwork. Get off mailing lists, cancel magazine subscriptions, and sign up for online billing and statements. The less physical mail you have to deal with (and file), the better!

2. Digitize existing paperwork. Sure, a scanner is one more piece of office equipment; but it’ll probably take up less space than the paperwork it replaces!… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Sarah

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, Sarah shares her story with us. I love her honesty about her struggles with consumerism (we’ve all been there!), and her determination to continue on a minimalist path.

Sarah writes:

Ever since I was little, I’ve had a love/hate relationship with “stuff.” Acquiring it gives me a thrill, having it when I need or want it gives me a feeling of security and control, but having it in my space grates on my nerves!… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Gil

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, it’s my pleasure to bring you Gil’s story. Dissatisfied with the amount of “stuff” in his life, Gil set out to purge three-quarters of his possessions. I’m so glad he’s decided to share his experience with us!

Gil writes:

I could say my own path to minimalism started not only as a desire to downsize my personal possessions, but also to take the focus off of said items and project it onto those things which are much greater and bigger than me.… {Read more}

Minimalist Architecture – Helsinki and Tallinn

When my husband and I travel, we love to walk the streets of foreign cities and admire the architecture. We’ve seen it all: from the Art Nouveau apartment houses of Prague, to the neon skyscrapers in Hong Kong, to the Gothic cathedrals in almost every European country. What we don’t see very often: minimalist buildings.

Therefore, I was delighted to encounter some lovely examples on a recent trip to Helsinki and Tallinn (a 2-hour ferry ride across the Gulf of Finland). After spending the last several months gazing at elaborate turrets, intricate stonework, and churches carved with every manner of saint, sinner, and gargoyle, the Scandinavian architecture was a breath of fresh air.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Jan

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 submission from Jan. She explains why she started on her minimalist journey, and describes the progress she’s made so far. If you’d like to learn more, please visit her blog, Finallygettingtoeven.com.

Jan writes:

My place on the roadway of this minimalist life so far:

I got my financial house in order, finally seeing things for what they were and had become and how weighted down personally I was from the debt load that I was carrying upon my shoulders on a daily basis.… {Read more}

Nothing to Steal

My husband and I travel a lot, and people sometimes ask us if we worry about our apartment while we’re gone. Our answer: not particularly. The reason: we have nothing to steal.

Sure, we have stuff—clothing, kitchenware, books, and a few pieces of furniture. However, I can’t imagine anyone wanting any of it. And if they need it so badly that they have to steal it, they probably need it more than we do.

Anything we have of value—like our iPods, cell phones, cash, and wedding rings—is almost always with us.

The only thing I’d even come close to “worrying about” is my laptop.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Deb

Every Monday (when I have participants) 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 happy to present Deb’s story. I think it’s a wonderful example of how we can continue on our minimalist journeys, even when our personal circumstances make it a little more challenging.

Deb writes:

My name is Deb. At 57 I’m still working to reduce the things I live with. I have been a minimalist most of my life. Unfortunately, I was raised by two pack rats.… {Read more}