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 an update from Heather in Texas (we heard from her previously in 2010 and 2011). I love seeing how her minimalist journey has evolved through the years!
Heather writes:
As I sit and write this today, my life is about to take a drastic change again. I start a new job tomorrow. The 3rd in as many years but that is life at the moment. But the one thing I won’t be doing is panic shopping or buying things so I make that first impression of someone I am not. J am not going to give myself an entire makeover because I am going to show up just as I am, right now. No, I am sitting back and enjoying my Sunday with my little family and pets. The old me would have risen at 6 and hit the malls by 9. The new me takes her time, relaxes and will probably worry about what to wear around 7 tonight, maybe. I have a small decluttering project I want to finish up today and take a walk, eat a nice dinner and spend some time just breathing.
My minimalist and simple journey is ongoing and I am relishing all I have learned. I used to be about the job, the rising the ranks, the proving to people I was worthy. Honestly, I still like to do a thorough job and I take my tasks seriously but it’s not longer 24/7 for me. I take my weekends off. I do admit to checking emails for about 20 minutes but nothing like I used to be, spending hours of my weekend time on work related issues.
I am in a shift right now. I am headed towards my 40’s next year and feel a sense of who I really am emerging. I know what I like, what I want and where I want to be. I may not exit the working world for the next 20 or more years, but I will enjoy the moments I can now. I finally understand that balance we all seek.
I am continually editing in all aspects of my life from furniture, decorative items, clothing, finances, hobbies, social time/media, even people. It’s an ever evolving journey that I am truly enjoying now. I have learned to move slower, enjoy more, worry less, be impeccable in my choices, give it 100% , and not worry about that one person who thinks I should have given 10% more. I no longer strive to make impressions based on bottom lines but on what I value.
Until the next chapter my friends.
{If you’d like to learn more about minimalist living, please consider reading my book, The Joy of Less, A Minimalist Living Guide, or subscribing to my RSS feed.}
How wonderful to discover this when you are just shy of 40. I am afraid it took me a lot longer:)
Love your journey! I saw much of myself and what I want for my life in your writings. Great reminder for me!
I am so happy for you! As we continue on this journey and refine it, life certainly does become more joyful. Have fun in your new job. Recognizing true value is priceless indeed.
Hi Heather,
I love this line in your story: ” I no longer strive to make impressions based on bottom lines but on what I value.” I believe that when you align your actions with your values, the bottom line will take care of itself.
The trouble is that most people don’t take the time to figure out what it is that they value. Values aren’t things you can check off…those are goals. Values are at the core of who you are, what motivates and drives you. It’s clear from your story that you value time with your family, presenting your authentic self to the world and doing good work. Knowing that makes it easy to resist the temptation to show up being someone you aren’t.
Great story and awesome messaging…
Ree
I am always envious of those who figured it out early on. I turned 56 last week and have finally reached that point too where I can present my authentic self and stop thinking or caring about what others think, what they want and expect from me, and have I accomplished enough (according to their standards). I hope this new job is something that you will truly enjoy since, as you say, you have another 20 years of it. Unfortunately, I chose security over job satisfaction, but retirement is soon so no regrets!
My job wanes and waxes, just like everything else in life. But I can say by stopping the cycle of trying to be perfect and a yes lady all the time has helped. I am truly doing the best I can in my job and if that is not good enough, well, I am preparing myself and more importantly, I am taking the time NOW to enjoy life- a walk with my son or the dog, swimming, reading a good blog, taking pics, kissing my hubby. I think I finally found job satisfaction when I let go of a lot of negative people, things, ideas, thinking in my life.
Heather, I can certainly identify with letting go of negative people. They can be such an energy drainer and there are all kinds. I had so many in my life that I actually had to halt my thesis once because of people who was insistent of my attention. Nowadays the only ones plaguing me are the ones in cyberspace and you can certainly ignore them!
Aren’t new chapters in life exciting? We just moved from our small town in Michigan (where we’d lived all our lives) to Houston, and the change has really helped us to rediscover our passion and sense of adventure. Wishing you the best, with your new job!
Thanks y’all. It is very exciting…and I am about to embark on the next chapter…so stay tuned. : )
This article was so perfect and inspiring. I have spent most of my life accumulating, stressing and trying so hard to be enough/ do enough, make the right amount of money. No matter how hard I would try I seemed to fall short. I used the measuring stick of my bosses bottom line and approval instead of focusing on just doing my job, being myself and allowing the bottom line to take care of itself, which it would.What a good reminder not just to clean out our closets but to clear our minds of the clutter that accumulates there as well. Thank you
Finding more to get rid of is a life long challenge. I am 65 now and still finding things I don’t think I’ll ever use again. I have some DVD’s and CD’s to pass on but my husband wants to keep them. I have a bag of watches to get rid of which I found in my mother’s apt.
We were looking at old photos on the computer. MY son had 5 big boxes scanned. It was hilarious. I never saw my brothers laugh so hard. This is truly a wonderful time to be a minimalist. THere is no reason to keep boxes and boxes of heirlooms.
I have a lot of empty space in my closet and a few shirts I only wear under other clothes to keep warm. My friend and I were looking at diamond necklaces and wondering where we would ever wear them. Then I talked to someone who said he can’t afford to retire. I said I’d been retired since 2002. It was just a matter of what was important. If I needed something my kids would give it to me for a birthday or Mother’s Day gift but I can’t think of anything I need. We don’t owe any credit card debt and never have.