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’ll get to know a little more about Sunny, and her motivation for choosing a minimalist lifestyle.
Sunny writes:
I’m a minimalist. I own two pieces of furniture. My closets are empty and my cupboards are bare. There’s space everywhere in my life, and I’ve never been happier.
Once upon a time, I was very complicated. I wore stilettos, carried designer handbags (stuffed with receipts, chewing gum, extra socks, a dozen lips glosses, and sticky unidentifiable objects), and spent an inordinate time organizing/dusting/reorganizing my overwhelming burden of belongings.
My first glimpse into what minimalist design looked like occurred at the Denver Art Museum, in this picture I’ve included. “Wow,” I thought. “Imagine how easier life would be if THAT were my living room!”
Despite my admiration for minimalism, in all its forms, I became a minimalist by accident. When I received an unexpected medical bill, I choose to sell my furniture instead of go back into debt. With my apartment suddenly bare, I wondered why I didn’t feel like a failure for having released all of the things that signified my adulthood. Like my kitchen mixer, which I never used, but having it signified that I was “grown-up”.
Then I remembered that simple corner at the art museum, the one I liked so much I’d been compelled to take a picture. If it’s good enough for a museum, I figured it was good enough for me.
After living an unfurnished life for a few weeks, I felt brand new. I began reading about other minimalists. Reading blogs, like this one, encouraged me to release even more stuff. I sold everything, piece by piece, until only the necessities were left.
It’s amazing what happens when you empty a drawer. A slice of freedom comes along with it. What would you do differently if you weren’t tied down to your stuff? Maybe you aren’t the type to move to Brazil and live a vagabond beach life, but would you live your everyday life differently?
For me, my minimalist quest became a release of the mental clutter, as well as the physical clutter. Instead of dusting, I began thinking. Without shopping, I had time to read books, and have lunch with good friends. The important things became clear.
Seduced by the absence of stuff, I’ve fallen in love with a new kind of life (which I’ve started to write about on my own blog, Simplicity by Sunny). I want to travel, experience different cultures, live out of a suitcase, develop more relationships. Most of all, I want to experience life, not stuff.
So, I’m off – pockets light, mind open – to enjoy another Sunny minimalist day!
Photo by Sunny
Yay Sunny! Look forward to more pix on your blog, too.
Sunny, Wow, two pieces of furniture–most impressive. And, can I just say, you are an excellent writer.
You mentioned your mixer making you feel grown up–I’ve also found myself keeping things on occasion because I found them somehow entwined in my identity. As if the things made me who I was.
Miss Minimalist – Thank you for posting my story!
@ Michelle – Photography is my favorite addiction.
@Simple in France – I’ll admit that I went a tad overboard with the two pieces of furniture part, but what fun would life be without getting crazy occasionally? Thank you for your kind compliment. And I think we all keep things around that remind us of who we are. That’s not always a bad thing – like books (or ebooks!), photographs, cake-decorating supplies. Where would we be without our passions?
I really do love reading stories like this. They are far more inspiration that an article can be because they are a spotlight of everyday people who put ideas into action. Thanks, Sunny for sharing and I’m sure you’ll get a few new subscribers to your blog, including myself.
– Charley
What a wonderful, inspiring story Sunny.
I so admire your boldness. You are fearless in your life and in your writing.
I hope one day to be where you are.
~janet
Sunny, I enjoyed reading your story!
I love photography too (though I am just an amateur), and wish I could just roam the world with a backpack and my camera.
Cool post–I’m curious about your 2 pieces of furniture. What are they?
Thank you, everyone, for such kind comments!
@ A simple guy – My two pieces of furniture are a sofa (doubles as a bed) and a table (actually borrowed from friends). This setup works for now, and the experience has been interesting!
Sunny, this is truly refreshing. The art museum epiphany hit home with me.
Your writing is excellent and your perspective demonstrates a wonderful sense of balance. My appreciation of the good insights you’ve shared here prompted me to check out your blog. Though, I’m rarely a *joiner,* I’ve happily have added “Simplicity by Sunny” to my daily online review.
My thanks also to Miss Minimalist for offering articles of continual quality.
:-)
Dear Sunny, I am so impressed by your story. You make me feel like a real “maximalist”! I have been looking round at some of the stuff I have and you may just have given me the kick I need to get on and get rid of more extraneous stuff. My problem is that I get worried about what people will think! Is that pathetic or what? What reaction do you get to your lifestyle? Will certainly read your blog with interest. Frances.
Thanks for sharing your story Sunny, I am also now enjoying your blog. Living my simple life can be “lonely” at times when those around me just don’t get it. It’s nice to check out sites like yours, and miss minimalist’s to remind me I’m not alone.
Great story, Sunny! I agree that going minimalist is very liberating. May all your dreams of traveling and experiencing different cultures come true soon!
I dream of a living room like that. my parents are obsessed with buying the latest gadgets like huge flat screen tvs and the like. though i guess flat screen is better than a normal tv because it leaves more space… still, the only thing i watch on tv are documentaries – thats not so bad… but i still have a ways to go!
Reading today’s post on real life minimalists, I followed the link to this post which I hadn’t read before. Sunny’s story really spoke to me in so many ways. I identified with the ten lip glosses and the sticky unidentifiable in my purse. I also connected with visiting a museum and seeing a minimalist exhibit and really desiring the negative space in art. I am slowly creating a minimalist home and this post was really inspirational!
Thanks!
Does anybody know what happened to Sunny? I’ve been following her blog for months in 2011 and 2012 – and I really liked her style of writing. In July 2012 her blog moved to a different URL and has not been updated since.
I’ve been thinking the same thing!! I want her to come back. I always looked forward to her posts/stories. :( Why?? Where, oh, where, did our little Sunny go??
Me too!! I hope somebody is able to get in contact with her and let her know we all miss her.
I really miss Sunny’s writing.
I hadn’t seen Sunny’s piece before. I liked that she had 2 pieces of furniture. A noble goal, but like some of your other readers, I’m in my 60’s and need a chair.
We have 4 kitchen chairs and some folding chairs. Once, when we had a number of people coming over, we asked folks to bring some folding chairs. It worked very well. I thought of Miss Minimalist and her asking people to bring their own plates.
I am planning to have 15 people over. I am borrowing a table and some chairs. I now have to count the silverware. Usually, I just have 2 or 4 other people over. I have plenty of platters and serving pieces. This is the largest group in about 10 years.
My BIL saw pictures of my party and asked if I would make one for him. I love the cleaning and color coordination, but I hate to cook. So as long as he’s willing to order out, I will be glad to throw a party for 15 to 20 people.
The October party worked out well. I just came back from my brother’s house. I decluttered his basement, linen closet, and one kitchen cupboard. There is more I would like to do but I need permission.
Sunny, I miss your blog! :(
My brother moved from a huge 4 bedroom house with 3 baths and a furnished basement to a 1200 sq ft condo. I filled garbage bag after garbage bag and many boxes with give away items. I also shredded tons of paper for recycling. There was a lot of broken junk, too. My niece said if it was broken or chipped, get rid of it. I also found some beautiful gold and silver jewelry he had been looking for.
I keep getting rid of stuff. I help friends and family make choices. A group of us were discussing the trend to make an extra bedroom into a walk in closet. I don’t have enough stuff to fill the small closets I have.