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 have a wonderful contribution from Monica McCarthy, who explains how minimalism has helped foster her creativity. I love her tips for fellow Artsy Types!
Monica writes:
Monica
My journey with minimalism began right here at Miss Minimalist! I have no idea how I first came upon this blog, but it spurred on a love affair with minimalism I never expected!
First, let me explain to you that I am not a minimalist by nature. I have never been organized and I have always gravitated towards rich colors, creative designs, and form over function. While I have a huge appreciation for the white walls, bed sheets, dishes, etc. that adorn most minimalist blogs, I have no desire to replicate them (ok maybe a little desire, but I’d be pretending to be someone that at my core, I am not). So what’s a minimalist wannabe/artsy type girl to do? Well, I decided to take what works for me from the minimalism world and leave the rest. There are no rules. No minimalist police. Just because some people are happier with only owning 100 things doesn’t mean I gotta take the plunge.
As an actress (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2286261), blogger (http://www.morningdo.com), holistic health coach, and aspiring photographer (http://monicanyla.tumblr.com) I’ve come to the realization that minimalism has greatly helped pave the way for increasing my creativity!
Here are a few minimalist tips that have worked for me. I hope they help my fellow Creative Artsy Types out there:
· Create a routine. Since I don’t always have to be up and out the door at a certain time, the day can get away from me! I find setting my alarm every morning for the same time, taking my dog for a run, getting ready (even if I don’t have to go anywhere!), and sitting at my computer by 10am helps clear my mental clutter and pave way for a focused day.
· Have a designated creativity space. After cleaning out our bedroom (and leaving only a dresser and a bed for furniture), I purchased a cool rug from Urban Outfitters and I’m on the hunt for a big, plushy floor pillow. In order for inspiration to come to us we have to give it room right? I don’t plan to use that space for anything besides reading, writing, drawing, and any craft idea that comes to mind.
· Organize sources of inspiration. I definitely fall into the trap of wanting inspiration at my finger tips- whether that’s in the form of books, movies, music, blogs, or magazines. I’ve learned it’s helpful to consolidate as much as possible. All the information that can be found in magazines can be found online. I’ve had to place a limit to the number of blogs I follow. I use itunes instead of buying CDs and movies. Inspiration and creativity grows by sharing it, so pass along any books, movies, and CDs you have used and or/downloaded.
· Out with the old to make space for the new. Toss old headshots, resumes, audition sides, music that no longer serves you, and paint brushes that are growing mold. Give away those wardrobe pieces you keep thinking will come in handy for an audition or themed party but never do. It’s hard to let go of that money you invested, but it’s also freeing to know you’ve grown into the next stage of your career.
In short, minimalism has help spur on my creativity by helping to remove the clutter that blocks my inspiration!
{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.}
Thank you so much for having me as a guest on your blog! You are a lovely host:) I also just wanted to point out that when I said “owing a few things”, I of course meant “owning a few things” and it should read “All the information that can be found in magazines” instead of “All this information that can be found in magazines”… whoopsie!;)
My pleasure, Monica — corrections made! :)
Great post! So nice to meet Monica! I love the out with the old in with the new! I need to keep this in mind!
Bernice
10 steps to learning for life
This was a lovely post, with an original, yet practical point of view. I caught myself nodding my head with “Create a Routine”. I also get up at the same time every morning, although my work schedule is more open that most. It gives you a sense of accomplishment first thing in the morning, when you are up, have your first cup of coffee or tea and have some chores done all before 7:00 a.m. or whatever time you have chosen. At first I thought I had created a false schedule or timeline, but when I realized all I was getting done, I quickly got over it. Perfect post for a Monday morning. Thanks!
Monica, I love how you seem to have been able so easily (it appears) to adjust the minimalist mentality to suit your personality and lifestyle so well. I have recently gone on a bit of a splurge (yikes) getting a writing and art centre set up for my dc in our kitchen nook area, and I Love the increased creativity it has spurred on my already- creative dc. But it is worth it, even though it seems opposite to de-cluttering! We need to always remember to do what serves us (& family) best and leave the rest, like you said.
Thanks for sharing, Monica. And MM, great series. I continue to enjoy reading them all. Such diversity.
Thanks Monica! I struggle with the same things that you are talking about in this post. I am drawn to the maximalist interior, but also find myself longing for minimalism in my life! I am going to try out some of your tips!
It’s wonderful to read your story, but even MORE wonderful to know that you appeared in my very favorite TV show of all time, “Six Feet Under”. How appropriate that you were an art student?! Awesome!!!
It’s amazing how artistic pursuits can make a house so cluttered so fast! These are awesome suggestions, Monica – thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for your wonderful comments! I’ve loved “meeting” so many of Miss Minimalist’s lovely peeps here and on Morning DO!!
I can relate to your views. My bedroom wall is magenta and I have a few bright accessories around. Everyone has a different style, wants and needs. I don’t feel too visually cluttered with brighter colors in a house, as long as there isn’t too many objects in the room and furniture is kept to minimum. For visual pleasure, you have to consider the room as a whole rather than just focusing on colours- the floor, the ceiling, the walls, art/creative pieces, furnishings, accessories, the position of objects, textures, lighting etc. Good post.
I liked this post as I do a lot of crafts and have taught some. I feel this and the post on aspirational clutter go together. I took a big bag of things to the children’s room at the library yesterday. I have emptied another drawer. There is still much to go through and my condo is not cluttered at all. Moving into a studio apt seems like a good goal for when I am very old.
I got a drawing book for Mothers’Day so I’m giving away 2 older books, a quilting book and a beading book. I enjoy learning new art styles and new ways of looking at the world. There are plenty of books at the library but I had checked this one out 4 times already.
My husband is planning another cruise for next spring. We will again take very little and watch the people with the giant and multiple suitcases.I am looking for more to pass on in my weekly give away bag.
I am visiting my brother next month. Since my last visit, when I found 10 garbage bags full of clothes to give away, he has asked me to go through his linen closet and some of the other closets in his house. I love to clean closets and our closets aren’t stuffed.
I find I need to make art of some kind every day. Inspiration is all around. There is fabric art, collage, paper cutting, crocheting, weaving, sculpture, various kinds and styles of painting, up cycling, the list can go on and on. I also like to be involved in collaborative art and art in the community. Having the large spaces in my home clean helps a lot when I start a project.
The local YMCA has a summer camp program and is seeking art materials for donation. I have many that I bought second hand and did not use. Often there is a pack of paper or yarn or buttons where not all of them are what I need. So I quickly filled a shopping bag with what I hope is a nice assortment of art supplies the kids can use. I was at a thrift shop yesterday and saw a gorgeous necklace but remembered I had something similar at home and didn’t need yet another necklace.
I have taught upcycling at a forest preserve, the public library, and a museum. My work has been on display for quite a while. My advice is to limit what you collect. People give me garbage bags full of things, especially when they are moving. Unless it is truly wonderful- old velvet ribbon or antique buttons, for example, you can find more. Plain white tissue paper or plain white envelopes or the cheap plastic bags that are only good for used cat litter are not fabulous. And yet people have bags and boxes of them.
I have been sorting and recycling at our local library for our book sale. Our museum also gives me permission to sort and discard papers, electrical cords, and office supplies. When I was in school in the 1960’s a computer took up a building. Now we each have a computer in our pocket. We don’t need all the paper.