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, I’m pleased to feature Kimberly, who tells us how battling an illness started her on the road to minimalism. Read more about her inspiring story on her blog.
Kimberly writes:
In my mind, I’ve always been a minimalist. Although, I didn’t really embrace it until more recently when several things in my life began to shift and change.
About 5 years ago, I was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer. I didn’t worry about myself as much as I worried about the people around me. They were so scared and it took all my energy to convince them I was going to be ok. There really wasn’t any time to feel sorry for myself because I was making sure that my friends and family knew that I was strong enough to get through. And I did get through.
It was after that year (filled with hospitals and chemo) that I began to rethink things. I wasn’t really happy with my job, I was overweight and my social life was non-existent. All of these realizations were swirling in my head but I wasn’t quite ready to address them.
Fast forward to 2011. I started searching for a new job, spending more time with my friends and family, eating whole foods and, even though I hate to admit, tried out speed-dating. (Don’t ask.) Little by little my life started to have more meaning as I continued to better myself in the ways that mattered.
And then in February of this year I found a blog, The Minimalists.com, and everything changed. I knew what was important and yet it took two guys on the internet to push me into focusing on those things instead of the excess stuff that was surrounding me.
I started clearing out everything. All the old boxes of stuff I hadn’t seen in years, clothes that didn’t fit, dishes I didn’t use, projects from college, even excess furniture. Next, I cancelled my cable, a decision I should have made years ago! I stopped shopping for fun and began cooking at home more. I began to appreciate things more and want things less. I even decided to put my house on the market. It no longer suits me. With three bedrooms and as many floors, it’s much too big. My plan is to get something smaller, on one floor that will better fit my new lifestyle.
The biggest change I’ve made recently is removing all refined sugar from my diet. It took me a long time to get to this point, but since I’m focusing on my overall health and well-being, it seemed like a logical step. It’s working, too.
Minimalism is different for everyone. For me, it’s a journey with no real endpoint. I want to keep moving forward. I am enjoying the process.
{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.}
Hi Kimberly and thanks for sharing your story.
So often a major life event such as serious illness triggers us to assess what’s really important in life – and usually our endless stuff falls into the category that isn’t.
I wish you well with your new smaller home and hope your health is improving too. Ovarain cancer is a dreadful disease, one that has sadly touched my own family and I wish you well for the future.
Helen
Thank you, Helen, for your kind words. Health is so important. Unfortunately, we so often take it for granted. Good luck to you and your family on your own journey.
Hi Kimberly,
Great article. A friend of mine had cancer in her early 20’s. She said the same thing that you do – she wasn’t worried about herself, but about her family and close friends. How nice, maybe it’s not a coincedence that both of you made it through.
I’m no dietary expert, but you may want to check into taking things one step further and remove all simple carbs from your diet. Insulin swings do terrible things to your body. Since removing simple carbs, other than a weekly cheat, my health has sky-rocketed in a number of ways: lower weight, lower body-fat, lower colesterol, lower triglycerides….
Dan @ ZenPresence
By this do you mean you gave up fruits and veg, and stick to tubers, grains, beans, etc?
I think it’s so interesting how different we are. I was vegan for several years (whole foods), and I did get fit/lean/healthy, but then it shifted as my cholesterol got too low. From that, I learned that dairy and i do not agree, so I went back to eggs. I was still healthy (in fact, healthier), but I started to get pudgy.
My husband went to a naturopath for some health issues who recommended grain free to him, and so we went paleo together. What a huge difference that made! Within a couple of weeks, my life-long stomach issues cleared up, I went from 22% to 19% body fat, and had a lot more energy and vibrancy.
It’s also a sugar free diet and “low carb” technically — but we eat a lot of veggies (per volume, veggies are what we mostly eat, but per calories, it’s actually fat, mostly in the form of good vegetable oils like olive and coconut). Amazing, really. :)
I love how we are all different and find good health in a lot of ways. :)
Dear Kimberly
Your message resonated with me today. You sound like a strong woman and your resolve and grace to always move forward reminds me to not get “stuck” too.
Wishing you a happy day!
Great write up, Kimberly. You sound like you’re a very motivated and determined person – good for you!
Thanks, Dan.
The more research I do on diet, the more conflicting info I find on carbs. I do know that potatoes, rice and corn are staples for some of the healthiest civilations throughout history – so I’m not quite ready to give them up just yet. I have cut out all processed foods, though. And now only eat whole foods, no meat and drink only water and tea. Of course, I’m always oper to new ideas. Good luck with your own health journey!
Kim
Thanks for your inspiring story, Kimberly. It resonates with me and I commend your efforts to steer your life in the direction that is making you the happiest. I have flirted with the notion of cutting out sugar from my diet but…(fill in excuse here)…so I’m looking forward to checking out your blog to read more.
I can definitely identify with your journey. It’s amazing how sometimes you need to hear someone else say something before you can acknowledge that it has been true all along.
Thanks so much for sharing!
I have been trying to cut out refined sugar for YEARS but have never managed it – addictive stuff isn’t it… Greatest respect to you for managing this!
I’m happy you beat cancer and came away the better for it. I struggle with refined sugar as well. I know life would be sweeter without it, but alas it’s my kyptonite. I too believe that we never master minimalism. It takes different forms as our life changes. Thanks for sharing your story. To good health for us all!
Kim,
Thank you for sharing your stories. As someone who recently committed to minimalism and is trying to renew her life, you story is very inspiring. Like other readers, I too am trying to kick my refined sugar habit for good. It’s my go-to when I’m stressed out.
I just checked out your blog and will make it one of my reading list.
-KF
I certainly can understand your journey. I moved from my home in Oregon in 2010 to help care for my sister who had brain tumors that left her deaf and a balance issue. The next year, out mother was diagnosed with cancer. My sister and I took care of our mother with her battle during this time and she passed in July. 12 days later I lost my 13-year-old Boston Terrier and was devasted further still. Though I have continually downsized my homes, now living in a studio. I still have stuff. A lot more than I thought I would. I am not where I had hoped to be with stuff, I still enjoy crafting and with all the emotions of loss of loved ones, still have too many things that are “memories”. I work on my wardrobe constantly, and my things as well. I used to have a box that I continually tried to find things to put in for Goodwill. I think I will go back to doing that. I feel sort of unsettled at this point and not sure of what I will do now. I would love to rid myself of more things, figure out a minimal wardrobe, and find some healing from the grief. It will come, and I will embrace it when it does. I am so happy you beat your battle with cancer and I hope that you find health in foods, and content in life. Best wishes!
Be good to yourself Kym. It sounds like you’ve been through a sad time. Don’t berate yourself about having too much stuff. When the time is right you’ll let things go. I lost my dad when I was very young and I have a few things that were special to him – his bandana, a notebook with random notes (a packing list for a camping trip). I’m not ready to toss them, and that’s fine by me. Best wishes, Jess
Great story! Thanks for sharing it.
Thank you Kimberley and thank you Miss Minimalist for a poignant story.
I just love your blog name – so fitting for your story.
Good luck with your journey and I shall enjoy following it on Simply Superkim :)
Thank you for sharing! Ovarian cancer is scary, and I’m glad you’re healthy now!
We’re sugar-free as well, and have been for a few years (with occasional backsliding, of course…). My daughter has GERD, and a low glycemic diet keeps her symptom-free.
I’ll definitely be checking out your blog. ;-)
Thank you for all the wonderful comments!
For anyone who is struggling with the refined sugar thing – remember, it’s mostly in your head. Stop telling yourself you can’t. Once you change that internal dialogue, everything else will change too. Yes, the first couple weeks are hard, but after that it’s becomes a habit. Tell yourself you can do it and you can.
And for everyone still trying to get rid of the stuff – as long as you’re moving forward, it doesn’t matter how long it takes. It’s not a race, it’s a path. Don’t compare yourself to others, you’re not them. Just keep making progress and enjoy the journey.
You all are an inspiration to me, thank you. :-)
Kim
Bravo on cutting out sugar. That is tough to execute. You may enjoy this blog: http://www.eatingrules.com/ Every October they have an Unprocessed October challeenge. I realize it is now November and the challenge is over, but there are some great posts on here, as well as recipes and a list of pantry staples. I’m not vegan (and I bake my own bread using (gasp) some white flour), so I am not hard-core, but here you don’t need to be.
There is nothing wrong with speed dating.
I wish you the best. What steps you take are always better than junk food. I find that trying to remove clutter extends to all areas of my life. Simplify,simplify.
As I remove clutter, I often find more to remove. I found some things behind clutter I recycled just the other day. I am also trying to find more to give away. When I have finished, there will be more space everywhere. When I was young, I thought I would spend my retirement doing crafts and instead I am doing a lot of volunteer work and doing crafts with young children. I am happy my children live very close and I see them all the time.
I have IBS and have been avoiding certain foods, then I read a book at the library with a more extensive list of foods to avoid and I’m feeling much better. Research is a wonderful thing.