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 lovely contribution from Belle. Her recent marriage inspired her to declutter, and she details for us the progress she’s made in her quest for a simpler life.
Belle writes:
Photo by Belle
I wouldn’t be considered a minimalist by most people’s standards. I enjoy owning books, nail polish, and little knickknacks I pick up at thrift stores. I dislike traveling and have no desire to live out of a suitcase. But I do love to declutter, clean, and organize – and I always have.
It wasn’t until I recently got married that I got bitten by the minimalist bug. After moving in with my husband, I threw myself into organizing our apartment and making everything look just right. The problem was that although we had room for all our stuff, I wasn’t happy with the way I felt when I had to look for something. I often searched through decorative box after decorative box just to find a pair of scissors. That’s when I decided to declutter in earnest. I had a desire to live a simpler life with less stuff, so I could focus more on the things that really mattered – my relationship with God, my husband, and our future family.
Luckily, I already lived minimally in some ways. I had never worn a lot of makeup – I own 1 mascara, 1 bottle of foundation, 1 pressed powder, and 2 different colored eyeshadows. I also don’t own a hair straightener, curler, or blow dryer, and I never color my hair. It wasn’t until I started reading about minimalism that I discovered I was already a minimalist in these aspects. My only weakness is nail polish – but I limit myself to only owning 15-20 polishes at any given time.
It’s been a couple of weeks since I started purging and I’ve made a lot of progress. I was ruthless with my book collection, only keeping around 100 of my absolute favorites and some I have yet to read (I know it sounds like a lot, but for an avid reader like me it’s the bare minimum!). I went through my closet and got rid of everything I wasn’t comfortable wearing or knew I didn’t really need. I helped my husband pare down his ties and dress shirts, which had previously been packed tightly into his closet. I managed to let go of sentimental and valuable items that I had kept for so long, but finally realized I would never use. More than anything, this journey has taught me to live in the present, not the past (“but it was a gift!”) or the future (“I might need it someday”).
It feels great to be on track to a simpler life. I constantly have a pile of things to donate to Goodwill, and I must say, it feels great to go there to get rid of stuff rather than spend money. Although I love thrift shopping, I remind myself that it keeps me from having the lifestyle I really want. Blogs like missminimalist.com and theminimalists.com have also helped me get rid of more stuff. I love reading other people’s stories and I hope my own can inspire someone out there!
{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.}
Belle, you’ve certainly inspired me! I read your post while taking a break from my clutter mountain; I was flagging but now I’m rearing to go again so thank you!
I also identified with your minimalist makeup bag. I too have the bare minimum and also never colour my hair. Good to know we’re minimalists in one area!
Thanks for sharing your story; I really enjoyed reading it.
Helen :)
You go Belle!! I always have a bag started for Goodwill too :)
I love the nail polish and books guilty pleasure thing :) I, too, have some things like that which I just can’t and don’t want to give up. But I’m using that as an example when I’m explaining minimalism to people. It’s not about throwing out everything but about keeping whatever you need and like and nothing more. You can have 20 nail polishes when you love them and are using them, that’s perfectly minimalistic as well :)
I can understand about the books because I too had difficulty getting rid of some. I’ve moved so many times that I got tired of packing and carting them and thought about what I could have done with the money had I stopped buying and just borrowed from the library. Also, you may want to reconsider the nail polish as they contain toluene, formaldehyde, nitrocellulose and dibutyl phthalate — all carcinogenic.
What a great post! I completely identify with being a minimalist in some areas (makeup and hair products) but I hold onto things related to the past or the future. Belle’s story is a good push for me to start focusing on the present!
Belle, you have a wonderful life and I am so very happy for you. Indeed true minimalism is unique to each individual and not a cookie cutter image. I also have lots of books and collect National geographic magazines. We can have/do these things that bring us joy and beauty without sacrificing open cleanness. Enjoy your polish and books smile and love your day. You have brought a smile to mine.
Thank you all for your kind comments! :) Since my original post I’ve simplified a lot more; my wardrobe is around half the size I started out with, I’ve let go of a lot more odds and ends (kitchenware, jewelry, decorative items, even a few nail polishes), and I’ve started going to the library instead of buying all my books. Even some of my family members have been inspired to declutter after hearing me talk about it so much… and I knew I was on the right track when a friend came over and commented on how jealous he was of our clear kitchen countertop!
I look forward to hearing from another “real life minimalist” every Monday. Keep going strong, fellow minimalists!
I too love thrift stores but like having a simpler lifestyle. What I’ve found after years of thrifting (started in middle school) is that it’s just as much fun to browse and get a kick out of random/kitschy/outrageous things you find as it is to own those things–sort of the “museum visit” approach to vintage and thrift. It also helps me enjoy thrift stores without necessarily buying if I have a list in the back of my mind of the 2 or 3 things I actually DO want to thrift–a decent pair of maternity pants, a silverware drawer insert–so that I have a filter for what comes home with me. Thrifting means it can take a while to find exactly what you’re looking for, but for me that translates to 4-5 fun/scouting visits to Goodwill for every 1 or 2 items I buy that I actually “need.” All the fun of thrift discoveries with much less of the accumulating possessions!
I liked your article. I collect houseplants and give away cuttings. We live in a condo.
My kids are grown and we always passed clothes down and got clothes from other people. We very seldom got anything new. We use so little that I resist the temptation to stock up because I like to see the drawers and cupboards about 1/2 full.
When I go thrifting, I buy the grandchildren books. I inherited several sets of china and just kept the salt and pepper shakers or cream and sugars. I enjoy decluttering and often ask other people if they want help.
Hi, Belle. A very intersting read, thank you. Yes – if you ENJOY something, then I would never feel the need to declutter it. For example, for years I always wanted a pair of Staffordshire dog ornaments: I loved the way they looked, their history, etc, but could never afford them. One day, I came across a pair at an antique fair that I could afford and I have never regretted buying them. They are the only ornaments in my lounge, but they give me so pleasuer that I would never dream of parting with them.
For those who can’t get rid of their books, you might try rediscovering your public library. I work at the public library in my area and the most frequent users are those who just read so much, but couldn’t keep the books that they read in their houses. Literally, they would need an extra room or storage area for the massive amount of books they read. You will also find that you spend less money on purchasing books if you make a trip to the library a habit. As a librarian who loves books, people are often surprised to find out I only own a collection of about 25 books in a tiny corner bookshelf. Additionally, even the strongest traditionalists are enjoying ebooks which might suit your minimalist lifestyle much better. Most libraries in big cities will loan ebooks to your Kindle, Nook, or Kobo. It’s way easier than you think!
My library here in Illinois has gotten books for me from Canada and Australia. I think inter library loan is wonderful. They also subscribe to a lot of foreign magazines and niche magazines so I don’t have to. If I find an article I really want to keep, I can always make a copy. I used to own a lot of books but now I have maybe 20.
I am putting my houseplants on my balcony for the summer. They get huge, then I take cuttings and pass them on -minimalist gifts. I went through my jewelry and found 2 small boxes of pins and bracelets to give away. I will dig deeper and deeper into my closet floor, that’s a project for this weekend.
I had bought some jewelry and have a bag full of stuff for Goodwill. I found a craft pattern in one of my books which was just what I needed. I made 2 copies for friends. I sorted through a friend’s pile of catalogs and put 3 in the recycling. I showed her she had newer ones. Now I am finding more books to give away.
I have very few clothes. I wear the same things over and over. As long as I can remember I’ve had no interest in clothes. Mostly, I wear black pants or blue jeans with solid color shirts and a sweater. If it is very cold, I wear a heavy sweater or sweatshirt under my jacket. I dress in layers and have dressed like this for maybe 30 or 40 years. If we are going to a wedding, I wear a black dress and flats and a big scarf or shawl.