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, Freda tells us about living the simple life as a painter in Scotland. Be sure to visit her blog to read more, and see her lovely artwork and photos.
Freda writes:
I am an artist trying to live a more simple life (but not too simple!)
I think it is possible to live simply and also be design conscious, love beautiful and sophisticated things and still be ethical and environmentally responsible. What I’m saying is that I’m not a brown rice and sandals and back to the land minimalist, though I admire those who are. And I’m not a count the number of things I own type either, yet I have cut down and am still cutting down…. Neither am I set on the frugal path though I believe thrift is in my DNA.
So what kind of minimalist am I?
Well I try to live simply in order to have more time and energy to Simply Live, mindfully. I live in a modest wooden house by a sea loch in Scotland. I now have fewer, better things which I love and which last. I spend a lot of time choosing then keep things for a long, long time. I know what I like – modern classics – and am willing to wait, for years if necessary, for the right thing to come along. I don’t mind too much if things get a bit worn, but I have just replaced my 20 year old white cotton curtains with the moth holes in them! So with a house furnished with beautiful, though not necessarily expensive things which look good and function well and are easy to look after I can concentrate on living my life to the full with time for family, friends, travel and work I love. (I am a painter.)
I began my blog Live Simply Simply Live in order to think through aspects of my life which I could simplify – how I eat, work, play and spend my money, and I found that writing short posts under each topic helped me to think more clearly, and make changes at a realistic pace. I’ve been writing the daily blog and simplifying my life for four years now and I love it. Researching other blogs on the topics of minimalism (thank you Miss Minimalist) and simple living and getting insightful and encouraging comments from readers had been wonderfully enriching in the things that matter – communication and connection and sharing.
Simply joyous.
{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.}
So pleased to see Freda featured :)
Ahhh my friend, so lovely to see your wonderful words featured Freda! I love Miss Minimalist’s generosity in continuing this series and just celebrated 2 years since I was featured here too. From that I have gained treasured comments and friendship – looking at you too M if you read this. Much love and support Freda, from your Australian cheer squad! x
What a lovely blog. You are quite quietly getting on with living your life. Look forward to reading more of your blog.
I agree – lovely photos on your blog. The “simple living” movement is large enough, I hope, for all kinds, from strict item-counting minimalists to global nomads, to RV travelers, down-sizers, tiny-housers, urban homesteaders, back-to-the-land small farmers, country dwellers, everyone making adjustments in suburbia, and everything in between. Including a lovely Scottish sea loch, too.
What a difference accessing and appreciating nature’s beauty around us can make in our ability letting go. I wish more people had that opportunity.
*In our ability TO let go. *sheepish error*
I love your kind of simplicity, Freda! I am so envious of you, living in Scotland by a sea loch! Lovely photos on your blog… have a wonderful day!
I was so glad to read your essay. Minimalism embraces a lot of subgroups. I grow zucchini and flowers on my condo balcony. My neighbor who considers herself a minimalist is very neat and only collects certain things and has a Spartan eye for clothing. It is always better to be inclusive than exclusive.
That red gate is so inviting, it has a quiet elegance but firm existence. Thanks for sharing your story.
Thanks for referring us to Freda’s blog. Soooo many minimalist blogs are strident or preachy.
Her blog is like reading pithy fresh air.
Thank you all for your considered and kind comments – I feel I have made new friends! Thank you Miss M for the opportunity – your blog is an ongoing inspiration.
Keep up the good work Freda! I’m picturing a painting, perhaps a two canvas painting. On one canvas there is a man or woman with overwhelming stuff, emotions, and issues because he/she has let life become too cluttered and complicated. The other canvas shows a man or woman who is at peace with the world because he/she has unlocked a great key to happiness: simplicity!
Beautiful! I love your blog Freda–wonderful pictures, what a beautiful life you are living. Looking forward to reading more of your site, what an inspiration!
I would love to be a “count your things” minimalist. As it is, I have little and I am giving away more every week. I have some cups I am going to give to the crafters at our local museum to see if they can make something with them. I really feel we all have way more than we need of some things and there are families that could use the help.
Still passing on art supplies. I never realized I had so much until I started to select what I was going to keep.
I have been going through my art books and magazines–most were give away or second hand– to find what I really want to keep. Luckily, winter is almost over and this has not been a very bad one so far. I took a walk to see the buds on branches in the neighborhood.
I make art more often because I pared down my supplies. I only kept the things I used the most.