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, Sacha reminds us that even if you don’t consider yourself a “minimalist,” paring down and simplifying your life can bring much peace and happiness.
Sacha writes:
I have never been and will never be a minimalist. As a child I firmly believed that 10 ten cent coins were more than a guilder, I can always find a new use for anything and as a child of a former antiques dealer, my heart flutters when looking at a beautifully made article from the 1920s. There is something about Art Deco that tickles my greedy…. o well…. you get the picture, I’m sure!
I am also not a pack rat or hoarder, thank God… I just had a lot of things. When I decided to move house and relocate to a different part of the Netherlands, I walked through my house every day and asked myself “are you going to take this with you to your new house?” I was surprised to hear myself say “no” to many things. I sold most of my furniture, antiques and collectables over the course of a year. During that year I chose not to buy much apart from food and saved the money and a big part of my regular income so I could use it to lower my future mortgage.
I also looked at my clothes… many went to goodwill or were used as rags. All shoes which were uncomfortable also went in the goodwill bag. I (and most certainly the boxes) felt lighter by doing that. Still, I do own some items that I hardly wear, but I smile when I see them, so they are staying (for now). Maybe they won’t survive a future decluttering round, but who knows.
I didn’t know this, but this was just the start… and the easy part. I also started to declutter in another area and stumbled across something well hidden. No stroke of genius, but completely by accident.
Maybe you guys know a tv show called Doomsday Preppers… my personal doomsday would be the day I might lose my job (which hasn’t actually happened) and I was afraid I might not have enough money to buy food. Well… suffice to say: the kitchen cupboard doors could be closed… but only just.
When I decided to move, I also decided to put an end to this whole doomsday idea and stop being afraid of what might happen…. and bought a house with space for a vegetable garden. That way I could be a producer instead of a consumer and as far as I know vegetables have no idea how much money you have in your bank account, they just need enough sun and rain. They grow and I eat them… it is simple, really.
My kitchen cupboards started to empty and I found out I have everything I need for healthy meals without running to the shops every other day. With my vegetable garden I manage to have a steady supply of fresh greens during summer and autumn, in autumn I also have loads of fruits and my two beautiful little ladies give me a steady supply of eggs during most of the year… I have rediscovered preserving food (as a child of the 1970s I grew up with that) and I make candied tomatoes, jams, chutneys, pickles and sauces to give away as presents and to eat with my home made breads. Unfortunately, last year my grape vines had an enormous yield of about 20 grapes, so home made wine is out of the question for now.
To my own surprise I am discovering that I need less and less stuff and food and that I feel good about that. I am enjoying the Good Life (look it up on YouTube) and getting re-acquainted with my happy hippy inner child again when picking my salad greens and I can share this good life and good food with friends and neighbours. I am taking my life in my own hands again because I am stepping back from the rat race and buying stuff to silence the nagging feeling of “what-if”. Who would have guessed?
{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.}
What an inspiring read – thank you for sharing, Sacha! I love The Good Life (it is probably my all-time favourite TV series), but unfortunately I have neither a garden nor window sills where I live at the moment. (Still, there is a weekly market where the local allotment holders sell their surplus produce at very reasonable prices.) I’ve always loved hens too, there is something so very relaxing about watching happy hens rooting about in the soil – and then there is the bonus of the eggs, of course! It really sounds like you are living the good life – well done you for creating it!
Thank you! I started with a similar house. But there are small things you can start with to start The Good Life for yourself :-)
I love plants indoors and when one would go ‘belly-up’ I would replace it with an edible plant. I had a small orange tree (1ft high) and a small bay tree in containers in my living room. It was mostly just for fun.
I did hunt for good produce at markets and shops… When there is a surplus of a certain product the prices go down and it is more economical to make loads of candied tomatoes. So, I get very excited about ‘your’ local allotment holders… they are a great resource to have!
What a wonderful story and a very GOOD LIFE. Thank you so much for sharing! I feel inspired to simplify.
Wow, thank you! Go for it ;-)
Nice work here! The application of your life changes can have meaning in many avenues of life. I have my own list of doomsday fears and releasing and channeling elsewhere is much more productive! We just purchased a new downsized home, but there’s plenty of room for a garden. After reading your post, it will be a top priority! Stop the ‘what if’s”!
I am glad I am not the only ‘weirdo’ around with these ideas, LOL
The moment I started to rip out the lawn and replace it with four beds, my mind started to slow down and enjoy the pace of the plants… literally watching the grass grow ;-) just start with the things you REALLY love (me: all types of berries) and try some weird things (me: cavolo nero) that might really be an even bigger hit.
I must add that I use the term ‘weirdo’ in the most loving and caring way and in no way want to insult anyone!
I am actually a bit proud to be a bit stranger than the people around me. Keeping up with the Joneses? Nah… let the Joneses keep up with me!
Sasha, you are a woman after my own heart and a mentor for keeping me on track!
My husband and I just sold our semi-rural 3,000 sq. ft. family home of 17 years, and moved in town to an 1,100 sq. ft. bungalow with just enough space and sun for a future vegetable garden. We are currently swamped by a household of items to sort and get rid of and a few to-do lists, but plan to have a veggie garden once again beginning next spring. We LOVE the shake up this move has given to our lives and very much look forward to being finished with the purging and on with the feeling of lightness it will give us.
Thanks for your story and best wishes for continued happiness to you!
Wow… a mentor? .. really? …Wow..
That is a major bonus while just writing this for fun. I am very happy that my own crazy ideas can inspire others half way across the globe.
You can start slow with the garden… I reused some left over timber from the house in the veggie garden to make the beds. The first year I only had strawberries in one bed and a crazy salad mix in another. Just don’t try to do the whole garden at once. When you start slow, it is easier to manage while working on the house and purging things. You can also add veggies to a normal flower border… put a tomato somewhere and some chives and maybe a cucumber on a trellis screen. It really works well and the other plants hide the veggies from predators.
Yes, slowing down and planning is the way to go, thanks. Looking forward to our own veggies again one day. :-)
The simpler life is the good life I agree. I was just writing letters today with a pen on paper and thinking – how simple, how lovely!
Hey, I started to write letters again as well. It is very satisfying to sit at a table, collect your thoughts and start writing. I must say that the quality of my hand writing has improved again as well LOL
“Getting re-acquainted with my happy hippy inner child again” LOVE IT!!!!
Yeah… she got lost for a while, but thankfully I finally listened to what I wanted and she needed.
To every reader: thank you for your time to read my simple story.
To everyone that replied: thank you so much for your kind and uplifting comments!
It is a privilege to share this part of my life journey with you.
love it! this is what it’s all about! :)
Thank you Jane!
I really want to thank you for sharing your story. What an inspiration! We all have so much more than we really need. Too many things, but not enough time, fun, friends, etc. I would very much like to follow your example.
Wow, I never would have guessed that my lifestyle could be an example to anyone! Thank you for the compliment.
By all means: use my story as a starting point to simplify your life and to maximize the good life full of friends, family, healthy food and fun!
I haven’t had much luck with vegetables, but I grow houseplants and my friend sells the rooted cuttings in margarine containers at garage sales and makes some extra money. I have done well with jade plants, schefflera and Swedish ivy especially. I also made some dish gardens as gifts using dishes from the Goodwill or rummage sales.
Well, if you at first don’t succeed… well done for finding a niche market!
I woke up this morning and had a panic attack. I had overslept and not taken my anxiety meds. I do not work and have simplified my life so that I only have 1 or 2 things to do each day. Most of us have enough food for two weeks in our houses and I’ve read about people putting away enough for two or three years.
I very seldom buy anything new. I failed a cheapskate test because I only buy 6 rolls of toilet paper at a time and I keep a month’s dried beans, rice and pasta instead of an extra freezer. I don’t see any reason to have more than 2 sets of sheets for each bed. I eat a lot of egg whites and give my cats the yolks. They enjoy them.
in my eyes, you didn’t fail the cheapskate test, you passed the minimalisttest with flyig colours. Well done to you
A cousin who is a cardiologist told me not to drink sugar sweetened beverages. Since I usually drink tap water, I wasn’t troubled. I was at the grocery store and watched a woman with young children filling her cart with chips and cookies and candy. I stifled my urge to educate her.
I have been donating most of my craft supplies to our local food pantry. The people who come with little kids can keep them entertained during this cold weather. I have been so fortunate with people giving me so much.