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, I’m happy to feature Daisy Chain. She shares with us both the inspiration behind her minimalist journey, and the steps she’s taken to simplify her life.
Daisy Chain writes:
Growing up I wouldn’t have described myself as minimalist – like lots of girls I collected fancy papers, smelly soaps, postcards, cuddly toys etc. I was neat and tidy but I loved my stuff. But at some point stuff started to stress me out. Weirdly it started with toiletries/cosmetics and music. Receiving and owning fancy creams etc. made me feel bad because I am very low maintenance and I felt guilty for not using them but just couldn’t make myself do it! As a teenager, the music you were into defined who you were, so I would get stressed about buying CDs. What did owning this CD say about me?! This all sounds pretty strange but I think it just meant that I was starting to disengage from the concept of my stuff defining me.
Last summer was a particular turning point when I realised that there is practically nothing that I own that I would be really sorry to see go. I like lots of things I own but really don’t have much attachment to them.
Three things in particular stand out: First, my mum decided to distribute the items she had kept from her mother among the grandchildren and while my first reaction was to take it all, this was quickly followed by a decision to just take some practical items that I know I will use (the big mixing bowl and the cake decorating set!!). Secondly, I went through all my old photos and kept only a couple from each holiday/event to prompt the memories of the event and who was there – I don’t need every single picture.
But the biggest step was when I re-read all the letters I had received from friends from the mid-eighties to the mid-nineties, with the intention of throwing them away afterwards. They brought back so many memories and I had some laughs and shed some tears. But I realised that those letters told the story of the life of the writer, not my story, so I gave them back to the person to whom they really belonged. I’m kind of hoping that they don’t return the favour!
My home is still far from bare thanks to my husband and daughters but that’s ok – it’s a work in progress – they are slowly getting the message that I am much happier when I am not falling over things on my way around the house and when I can start on a job without clearing a load of stuff out of the way first. And, to paraphrase – when momma is happy, everyone’s happy! My husband teases me that I can’t be a minimalist when I say I don’t like the bareness of the homes you see in Scandinavian dramas, but I think a bit of colour can be introduced in furnishings, curtains, pictures etc without cluttering up the surfaces of a home. It’s all about what works for each person.
I just want to share one other thing with you all – I was listening to the soundtrack of the movie ‘Into the Wild’ recently. It is about a man called Christopher McCandless, who really did try to live the ultimate minimalist lifestyle. But what caught my attention was the lyrics to the song ‘Society’. It seems to me to be an anthem for the minimalist movement. I would love you to have a listen to it on youtube and tell me what you think.
The more people who can be happy with less, the better chance there is for this small planet of ours.
Thank you to all my fellow minimalists, every week I am reassured that it’s not just me who thinks this way!
{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.}
I can relate, Daisy Chain – I used to collect lots of stuff as a child, from erasers to napkins (yes, really!). I also had lots of old toys, as my sister and I inherited my mother’s Barbie dolls (incl. clothing) and Lego, and tons of porcelain figurines, which seemed to be the standard birthday and Christmas present for a young girl back then. I started feeling swamped by stuff when I became a teenager, but felt so guilty about getting rid of stuff that people had given me that I would usually try to convince my sister to accept it before I even considered throwing it out, haha! Now, everything I own can fit in my van. I’ve also taken on the challenge to Buy Nothing New For A Year, but I’m only one week in, so we’ll see how it goes! ;-)
I, too, collected things as a child, but long ago left them behind. My life feels much lighter without so much stuff. I’m glad that yours does too.
I remember collecting tiny porcelain pitchers as a child. That ended before college. I have been collecting jewelry since my teens and still collect earrings and Native American silver jewelry. There is truly nothing I need or want so the kids buy us movie passes.
Oh the CD thing made me laugh. I definitely had that problem as a teen, I bought so many CDs I didn’t even like to’ make the right image.’
What a beautiful note !
Into the Wild is a wonderfully sad story and I adore that man. And the song, is by Eddie Vedder. Its a masterpiece. Reading this post made me go back and read the lyrics. Its so much more than I thought.
Thanks for sharing. Your story is endearing.
Thanks for listening Archana, I think the message sinks in even more for being sung in Eddie Vedder’s beautiful voice!
I just listened to the song “Society” and like you said, it seems to be an anthem for the minimalist movement.
I had about 300 CDs some time ago. Now I have about 120. I have 22 from my favorite Spanish music singer, Luis Miguel. I know I could record them to my computer but I just can’t let go!
Thanks for listening, Lilly. Luis Miguel must be really good!!
I definitely identified with feeling uncomfortable about being given a load of cosmetics. And the comment about feeling anxious about what owning a particular CD would say about you! But how to head off the gifts in the first place…??
Hi Claire, I’m still working on that myself! My close family have kindly agreed to give me things that I use, e.g.vouchers for a facial / massage or my favourite clothes shops or my burts bees lip balms (not cheap!!!). Francine has written on this subject but it’s a bit of a minefield!!! Hope you find a way that works for you ?
I have things to take back to the library. And another few magazines to give away. I bought a new purse 2 years ago and never used it. I will give my old purse to my mom. I also have a few platters to give away, we haven’t used them in years. There is always something we don’t need around here.
Thank you for “Into the wild” soundtrack suggestion. It’s a good one. As is the movie. Something struck some hidden chords in me after watching it.
4 and a half years into minimalism it is still exciting. Even though my personal posessions fit into a cubic meter of space i still discover false notions in my thinking about what i do and don’t need to live a meaningful life.
I lovet hat you mentioned the song “Society”, that song has ment so much to me. I never thought of it as a minimalist song, nut now that you point it out I can really see it!
When it comes to not liking the bare, Scandinavian style it totally agree with you, even as I am a Scandinavian. I love chandeliers and ornamented furniture, not typical minimalist stuff. But I realize as I remove the excess those beautiful pieces shine more clearly. What is minimalism if not a way to remove the noise so we can better see beauty?
I can always find something for my weekly give away bag. This time, I found some stuffed animals on the floor of my closet and some more flower pots. I also filled a bag for the food pantry. And yet there is still more craft material and there are still more dishes to go through.
There is so much that I have been given. So much to keep passing along. I will give away more books today.
We went to a July 4th party at the home of a minimalist. I brought a small picture of an encyclopedia crafted into a mountain range. I also brought a big glass bowl of cut up melon as the hosts were cooking out. I usually bring either fresh fruit or fresh vegetables because most people can eat them. I have clear glass bowls in 4 sizes and I have had them for years.