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 excited to introduce you to Haley—she and her family have embraced minimalism to embark on a yearlong RV trip. I’m looking forward to following her adventures on her blog!
Haley writes:
Nearly three years ago, with our second child on the way, my husband and I finally moved out of our small condo in Atlanta and into our 2,500-square-foot house in suburbia. It was just what I had always wanted–a great house with room to grow in a kid-friendly neighborhood. We welcomed our third child in this house, which allowed all three of my kids to have separate bedrooms and plenty of space to spread out.
Then in summer 2015, my husband mentioned a radical idea to me before bed one night. He said, “Let’s sell our house, buy an RV and go on a year-long cross-country road trip together.” I spent half that night stunned awake by this crazy idea, which was basically the opposite of the life we were living. But after a few days, I realized the greatness of this opportunity and concluded I didn’t need that misconstrued safety net of stuff or space. All I needed was my people.
Since last summer, I’ve embraced minimalism in preparation for our trip and become quite addicted to getting rid of all that extra stuff that we really don’t need. We’ve donated loads of toys, clothing and household items. We’ve trashed broken toys, worn out items and unneeded paper files. We’ve sold my husband’s business, his motorcycle and duplicate appliances. Our closets no longer hide all our accumulated stuff, but store frequently used functional items. And even though we will soon move out of our house, it’s finally feeling like a home that’s manageable, aesthetically pleasing and functional.
Once our house sells this spring, we will purchase an RV and hit the road for a year until it’s time for my oldest child to begin Kindergarten. This year on the road means we will live with less stuff in less space on less money. But less will give way to more when it yields adventure, family time, freedom and a daily life spent outdoors.
So, this is the year we focus on family. This is the year we parent as equals. This is the year we unschool for Pre-K. This is the year we explore the natural sights of this country, side by side. This is the year of crazy togetherness, where we rely on each other instead of the stuff that surrounds us.
Minimalism isn’t necessarily an easy or intuitive journey–at least not at first. Often, I have to remind myself that I don’t actually need something; I just want it. And because society says that I should have what I want, it’s been quite an internal battle refocusing my want desires into something less tangible with more longevity. This RV adventure is my newfound focus. It’s a chance for my family to reap the many rewards of minimalism and for my husband and I to set an actionable example for our kids.
To follow along on our adventure, visit www.hobsonhomestead.com.
{If you’d like to learn more about minimalist living, please consider reading my book, The Joy of Less, A Minimalist Living Guide, or joining my email list.}
Really nice story and so true! Some people need a project to focus on to start minimalism. I am this kind of person, but I still don’t have found my project to focus on. I have been thinking about minimalism for years now, and started to declutter (selling books I will never read again, sorting unworn clothes, donating decorating items, and so on) but I still buy some unnecessary stuff because I let the society influence myself (I know I’m weak). And our 700sq-ft apartment is always so messy. Maybe one day I will find my project and I will be able to start my real journey to minimalism.
Hi Mariesa, I also considered minimalism for a long time before really getting started. Last year, I began working through my things following Marie Kondo’s method. Previously I would overthink things, and spend time and energy debating whether to discard each item. I found decluttering exhausting and it seemed like a chore. Now, I’m learning to listen to my intuition about which items really add value to my life. It’s worked out really well so far, and my home is a much nicer place to live. Perhaps, when you do make progress with your clutter, you will have a clearer idea of what projects you might enjoy in the future.
I used to be the same way for years. What REALLY helped me stop buying unnecessary items was keeping a tally of how much money I spent for one month. Didn’t matter if it was a necessity or not I wrote it down anyway. I wrote everything from groceries to clothes to Starbucks to vending machine snacks. After one month I was shocked! So I did it again for month 2, month 3, etc.
Seeing the numbers on paper is an eye opener. At the end of month 1 I could see a compulsive shopping pattern and what needed work. For month 2 I was more aware and focused on changing habits by changing my *thinking*. For month 3 I began to feel focused, confident and proud of how much money I’d saved.
Now I spend on true necessities and give myself a small allowance per month for fun activities. I’ve learned a lot about myself in the process and feel great. Try writing everything down for a month. If that seems like a lot then try 1 week. It only takes a few minutes each day. My daughter would say “I don’t have time for that!” but I’d be quick to remind her “Oh, but you have almost an hour each day to spend on social media.” LOL! Simply put.. if it’s important to you, you’ll find a way. If not, you’ll just find an excuse.
I really like Lora’s comment. Similar to her lists of money spent, I make lists of all I own. After reading Bethany’s post last week, I added the words “use” “never use” “want to use” or “will use immediately” next to every item on my list. Throwing out the “want to use” and “never use” items makes my home even more “manageable, aesthetically pleasing, and functional,” as Haley mentioned, but it also allows “making room to move freely, think clearly, and open ourselves to the beauty and wonder of life,” as Miss Minimalist encourages.
Thanks, Miss Minimalist–Love your books! And thanks for your inspiring post, Haley! You will have a year you will never forget or regret!
I also find lists to be wonderful for staying on track. I started my minimalist journey like Lora, writing down every expenditure. And Kathie, I love how you add “use” “never use” “want to use” or “will use immediately” to your possessions list!
: )
Whatever brings you to reject the idea that you “must have” a certain object is a good idea. I noticed a number of women wearing lime colored scarves, sweaters, blouses,etc. I looked and found a necklace I had made out of a broken bracelet with lime colored beads. I wore my regular outfit of black and gray and used my one of a kind necklace. Anyone can string beads.
My DH looked at his closet and said he had too many clothes. For 45 years, I’ve told him he has too many T shirts, too many sweaters, and lots of things I’ve never seen him wear or use.
I have 6 T shirts, plus the ratty ones I wear under sweatshirts—4–and 3 to sleep in. He has 30. I have 5 nice shirts for dressy occasions, he has 12 nice polo shirts and his dress shirts to wear with a tie. I have 4 nice sweaters, he has ten plus a bunch of sport coats. We have an empty closet in the guest bedroom. He wants to put some clothes in there. His closet is double rodded, mine isn’t. His parents had racks and racks of clothes all over the house. My mother hoarded everything.
A friend who has bragged that he has 100 shirts just said he got a new closet organizing system from the Container Store. I keep getting rid of things I don’t need or use. I watch people travel with huge suitcases for short trips. We are going to Florida for 2 weeks in January. I will take a carry- on and a small tote bag. On shorter trips, I have a tiny suitcase and a small tote bag. I saw a young woman with a huge suitcase at the airport. She was visiting Chicago for 3 days but was worried she’d forget something.
After 20 years on her own, my daughter is moving in with us so she can get caught up on her bills and save some money. I said she had to get rid of 60 to 80% of her stuff. She has emptied big boxes of clothing,books, linens, and dishes. She sold 6 huge bags of books because we live next to a public library.