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, Ally shares her minimalist journey with us—from childhood to present, as she prepares to get married. I love how she limits her personal possessions to a suitcase, as I do the same!
Ally writes:
I have thought of writing a guest post on here for years but never got up the courage to do it until now, so if it’s a bit lengthy of a post bear with me please. :)
I grew up an only child in a large home. My parents kept it very neatly organized and while they have/had a lot of items, because of the organization and cleanliness, it never really felt “cluttered”. Being an only child I was spoiled and had an entire room devoted to toys in the home. As a child I didn’t have the awareness that this wasn’t “the norm”, however, when I was barely a teenager we had a sudden move overseas and I was fortunate enough to see a lot of the world and how it was quite different from my life I had in the states. I will be forever grateful to that experience as it changed my life profoundly. My parents did an inventory when they moved and I remember finding it interesting to make note of all your possessions.
Minimalism came into my life slowly at first then with rapid progress. In college for a semester I lived at home and at the dorms (switched back and forth) and I remember questioning why I had essentially two bedrooms and obviously whatever I thought was most important I kept with me in whatever bedroom I was staying in at the time. I slowly started to pare things down at that point but it wasn’t until after a bad relationship and going to grad school that the life changing Miss Minimalist website fell into my lap. Grad school will forever be a fond memory for me for that and I remember that night so well! Living in a small apartment (approx studio size) lounging around with my laptop I came across her site and WAS HOOKED. I mean I decluttered and donated like you wouldn’t believe, to the point that all of my personal items were in a backpack (I know that is not for everyone but to this day that was one of the best experiences ever for me personally and felt so freeing), also my furniture was rented with the complex so that made that easy as well since I didn’t “own it”. During that time, I remember feeling my blessings strongly and being so grateful for what many take for granted daily, such as a clean shower, food, water–grateful for the “basics” and necessities in life that many in other countries are not as fortunate to have, stripping away my belongings gave me the gift of realization.
When my grandma passed away, who was one of the most important people in my life, and we had to clean out her apartment, again minimalism came into my mind. I admit sentimental items are definitely the hardest to deal with though, as I struggled with what to keep of hers. I knew what was most important to her so that was easy but it was an eye opener to see her lifelong possessions and know she couldn’t take them with her and to decide if I wanted anything else of hers. That became one of my main drives in minimalism, which is why I prefer free time and relationships with loved ones opposed to “stuff” you can’t take with you, along with my religious upbringing which tends to refer to giving to others as frequently as you can, which also plays a significant role for me.
Fast forward approx 7 years and this minimalist is still going strong. ;) I strive to keep all my personal possessions in a carry on suitcase if possible, sometimes it can vary to a standard one, and declutter regularly. I declutter personal possessions, to kitchen items, digital decluttering (although I struggle downsizing pictures of my kitty, but who can ever get enough of those hehe), toiletries and makeup, you name it, I declutter! I will be married soon and while my fiance is not a minimalist at all, he definitely will declutter with some kind persuading and makes big progress. I don’t think he gets the incredibly wonderful “freeing” feeling I get donating items but at least is willing to declutter and I’m hopeful in the years to come he will make even more progress. One of my biggest goals is to instill my legacy of minimalism with my future kids and that the number one thing they will know mom for is donating items they no longer need to someone less fortunate than themselves. When my fiance and I get married we will be moving to a larger home to accommodate an eventual future family and more furchildren and even though we will have more space (which I will like as our one bedroom is a bit cramped), I intend to keep items that we need and love and not fill it with extra stuff because of more space (shudders at the thought hehe). I am like Miss Minimalist in that I love big, open, airy, white rooms, similar to hotels in some aspects!
Along with minimalism I have developed a love for being eco friendly and “zero waste” which is a new concept to me! I find these three go hand in hand pretty well so I am enjoying exploring those further! My biggest challenge with minimalism has come with still being a consumer. I tend to sometimes purchase things and then donate them shortly after, this is a bad habit of mine, and while yes someone gets something nice in the end, I could’ve saved more money in the long haul, so budgeting with minimalism is still a work in progress for me. I also try to do the 30 day want rule and if I want the item in 30 days I will purchase it. Also, because I have a lot of medicines I constantly struggle with a way to organize those (especially for travel) because they take up a HUGE part of my carry on, actually the majority and really it’s hard to downsize medicine (especially asthma since they have big containers), any ideas on help with that in containing or organizing them would be lovely and appreciated. :)
Overall, minimalism has big one of the biggest positive impacts in my life and my friends and family are accepting/at least understand it more now (thankfully), and I would recommend everyone dabble in it to some extent to at least try something new. It is a wonderful stress reliever for me and makes me feel so much lighter and happier, among the many well known benefits minimalists have already stated here in the past. Good luck decluttering everyone, let’s try to leave the planet a little bit happier and lighter in the process and thank you Miss Minimalist for changing my life in one of the most profound ways! :)
{If you’d like to learn more about minimalist living, please consider reading my book, The Joy of Less, or joining my email list.}
Thanks, Ally! I really enjoyed reading your story! It’s inspiring to hear someone who has committed to minimalism and really kept at it through different seasons of life (grad school, engagement, etc.). I totally get that “freeing” feeling of de-cluttering. It’s just so fun to get rid of stuff! Kudos to you and thanks for sharing!
Great post! One question on the medicines: have you ever tried natural alternatives to prescription ones? Our family loves Doterra and we have had many family and friends love it too. One family has major allergies and after switching to Essential oils and been able to scale back on prescription meds. I know there are other companies out there besides Doterra as well. Just a thought! :)
Inspiring.
Time is more valuable than possessions.
Really enjoyed your post! I also have had the problem of purchasing items then donating them just a short time later because it didn’t fulfill my needs or I became tired of the item (especially purses!) I’ve gone through a personal financial crisis earlier this year and now am living on a strict cash basis, which has really opened my eyes to “wants” versus “needs” when spending my money. When I think of all the things I’ve purchased that I really didn’t need, then given them away, I cringe at all that lost money. I’m still on my de-cluttering journey, hoping for the day when I’m free from dusting, cleaning, moving all the unnecessary stuff.
Regarding helping your fiance to transition toward minimalism: By nature, guys want to do whatever it takes to make us happy. My husband has learned over time that the absolute best gift he can give me is the sight of his truck hauling unnecessary stuff away from our house, rather than bringing “gifts” in.
I’m jealous!! I would LOVE to have everything fit into a backpack. Maybe that day will yet come, but for now I’m feeling very blessed too.
I’m sorry about the asthma. Have you tried a vegan/vegetarian diet? I found this (It’s old, but places like TrueNorth Health Center in Santa Rosa, CA have more current info):
Changing the diet to induce an change in bowel microflora may be effective in reducing asthma symptoms. A group of patients in Sweden were placed on a vegan diet (one containing no milk, eggs, meat, or animal products of any type) for a period of one year. The average patient in the study had suffered from asthma for nearly 12 years, and in about half of these patients allergy tests had not been helpful. Most of the patients had been admitted to the hospital during the past two years suffering from acute asthmatic attacks and their average number of medications at the beginning of the diet was 4.5 medications per person. Of the 35 patients, 20 of them were taking cortisone constantly and of the remaining group 7 had received cortisone at some time during the disease. The study group represented a group of patients with quite advanced disease. The diet prescribed was free of all animal products, and coffee, tea, chocolate, sugar and salt were all eliminated. Cereals were very limited but buckwheat, millet and lentils were accepted. Citrus fruits and apples were not permitted. Patients were encouraged to drink water or herbal teas, up to 1 1/2 liters every 24 hours. The patients were to spend some time every day in physical activity out of doors. Over 70 percent of the patients reported improvement or disappearance of symptoms after four months on the program, while after one year 92 percent were improved or well. The group as a whole reported a decrease in the number of asthmatic attacks and less severe symptoms in the attacks that did occur. Interestingly, many of these patients had associated diseases such as rheumatic symptoms, and they reported that these problems were lessened or cured. The group also reported a decrease in the frequency of infectious diseases they suffered. Blood pressure was decreased, vital capacity and physical working load both improved and body weight decreased. Some of the patients in the study were able to completely give up their asthma medication, and others reduced medication use to up to 50 percent of the original dose. (Journal of Asthma 22(1)45-55, 1985) Copyright 1985 Phylis Austin
I am a visual person and would love love love to see pictures of peoples’ spaces or their items that fit in a knapsack etc.
Google “Everything I own in a backpack” and then click on images.
Would a “Webster pack” work for your medicines?
These might have a different name in the USA but its where the pharmacy puts your capsules/tablets into one sheet of “blisters”. e.g. the Monday am blister would have all tablets you take at that time. Separate blister for midday, night etc. This is usually offered for a small fee. It won’t work for “as required” medicines or inhalers, but anything regular you could have the whole week or even month’s worth done as cardboard sheet with blisters instead of multiple bottles / packets.
Thanks for sharing your story, Ally.
You definitely may want to consider natural alternatives and/or diet changes as others have mentioned. Medicine itself is very toxic and often cause many health issues in addition to what you may already be dealing with. Unless there’s absolutely no other choice (which is very rare), it’s better to never use them. Researching the side effects of your meds may be a good eye-opener. You may notice your symptoms get worse at first (because you’ve become accustomed to the meds), but they will eventually subside altogether. No meds is a great way to be truly free. Please make sure to do this safely though & gather all necessary info to assist you. Usually a gradual change is easier on your body.
Dimond: Husband and I have gone to natural ways to lower blood pressure (eat lots of produce, avoid most restaurants, and cut down on salt) and lowered it below the normal/highest levels. I would always try to find natural ways to help certain diseases, but sometimes drugs are needed when efforts fail to get results. I had to clean out his parents house after the last one died and threw out pills and donated lots of stuff they should have cleaned out themselves. Lesson learned: keep un cluttering as a normal routine at least twice a year and donate or sell. Kitchens can be the hardest as excess pots and pans, utensils not being used has to go. Barbara: I have a somewhat “purse issue” I went to compact over the body purses, and own several larger ones like new, so will give them to someone who needs and wants one. As for household items, consider group homes in your community or friends in need.
I really enjoyed your post Ally. It’s great that you are learning all these minimalist lessons at a young age. I’ve helped clean out the homes of several elderly relatives who had accumulated VAST amounts of possessions. My husband and I have decided we will not leave that kind of legacy for our children! I hope you aren’t discouraged by all the “medical” advice in above comments. They don’t even know you or your health issues! I liked Julie’s suggestion of the blister packs– I didn’t even realize that was an option.
Thank you to everyone for all the lovely comments!! I really appreciate it!! I have actually change my diet to make myself healthier in regards to trying to lessen my meds overall so thank you all for the tips!! Loved hearing from you :) good luck to everyone on their minimalist journeys :)
Thanks for sharing your encouraging story, Ally. I’m so far from having all of my possessions fit into a carry-on suitcase–but I LOVE to travel that way when I can. You’re right; it’s so freeing!
I think that other commenters’ blister pack idea sounds great for travel. I use a more homemade alternative for my own medications: A simple 7-day pill organizer, with separate pockets for morning and evening medicines. I use it daily for its convenience, and it avoids the packaging waste of disposable blister packs. Now that I think of it, I could use multiple packages like that when traveling for a few weeks. That way I could avoid taking bulkier medicine bottles!
I take a lot of medicines and I group them when I pack by morning, afternoon, and evening. That way, I can take the original bottles but not have to constantly dig for them.
I read your older posts. I have gotten my books down to one shelf of fiction favorites and one shelf of nonfiction. I have two bags for the local grade school and two bags for the food pantry “free table”. My daughter had unopened cosmetics and school supplies we are giving away. There is also a bag for my friend who does crafts at a nursing home. Someone gave me beautiful shell beads and buttons which I am using in a craft class.