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, we have an inspirational story from Cecily, who tells us how minimalism has given her the time, focus, and ability to pursue her dream of being a writer.
Cecily writes:
Being a minimalist isn’t something new to me. It’s a habit, a part of my every day. I think about it little more than I think about eating well, or keeping the house clean, or putting clothes through the wash.
Do I find pleasure in it? Sometimes. Sometimes I open my wardrobe to find only the things I’ve made and love and feel a flush of happiness. I like living in a tidy house. I like the fact that I can clean it quickly and easily.
More than that, though, I like the other things that this lifestyle opens up to me. Time to stand still and think slowly, despite a busy family life and a part time job. Time to grow a patch full of vegetables each year, and to keep hens. The chance to stop and take note of the colour of the clouds as they scud across the ever changing sky. To listen, really listen, to what my children are saying. To learn new skills.
Just as this lifestyle takes choice away, it presents us with more. I may not need to choose which pair of boots to wear, but I do need to decide how to spend my days. Sometimes those choices force us to face up to ourselves, and ask what we really want. Like so many people, I wanted to write, but between one thing and another I rarely did.
In September I realised that there was nothing in my way. Either I wanted to write or I didn’t, and either choice was fine. I took away the pressures of finding a publisher and making money. That wasn’t what it was about. It was just about putting words on a page, one after another.
So I started the semi-fictional diary of Cecily Graham, living in 1930s Britain (http://athomeinthethirties.com). I publish twice a week, and have done so since September. It’s made me more consistent and more productive. I am becoming more observant, and more grateful for the day to day. Most of all, though, it’s made me a writer at last.
Minimalism fits so well with the thirties: I love the frugality, creativity and resourcefulness of both. It was a time when old things were mended and thrift was a virtue. When the world moved at a slower pace, but we could enjoy the pleasures of modernity.
I believe that we can still do that now, if we make the right choices. Minimalism is one of them. An important one, to me. It has freed me up for so many other good things. And for that I am truly grateful.
{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.}
I love the frugality, creativeness, and resourcefulness of the 30s too. I’ll be reading your blog! And you’re right — you can either do the thing you’ve been dreaming of, or you can not do it, but either way the choices you actually make day to day are what define your life. Thanks for reminding us, Cecily.
Thanks so much, Karen. You’ve summed up just what I was hoping to put across. I hope you enjoy the blog!
I have come across your blog before and it is truly creative!
Keep up the good work.
How exciting to think that you’ve come across the blog before – thanks for your kind comment!
I love this! I’m a writer too and that’s what it’s all about isn’t it? Words in the page. The 30’s idea is so stinkin cool!
Thanks, Sonja! Yes, just one word after another and before we know it we’ve written something where before there was nothing. I’m so glad you like the 1930s angle – thanks for the support! I wish you all the best with your own writing.
Even the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s was way more frugal and minimalist compared to now. Even into the 50’s decade, we were still coming out of the depression, as I remember elders talking about the subject. Less stuff to buy available, and people did way more outdoor and family activities, local parks, short side trips, visiting more friends, relatives. I am recently inspired by the Marie Kondo method of uncluttering combined with other website ideas, these methods will push me further down the minimalist hiway. Taking ideas from several books and sites was helpful. you tube has lots info.
Absolutely. In Britain, at least, there was much less to buy during the post war period as the nation was deeply in debt and rationing didn’t come to an end until 1953. Social history is just fascinating, and we’re lucky to have so many books, studies and documentaries publicly available in libraries and online. Thanks for the tips, and I wish you the very best with your own minimalist journey.
You write so well and oh so beautifully! You write poetically, too. I’ve been wanting to live minimally and may probably just dive into it. My unsettling desire would not translate into action. Maybe until now. I, too, want to focus on things that matter, things that add value to our lives. Life is too cluttered that we fail to see the wonders of God’s creation which you beautifully described in your blogs. You have a gift. You see beyond looking. And speak beyond writing. Thanks for inspiring me to let go of the clutter and if I can’t write, maybe I’ll keep enjoying your writing.
My husband and I were watching a TV commercial for new Easter fashions. We think it’s sad that people go into debt so they can dress up. My mom used to make dresses. We didn’t get new clothes every week like now. DH gets a new tie or two, I got a pair of slacks and that was it. We travel with luggage we can lift, and we’re invited to a backyard wedding the kids are paying for themselves. If I had to, I would take a big tote bag and skip the suitcase altogether.
I was at the grocery store today and a man said his boy would not eat meat. I asked if he drank milk or ate eggs. Did he eat peanut butter or cottage cheese or beans and rice or pizza.
My sons are around 6 feet tall and neither is a big meat eater. I remember my kids wearing hand me downs like we all did. Quilting, knitting, crochet are all very popular. Being frugal is a useful skill to have.
I was at a rummage sale and asked an elderly lady what she did with shrunken sweaters. She said she threw them out. I said I shrink them further and made house slippers, purses or flowers out of them after I took off all the buttons and trim.I was brought up not to waste.