Real Life Minimalists: Jane

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, Jane from Australia shares her minimalist journey with us, as she embraces life as a new mom. Check out her blog to read more.

Jane writes:

Hello everybody! My name is Jane, from Sydney, Australia and I consider myself a minimalist-in-training.

I grew up in what appeared to look like a display home. My mother threw everything out, including things that meant a lot to me. It annoyed me and I still hold a grudge from when she got rid of my high school assignment on our family history.

My partner’s upbringing was a bit different. Some people (us minimalists) would describe his parents as hoarders. When we moved in together my stuff slowly accumulated. I became a teacher too and had it in my head that I had to keep every resource possible.

All my stuff came with us when we moved into my partner’s grandmother’s house after her death. Her parents inherited the house and her belongings. Before she died, shopping was a major hobby of hers. The house was full of clothing, handbags, shoes etc., a lot of which was never worn. She also didn’t throw out much. When tidying up the laundry cupboard I found seven bottles of window cleaner alone.

Some of her stuff was given to people but most of her stuff remained. Her parents were reluctant to let anything go. We boxed most of it up and stored it in the garage and basement. We lived with the rest of it and used her furniture.

I found it relieving when I discovered minimalism. It was exactly what my life needed at the time. I was a stressed out mess. I started decluttering my own things. My clothes, my books, my teaching stuff. I then focused on the grandmother’s belongings. The problem was they didn’t belong to me. “You can’t get rid of anything without asking Mum”, my partner told me. I asked my mother in law a few times to come and have a look but it was never a priority. I got rid of the things that were obviously junk. Some of her possessions that were originally in good condition were stored so badly they turned into junk. I donated other stuff that I knew wouldn’t be missed, like old blankets. The rest continued to sit there. It frustrated me.

After three years in that house we moved into a small apartment. We didn’t take much with us. Another family member moved into the house after us. All the things we left behind are still there in the garage and in the basement.

I have recently had a baby and moved into a three bedroom house, our home. We didn’t buy extra things for our home apart from what Bub needed. When I do need to get something I look for it second hand. I am determined not to let my stuff build up. Sometimes I slip up and have to get back on track. It’s slightly more challenging with a baby but I do not want to burden Bub and any future grandchildren of mine by having to deal with excess. (I don’t want to be extreme like my own mother though, I will cherish the things that are important to Bub and my family.)

Apart from less things, I also have less stress. Minimalism has given me more time and freedom. It has allowed us to live off a single income. We don’t spend as much time cleaning the house as I once did. I even found time to start a blog. It is mostly my experience of becoming a mother but some posts relate to minimalism and simple living. If you can relate to my story please check it out. Thanks for reading!

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{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.}