Real Life Minimalists Update: Minimal Rose

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 so happy to bring you this update from Minimal Rose, who was originally featured three years ago. I think it’s a wonderful example of the happiness that the pursuit of simplicity can bring.

Minimal Rose writes:

Here I am, living in an exquisite and historic Pacific Northwest coastal town. While I’m not quite living in the ocean front cottage I had envisioned, I’m very content. These past few years I have had the honor of living in the garden apartment of a delightful older couples’ home. We trade off caring for each others’ cats as needed and looking out for one-another. What a blessing it has been in safe cozy home and neighborhood at an affordable rate in a very pricey rental market. And what a comfort it is to know this kind couple is nearby and ready with kindness at a moments notice.

While I do have my choice of big box stores nearby, I am blessed to live in a town that has maintained their small businesses. In fact, due to our growing popularity, we’ve managed to have many new home-grown shops arrive. We have a shoe repair shop, a butcher shop, a small co-op, many decadent restaurants and pubs, and many varieties of second hand, antique, and trendy/luxurious new options. Not only that, we have a thriving community of intellectuals and artists, and of course regular festivals and activities to celebrate.

I have found myself continuing to work on streamlining my life (as this is very much a forever project). I read and loved Marie Kondo’s “The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up”. However have found that I’m still working on all categories simultaneously. I’ve been very committed to Dave Ramsey’s approach to financial management and eagerly watch myself get closer to financial freedom.

Simplicity has lifted weights from my shoulders. My landlady and her spouse, who had reconnected later in life, have 20 kids between the two of them! We have discussed how different an equation that is today in this modern age. My thought is how much our expectations have changed from the mid 20^th century to the early 21st. Though there is much culture shifting recently, we have tended to want our own rooms/space, our own vehicles, and to create our own image through stuff (especially technology). Not only that, we want a lot of it! All of it! It reminds me of something I heard and embraced the year after I wrote my first post for Miss Minimalist. There was a story that lead up to the phrase “I wish you enough”. I had been going along wishing loved ones “everything”. But “everything” is never enough. To have “enough” is everything.

I’ve been helping my significant other simplify his own life (let’s just say 5 generations have imprinted the house that he is living in now), supporting my mother in her own letting go process (she has decided to clear out some clutter as she works toward healing emotionally and she hopes this will carry through to provide some healing to her physical health), and watching my sister move, rent, foster (and fill her life with “everything”). And of course, trying to remember in the process to take care of my own needs and well-being so that I can remain the kind, compassionate, and supportive woman I strive to be.

In the process of simplifying my life in the past year, I moved to a new job and work setting. I’m grateful to be working in an environment originally established and run by nuns. I take great joy hearing and seeing “simplicity”, “compassion”, and “excellence” take shape throughout the organization.

As Brooke McAlary of Slow Your Home says “love people, use things”. I always feel happiest when living those values. Although, I think compassion and care should be present when using things as well. In true Kondo style, I like to imagine my “things” want to be as cared for as I wish to be.

---

{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.}