Real Life Minimalists: Jennifer

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 a lovely contribution from Jennifer, who tells us how a major weight loss inspired her to streamline the rest of her life. Read more about her minimalist journey on her blog.

Jennifer writes:

You could say that losing weight launched my journey into minimalism. After losing 40+ pounds, I needed a new wardrobe and had to do so inexpensively. I researched building a wardrobe on the cheap and discovered the Minimalist Movement. After cleaning out my closet and dresser, I began to build a wardrobe of items that matched, fit well, and made me feel good. I scoured thrift stores and websites for the right pieces, and supplemented those with two good-quality layering T’s from the mall.

The project was liberating; no one noticed that I wore the same clothes over and over again. In fact, I got compliments on my weight loss and style! I felt lighter in body and spirit, so now it was time to tackle the basement.

I started slowly – one section at a time. The floor was covered with old toys and Legos. I grabbed a shovel and scooped most of the toys into trash bags and the Legos into storage bins (for now). I made four piles: keep, trash, sell, and donate. At the end of an hour or two, I immediately took the trash out to the curb (the local pickers had a field day) and the donate items to my car for transport to Goodwill. I stacked the sell items neatly in the garage for a future yard sale, and the keep items found a new home on the shelf. There were surprisingly very few items to keep.

It took several months to work through the mess, but with each day spent down in the darkness, I emerged feeling lighter and more free. My possessions were no longer weighing me down.

With the basement in order, it was time to tackle the living areas. I went room by room going through closets, shelves, and even under beds. I asked, “Do I use this?” and “Does this add value to my life?” Nothing was sacred, and everything was under scrutiny.

The kitchen was, perhaps, the most challenging room to tackle. There were so many tools and appliances that I never used. When I took a good, hard look at all the plates, glasses (a different kind for every beverage), and utensils, I was embarrassed. I had fallen victim to the sales and marketing strategies of many a store; I had bought it all.

My research into minimalism expanded. I read everything I could get my hands on – blogs, books – and even started listening to different podcasts. I discovered techniques for culling my possessions and creating a curated life. And most importantly, I learned that everything I bring into my life has a cost, not just monetary, but also time and upkeep. Now, before I make a purchase I ask, “Does this add value to my life?” and “Am I willing to pay the costs to keep this item?” If the answer is no, I’m not buying it.

Because I don’t have as much stuff anymore, cleaning is a breeze. I don’t have trinkets to dust or a lot of furniture to vacuum around. Planning and cooking meals is streamlined, as I use just the basics in my kitchen now.

Minimalism is personal, and my form of it will look different from anyone else’s. Just because I chose to get rid of my microwave, single-serve coffee maker, and sofa, doesn’t mean that you should do the same. Only you can discern what adds value to your life, and it will certainly change over time. But I can tell you that eliminating physical clutter has made room for more in my life – more time spent with family, more time to write and pursue my passions, more money to put towards debt.

And I’m still learning! As I navigate the paths of minimalism, I continue to evaluate my belongings and choices, making sure they align with my values of family, health, productivity, and contribution. It’s not always an easy journey, but it’s certainly worthwhile.

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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.}