Real Life Minimalists

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 pleased to feature Bryan. I love how his minimalist journey began in an airport—while whittling down his luggage to meet the baggage requirements! Read more of his thoughts on his blog.

Bryan writes:

Having MORE through LESS

I developed my passion for being a minimalist about two years ago when a close friend of mine and I decided to go on a three-week European sightseeing adventure. As a result, I decided to cash in my Los Angeles studio apartment (which I didn’t really like that much anyway) and all of my belongings as I knew this was going to be a costly trip.… {Read more}

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 hear from Em Phoenix, who writes about the great joy that minimalism has brought to her life. Want to learn more? Em has a Czech blog, but posts on Twitter in English.

Em writes:

Even though most of us carry our inner minimalist inside for years, it seems like there’s always some trigger, a moment in your life when you fall down, facing the ground and feeling like that’s the end of it unless something happens – a miracle that will give you new purpose.… {Read more}

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, Kishore from India tells us how he discovered minimalism, and the progress he’s made in decluttering. I love hearing from minimalists around the world!

Kishore writes:

Hi. I’m Kishore, from Chennai, India.

This journey into minimalism has been and is still a very exciting one. I’ll keep my story short and simple.

It struck me during my 20th birthday, that I didn’t need any of the presents I got. And most of the possessions I had were either too unused, or just kept for the sake of memories.… {Read more}

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 wonderful contribution from S., whose post radiates the peace she’s found in paring down.

S. writes:

I am a single mom who was tired and stressed and just didn’t seem to have the energy to keep up with everything that I thought was needed to keep things going. I struggled at stressful jobs so I could afford to pay the rent and provide 2 separate bedrooms for my son and I.… {Read more}

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, Lara shares with us the contentment she’s found in letting go of consumerism. Please visit her blog to learn more about how she’s simplifying her life.

Lara writes:

The Nordstrom sale was an epic, annual event in my childhood. My mother and I would wait expectantly outside the massive department store at 7 am to wait for the doors to open. It really was fun, but after the initial high of wardrobe acquisition wore off, I was still smack in the middle of an adolescence hurt by divorce and emotional pain.… {Read more}

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 thought-provoking contribution from J., who wonders: what to do after decluttering? A decluttered life is like the empty cup I talk about in my book—full of potential, but with what do you fill it? Please share with J. what you did with your newfound space (both physical and mental).

J. writes:

Dump the STUFF and then what?

This story begins as most of these do. I was a young woman.… {Read more}

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, Kevin from Ecuador tells us how his new minimalist mindset has changed his life in so many ways. You can hear more about his experiences by following him on Twitter.

Kevin writes:

Hello. My name is Kevin. I’m 26 years old from Quito, Ecuador.

I apologize for any mistakes in my English.

I just want to thank you because since I started to read your blog really changed my life completely.… {Read more}