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, Jess tells us her story: how she overcame her early hoarding tendencies, and is now pursuing a (wonderful) life free of clutter and excess.

Jess writes:

I have always had hoarding tendencies. As a child, I had many, many toys, dress ups, books, a gorgeous cubby house complete with a plastic tea set. I loved all my things, and couldn’t wait for Christmases and birthdays to get more stuff. When I was 6, my family sold almost everything we had, including the house my dad built, bought a caravan and set about Australia on a four year 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 Ryan the NewAgeNomad, whose minimalism led him to a unique lifestyle. Surf on over to his blog to learn more about his experiences on the road.

Ryan writes:

Four years ago at the age of 33, I began giving or throwing everything I owned away. I had no idea what minimalism was and knew nothing about it, all I knew is all this clutter made me very flustered.… {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, Michelle tells us about her minimalist journey—from its beginnings over a decade ago, to her current “less is more” lifestyle. Please visit her blog to read more.

Michelle writes:

My process of becoming a minimalist is quite weird and interesting for me to look back on. I started out fond of collecting things – post cards, figurines…my belonging held a poetic sense of significance to me. However, even back then an image in my mind would keep popping up – an image of a small room with only a bed and a little table in it, and on the table was a cracked vase with flowers.… {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, I’m happy to share an update from previous Real Life Minimalist Gigi. We first heard from her last July, while she was traveling through Europe with her little dog Luna. Read on to find out where she is now on her minimalist journey (for more details, surf on over to her blog).

Gigi writes:

After four months of full-time travel with just a backpack and a dog, I’ve become even more of a minimalist.… {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 compelling story from Kathryn, who explains how some volunteer work changed her perspective on possessions. Visit her blog to learn more about her current endeavor, urban farming.

Kathryn writes:

My first steps into minimalism happened when I did a semester abroad working in an orphanage in Iasi, Romania. I remember feeling as if there was no way I could possibly pack enough for 3 months, yet when I arrived I realized these few things I had were more than so many of these children would ever possess.… {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, The Budding Minimalist tells us how she overcame her shopping and collecting habits, and found the courage to purge the clutter from her life.

The Budding Minimalist writes:

I believe I inherited my “collecting” habits from my father, who loves to keep around Japanese artifacts from his childhood on his desk (in addition to the small trinkets he’s been given over the years) and has a collection of baseball bats, baseballs, and photos (all signed) from the local sports team.… {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 Aly, who’s embarking on her minimalist journey together with her mother. Follow the duo’s progress on their blog, minimalismissimple.com.

Aly writes:

My mother and I have always struggled to find balance in our lives. We wondered where the extra money vanished to, why we were always so disorganized, and what we could do to reverse the never ending cycle of having too much but never having enough.… {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, I’m happy to feature Marianne, who tells us about the variety of changes she’s made to simplify her life. To learn more, surf on over to her blog.

Marianne writes:

I came across Miss Minimalist several months ago and was inspired by the posts that were written. I like to keep my home uncluttered, but this took things to a new level. I think that it takes time to find balance in your life and for habits to stick.… {Read more}