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 beautiful contribution from SimpleBean, who shares a poignant reflection on what matters most in life.

SimpleBean writes:

This month, my grandparents decided to move to an assisted living facility. My grandfather’s brother, my great-uncle, also decided to gracefully end his losing battle with chronic illness by entering hospice. I traveled to see all three of them and start saying my goodbyes: to my great-uncle, mainly, but also to both of my grandparents’ homes.… {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, Jessie tells us how she embraced minimalism after a series of moves, and now feels empowered by her new, streamlined life. Visit her blog to read more.

Jessie writes:

I moved a lot in my early twenties, from college dorm room to shared apartment, to a rented house and then a townhouse, to an apartment with my boyfriend. I went to grad school, and continued to move, trying to find the best location compromise between my school in one city and my boyfriend’s – and then husband’s – work in another city.… {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 John, who shares his progress a year into his minimalist journey. Be sure to visit his blog to read more.

John writes:

Hello there! I am John from TheHillofBeans.com.

I began my minimalist journey last year, after the dissolution of my marriage. I was alone in a large, 2600 sq ft house filled with the accumulation of 25 years and four children (who are now adults living on their own).… {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 we have an update from Bethany, who was first featured as a Real Life Minimalist in June 2012. She shares with us the exciting changes of the last two years, and invites you to read more about her family’s new adventure on her blog.

Bethany writes:

In the summer of 2012, while cruising  our 29-foot sailboat, I shared my story with all of you. That was an incredible summer, as my family of 3 lived aboard for a total of 91 days.… {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, Sharity tells us how her house was (literally) cracking apart beneath her—and how it inspired her to live a lighter, freer, more minimalist life.

Sharity writes:

I don’t recall the exact moment when I discovered minimalism, but I’ve been reading about it and working on it for myself for at least a couple of years now.

I grew up with a mentally ill mother, and it wasn’t until the popularity of shows like Hoarders that I realized my mom was a hoarder.… {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 pleased to feature Natalie. She tells us how minimalism helped her family reclaim not only their space, but also their time. Read more about her new “unbusy” life on her blog.

Natalie writes:

I’m Natalie, a 36 year old married mother of 3 kids from Melbourne Australia.

Being part of a family of five means that there is a lot of “stuff” in our home–toys, clothes, paperwork, food, junk, junk, junk.… {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’d like to introduce you to Dee, who chronicles her relationship with stuff from her childhood to her (more minimalist) present. What a wonderful transformation she’s made in her perspective on possessions!

Dee writes:

Since childhood, my relationship with my stuff has been complicated. My parents would never be on television for their hoarding – there were no goat trails through waist-high piles of clutter, no rodents or trash in the living room – but each of them had hoarding tendencies.… {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, we hear from Jake DaSilva, Minimalist Outdoorsman. I’m happy he’s shared his story with us, as it’s so different than any we’ve had in the past—illustrating how minimalism can apply to a wide spectrum of lifestyles and interests.

Jake writes:

Even though I grew up rural and poor I never wanted for material items; rather I wanted time and experiences. This value has governed my life and fortified my minimalism.… {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 an update from Kim, who was featured in this series last September. I think we can all relate to how some clutter falls through the cracks, and how it’s best to remember how far we’ve come!

Kim writes:

A year ago, I waxed lyrical on my journey towards minimising the number of books I own, rapidly decreasing their numbers from 2000 to just a couple of hundred. I hadn’t actually counted, I know that if I go down that road there will be no end to it – items in the cutlery drawer, pairs of socks, hairs on head.… {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, Lauren tells us how she discovered the joys of minimalism through long-distance hiking. Visit her blog to follow her on her journey.

Lauren writes:

Some aspects of minimalism have always come naturally to me, but I can point to my 2006 thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail as a turning point. I had not done much backpacking before I set out for this 2,200 mile walk up and down the hills and mountains of the eastern United States, but it didn’t take long for me to learn that the more stuff I carried on my back, the more uncomfortable I would be and the less able to enjoy the stunning scenery or conversations with fellow hikers.… {Read more}