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Real Life Minimalists: Karen

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 pleased to feature Karen, who describes herself as the “not-quite-there” minimalist. Visit her blog, and learn more about her gentle evolution towards simplicity.

Karen writes:

When I was 16 I remember looking around my bedroom and seeing all the typical teenage flotsam and jetsam on the floor and the crammed-full dresser and suddenly realizing I didn’t want to live like this. I wanted clear spaces and less of everything.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists Update: Fawn

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 Fawn, who was first featured as a Real Life Minimalist in September 2010. Her minimalist lifestyle, as a single mom of four, is truly inspirational—please visit her blog to learn more!

Fawn writes:

I have had minimalist leanings since I was a child. I used to make up games where I had to leave my home and stuff and pack only what I could take on my (imaginary) horse for a month on the range.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Denise

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 this story from Denise. She and her daughter Aly (who was featured as a Real Life Minimalist last year) blog about their challenges and discoveries at minimalismissimple.com.

Denise writes:

Just over a year ago my daughter, Aly, introduced me to minimalism. Immediately I knew it was exactly what I was looking for. As I continue to make my way down the minimalist path now, I find myself thinking that I wish that I had found this path 30 years ago and how drastically different my life would have been. … {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Ellen

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, Ellen tells us how she went from packrat to minimalist—and the wonderful freedom she enjoys with less stuff!

Ellen writes:

My name is Ellen and I’m 27 years old from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. I run a fashion and advice blog called Ask Away (www.askawayblog.com) where I post about fashion trends, organizing, building a wardrobe, and living on a budget. Oh, and I’m a self-proclaimed minimalist. When anyone called me that in the past, I would get defensive, as if they were calling me a derogatory name.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Vince

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 Vince, a writer and photographer who travels the world in minimalist fashion. Read more about his adventures (and see his wonderful photos!) on his blog, www.20LiterLife.com.

Vince writes:

When I traveled to Australia in 2009 I brought so much stuff. I think I took five or six pairs of shoes with me – and I’m a guy. In my defense, I was moving there for almost a year, so I would need pretty much my life’s worth of stuff, right?… {Read more}

Give

A story so sweet I had to share…

This morning my husband was heading out to work, and put a bag of unwrapped presents (meant for a charity that serves underprivileged children) by the front door. Plumblossom, our always-curious almost-2-year-old, made a beeline for the bag.

“No,” my husband said. “Those gifts are for other kids—kids who don’t have any toys to play with.” I sensed he was bracing for a toddler-style protest.

Instead, Plumblossom took off for her room without a word. She returned a few minutes later, and dropped an armful of toys and an empty bag of seaweed salad at my husband’s feet.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Katherine

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 a wonderful contribution from Katherine, who tells us how she is re-discovering minimalism. My favorite line: “my heart did a 180 when it came to possessions.” Surf on over to her blog to learn more.

Katherine writes:

In college, I could not wait to explore the world as a study-abroader! I purchased an adequately sized backpack from a local store to carry and was on my way.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Want-To-Be-Minimalist Steve

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 pleased to feature Want-To-Be-Minimalist Steve. He tells us how he and his wife came to have too much stuff, and details their decluttering efforts as they begin their minimalist journey.

Steve writes:

I’m a 38 year old man living in Wisconsin with my wife of 16 years. I’m a manager at a large company and my wife works in the public schools. We have no children and at the moment have no pets (our 14 year old Shih Tzu just passed away a month ago).… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists Update: Gigi

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 previous Real Life Minimalist Gigi. We last heard from her in January, when she was decluttering and planning her next travels. Visit her blog to read more about her adventures.

Gigi writes:

In early 2012, I sold, gave away, or trashed almost everything I owned. I gave up my lease on a little house in urban Denver. And I took off around the world with my business and my little dog, leaving just 8 boxes behind in a friend’s basement.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Carrie

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, Carrie shares her minimalist journey with us, and explains how it’s enabled her to pursue her interest in writing—be sure to check out her blog!

Carrie writes:

About a year ago, I stumbled across the idea of minimalism after reading an article about a tiny house. My youngest brother is in architecture school and we soon got into a lively discussion about tiny houses and how much fun they would be to design and build.… {Read more}