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 lovely story from Matea. She’s now enjoying a simple, quiet life with her family, and tells us the changes she made to get there.

Matea writes:

I was first introduced to voluntary simplicity at twenty-one years old when I was a Jesuit Volunteer in northern Montana. But I arrived that fall in Montana with a suitcase, and left with a TON of junk, so the whole simple living thing clearly didn’t sink in.… {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 Jim. He’s been living a minimalist life for some time, and is considering a more extreme version for the future. Read more of his thoughts and philosophy on his blog.

Jim writes:

Hi, my name is Jim. I’ve been a reluctant minimalist most of my life. It really didn’t dawn on me that I’ve been a nomad until just recently, probably due to denial, because as so many others have said consumerism is drilled into most of us from day one.… {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 a wonderful contribution from NerdyMinimalistIslandGirl. She explains how a trip to an island country marked the beginning of her minimalist journey.

NerdyMinimalistIslandGirl writes:

2013 wasn’t a year I expected it to be. In late 2012, I graduated with my Master’s, started my doctorate, and began a new job—my dream job. The new job lasted for only six weeks before I was laid off. Then I began several miserable months of unemployment.… {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, Kelley tells us about her own minimalist philosophy, and explains how a series of moves has kept her possessions in check. Be sure to visit her blog to learn more.

Kelley writes:

My journey to minimalism began rather unofficially when I was preparing to leave for university. I had begun making a packing list in an effort to list only the things I would really need to take with me and avoid just packing everything in my room. … {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 Dyed-In-The-Wool Minimalist, who shares with us his long-term commitment to a pared-down lifestyle (great inspiration!).

Dyed-In-The-Wool Minimalist writes:

I have been a minimalist for twenty-five years.

When I was a teenager my room was not especially cluttered until my grandmother moved in with us. Having lived through the second world war, she was something of a hoarder and our house became crowded with a lifetime’s accumulation of stuff.… {Read more}