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Possessions as Promises

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When Plumblossom was just a few months old, I bought an infant swing. I never thought I’d own such an item—but desperate to get my daughter to nap, I went online and discovered this “solution” to my problem. It promised to calm my little one with its gentle rocking, and send her off to sleep in no time flat; the Amazon reviews confirmed its efficacy (“My baby naps 3 hours in this!”). I couldn’t part with my money fast enough.

My enthusiasm to acquire this new thing made me think: what are our possessions, really, but a bunch of promises? That dress promises to make us look stylish; that smartphone promises to keep us tech-savvy and connected; that cookbook promises to make us a culinary whiz; that moisturizer promises to take years off our face; that heirloom china promises to help us remember our grandmother.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Robbie Leonard

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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, Robbie Leonard tells us how minimalism helped him embrace his true calling as a writer. Please visit his blog to learn more.

Robbie writes:

Hi, I’m Robbie Leonard from Carpinteria, California currently living in the San Fernando Valley. I’m a writer determined to bring wisdom to the masses. The spirit of minimalism grasped a hold of my life a few years ago; I had an epiphany.

I started to write a book about my life experiences in high school but I strongly believed that a high-paying career pursuit was a higher priority, ignoring my calling as a writer.… {Read more}

The Minimalist Toybox

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My daughter Plumblossom has a tiny toybox—a little fabric bin that holds her small selection of rattles, balls, books, blocks, and other infant playthings. The majority of its contents are gifts from friends and family; lucky for her, as her minimalist mother is not particularly adept at choosing or acquiring such items. :)

In fact, while browsing Amazon and other retail sites, I’ve found many more toys I don’t want to buy than those I actually do. Here’s what I plan to avoid:

Battery-operated toys. I think toys that have flashing lights, electronic sounds, or too many bells and whistles are overwhelming for a baby.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Celeste

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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, Celeste tells us how her packrat family, the financial crisis, and a number of moves inspired her minimalist lifestyle.

Celeste writes:

I made the decision to go minimalist about a year ago, but in hindsight it was something I always wanted without knowing it. When I was younger I always dreamed of living in a hotel, I found them so relaxing and efficient and stress free. I now realize that was because they aren’t cluttered with STUFF!… {Read more}

Undone

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A few weeks before I had Plumblossom, a wise friend told me: “In those first months, don’t worry about getting things done. Just be with your baby.”

Oh my goodness, what wonderful advice! Before then, I couldn’t imagine not writing weekly blog posts, answering emails within two days, or letting the dishes sit in the sink. But with a huge, new responsibility, I just couldn’t do everything anymore. And guess what? Life went on, and the world didn’t stop spinning. It took my life being turned upside down (in a good way) before I could come to terms with leaving things undone.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Erin

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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 Erin. She and her family transformed their lives by decluttering, paying off their debt, and pursuing a minimalist path. Surf on over to her blog to learn more about their journey.

Erin writes:

Our journey to minimalism began in January of 2011. I got very sick with migraines and seizures and needed a change! I had too much stuff cluttering up our life. I was working the night shift in law enforcement, trying to keep up with our life, family and stuff!… {Read more}

Minimalist Hobbies

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I’ve received several inquiries from readers asking what I do in my spare time. At the moment, with a baby, I would have to say sleep :)—but I do have a few minimalist hobbies I try to pursue (or would like to pursue) when I have a few minutes to myself.

1. Walking. I love, love, love to walk. I don’t do it for the exercise, but rather the sheer pleasure of being outside, on my feet, and a spectator of the changing seasons. I can’t tell you how much I miss the public footpaths of England; the weekends my husband and I spent rambling through meadows, pastures, and the little villages in between are some of the happiest memories of my life.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Gigi

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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.

I think you’ll enjoy this story from Gigi, who pared down her belongings (and her dog’s!) in order to pursue life on the road. Check out her blog to read more about her experiences.

Gigi writes:

My name is Gigi and I’ve always had minimalist tendencies, but this year I took it to the next level and I am currently traveling through Europe with one hiking backpack and one carry-on backpack (oh, and my small dog, Luna!).… {Read more}

Walls of Stuff

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An observation from my minimalist life: when you don’t have a lot of stuff in your home, you tend to look outward for entertainment.

When my husband and I lived in our tiny flat in England, we rarely spent our leisure time indoors—other than reading or cooking, there simply wasn’t much to do. Instead, weekends and evenings would find us walking the streets of London, or the idyllic paths of the countryside.

The same holds true now: even though we live in a larger house, there’s still not much to keep us inside. During the day, I usually put Plumblossom in my Baby Bjorn carrier, wander through the neighborhood, and chat with anyone who happens to be out and about.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Chris

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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 inspiring contribution from Chris, who explains the steps she’s taken to simplify her life and reduce her carbon footprint.

Chris writes:

Although I’m late to minimalism I’m a work in progress. I’ve been on the outskirts of it for years, telling my friends and children not to buy Christmas, birthday, etc. presents; if they had to “buy” me something they could make a donation to Heifer International or a charity of their choice.… {Read more}