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100 Possessions: Turquoise Wellies

At first glance, this particular possession may seem way out of line with my minimalist principles. But hey, a girl’s gotta have a little fun, right?

Maybe they make me a bad minimalist—they’re not a basic color, and they don’t go with everything in my closet (though I typically pair them with anything anyway). They’re not lightweight, and they don’t fold down to nothing for easy storage and transport. And they’d take up way too much space in the minimalist’s proverbial backpack. ;-)

So why are they part of my life?

1. They’re practical. When I lived in England, I learned that in rainy weather, there’s nothing better than a pair of wellies to keep your feet warm and dry.… {Read more}

Freedom

A reporter once asked me, “What’s the best thing about being a minimalist”?

I answered with one word: freedom.

Really, that’s what it all boils down to for me. When my home, my schedule, and my mind are stripped free of excess, I feel completely unencumbered.

Too much stuff can enslave us in myriad ways. Physically, it can take over our homes, crowding us and our children out of precious living space. It can also drastically reduce our mobility, creating an inertia that discourages us from moving and embracing promising new opportunities.

It can also weigh on us psychologically, dragging on our spirits and energy until we feel too overwhelmed and lethargic to accomplish anything.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Tony

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, Tony tells us how minimalism helped him rebuild his life after some personal setbacks. Check out his blog to read more about his journey.

Tony writes:

I guess my journey to minimalism started back in 2003. At age 40 I found myself divorced and one morning I drove away from the family home with the few things I could fit into my 10-year old car. It doesn’t sound like an auspicious start, but I learned one thing, even when you have nothing life goes on.… {Read more}

Sinking the Boat (or Ancient Chinese Decluttering)

There’s a popular Buddhist story about Layman P’ang, a successful merchant in 8th century China. He was a family man who, instead of becoming a monk, chose to pursue a lay practice and study the sutras with his wife and children. Worried that his material wealth might impede his path to enlightenment, he put all his worldly possessions in a boat, and sank it in the middle of a river.

Ah, don’t you sometimes wish you could do the same! Decluttering can be a long and arduous process, as we agonize over each possession. Should we keep it? Should we part with it?… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Hulya

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 meet Hulya, who tells us about her decade-long minimalist journey and the inspiration behind it. Be sure to visit her blog, A Minimalist’s Musings, to learn more.

Hulya writes:

Although I’m new to the blogland I’m not new to minimalism. For the last 10 years I have been methodically, diligently minimising my possessions, decluttering my environment and my mind. The benefits are enormous. I’m much calmer, more organised and definitely jollier.… {Read more}

No TV Update: Three Years and Counting

Three years ago, my husband and I gave up our television when we moved overseas. At the time, I had no idea how we’d feel about its absence, or whether or not we’d replace it upon our return. Well, I’m happy to report that we love being TV-free, and have no intention of obtaining another.

In fact, we recently traveled to Texas for a family wedding, and during the five days in our hotel suite never once turned on the TV (we didn’t even notice its presence until the third or fourth day!).

Here’s a quick rundown on how tuning out the tube has enhanced our lives:

More silence.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Bethany

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 love this story from Bethany. She tells us how her family pared down to spend their summer on a sailboat, and are now applying the same minimalist principles to their home life. Visit her blog to read more!

Bethany writes:

Sailing to Nirvana

Ever since we met a minimalist couple three years ago, my husband and I have been slowly trying to adapt that kind of a lifestyle.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Marni

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, Marni shares her story with us. She’s found that minimalism helps her manage life as a single mother, while providing wonderful experiences for her children!

Marni writes:

I am a single mother to 2 kids, and being a minimalist has helped make living a single life with kids manageable and enjoyable. Cleaning house is painless and they only have a few toys.I teach my kids that experience brings more enjoyment than stuff.… {Read more}

Minimalist Family: Is One Child Enough?

If you’ve been following my blog lately, you know that I recently gave birth to my first child—a beautiful baby girl I call Plumblossom.

My husband and I waited a long time before deciding to settle down and procreate—so long, in fact, that my medical chart bore the lovely, geriatric-sounding “Advanced Maternal Age” label.

Which brings me to the subject of this week’s post… With my biological clock ticking (fast), DH and I need to make a decision soon as to whether we’re “one and done” or ready to try for another. It’s a tough call to make in the midst of first-time parenting sleep deprivation; however, we don’t have the luxury of waiting until Plumblossom is out of diapers to ponder a possible sibling.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Trina from Beginner Beans

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 Trina, who explains how decluttering their excess helped her family through a difficult time. Read more of her story on her blog, Beginner Beans.

Trina writes:

My efforts toward minimalism became more serious when my husband lost his job last year. We were living in Florida at the time–about 1,500 miles from our home and family in the midwest. Years of simplifying and battling clutter came to an epic change when our family of four faced moving across the country, jobless and homeless.… {Read more}