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100 Possessions: Monk’s Bowl

It may come as a surprise to some, but not all of my possessions are uber-practical. Some commemorate my travels, give me pleasure to look at, or remind me of how I’d like to live.

This monk’s bowl is a recent acquisition, purchased on my December trip to Thailand. In Bangkok, there’s a tiny neighborhood called Soi Ban Baat (Monk’s Bowl Village), where residents have been making alms bowls for monks for generations. Although most such bowls are now made in factories, a few artisans continue the tradition, beating out the bowls by hand. They’re made of eight strips of metal, to symbolize the Eightfold Path of Buddhism.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Shelby Gonzalez

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 meet Shelby Gonzalez. She purged her possessions for an around-the-world trip, and continues to embrace a minimalist lifestyle. Shelby tweets about travel, outdoor adventure and fearless living at www.Twitter.com/ShelbyGonzalez.

Shelby writes: As a teenager, I favored what could be described as the “magical flea-market bordello” aesthetic, characterized by an attic bedroom bedecked with dark posters, old velvet drapes, and arrangements of dust-frosted candles and glass bottles studding every horizontal surface.… {Read more}

Where to Donate Your Stuff: 101 Places Your Clutter Can Do Good

In my book, The Joy of Less, I talk about how it’s infinitely easier to declutter when your stuff can serve a good cause:

“Something that’s been sitting in your house, unused and unloved, may bring a great deal of joy to, or fill the genuine need of, someone else. Make their day, and give yourself a pat on the back. Knowing that you’re doing good can make it much easier to part with your stuff.”

With that in mind, I’ve compiled a BIG list of places to donate your discards. Of course, from an environmental standpoint, it’s best to keep your castoffs in your community; the fewer things we ship around the globe, the better.… {Read more}

A Year Ago on miss minimalist

The Minsumer Movement: A Quiet Revolution: “Don’t buy it!” may be an unusual call to arms, but it has the potential to transform our lives, our society and our planet. Like all revolutions, ours is bred by discontent. We’re sick of being slaves to debt and keeping up with the Joneses. We’re tired of working long hours at jobs we don’t like, to pay for things we don’t need. We’re unhappy with the clutter in our homes, and the commercialization of our holidays…{read more}

Minimalist Inspiration: The Story of Stuff: In the spirit of Minsumerism, I wanted to share with you one of my favorite internet videos: The Story of Stuff, by writer and activist Annie Leonard.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Caroline Garnet McGraw

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. (Note: the schedule is now full until June — but if you don’t mind waiting, feel free to send me your submission!)

Today, we have a truly inspirational story from Caroline Garnet McGraw. She tells us about her experiences living and working in a L’Arche community, and reminds us that it’s people, not things, that make our lives remarkable.

Caroline writes:

I’m Caroline Garnet McGraw, real-life minimalist writer behind the new blog, A wish come clear.… {Read more}

Chopping Wood and Carrying Water

I’ve been interviewed countless times over the past year, and frequently asked “What is minimalism?” More often than not, the reporter is looking for something dramatic, something newsworthy, something extreme. And more often than not, my answer disappoints them.

Why? Because in my opinion, minimalism is not about being radical or awesome or extraordinary.

It’s not about reducing your entire life to a hard drive, or interacting with the world through your iPhone.

It’s not about quitting your day job, traveling the world, or selling ebooks from a tropical beach.

It’s not about living in a sleek loft with three pieces of designer furniture.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Mohanalakshmi

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. (Note: the schedule is now full until June — but if you don’t mind waiting, feel free to send me your submission!)

This week, I’m happy to feature Mohanalakshmi, who writes from Qatar. She tells us about how she gave up shopping in 2009, and what she learned from the experience. Please stop by her blog to read more!

Mohanalakshmi writes:

(Re)Learning the Art of Abundance: No New Clothes

I gave up shopping in 2009 as a way to bring this impulse under control and people were kind enough to read along with my (mis)adventures via my blog.… {Read more}

100 Possessions: Glass Tumblers

Once upon a time, my husband and I had a cupboard full of glasses: water glasses, juice glasses, pint glasses, wine glasses, champagne glasses, even whiskey glasses. Name a beverage, and we likely had a special glass for it.

In hindsight, it seems ridiculous – but we hadn’t gone out and purchased them all at once. They just slowly accumulated over the years we lived in our house. Some we bought for daily needs, some we received as gifts, and some we acquired for special occasions.

Some we used every day, and some we used just once or twice a year.… {Read more}

A Year Ago on miss minimalist

Spring Decluttering: So it’s finally here…spring. And you know what that means, don’t you? It’s time for some major decluttering! I’ve always loved this time of year. The cherry trees will soon be in bloom, as well as the Bradford pears, magnolias, and dogwoods. The whole world seems fresh, new, and beautiful—and I want my home to be just as lovely!…{read more}

To Live Content with Small Means…This is My Symphony: Today I’d like to share this quote from William Henry Channing: “To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not, rich; to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart; to study hard; to think quietly, act frankly, talk gently, await occasions, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common–this is my symphony”…{read more}… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Catherine

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. (Note: the schedule is now full until June — but if you don’t mind waiting, feel free to send me your submission!)

This week, it’s my pleasure to introduce you to Catherine. Her story is a beautiful example of how minimalism is about more than decluttering your closets – it’s a wonderful path to self-discovery! Please visit her blog to read more about her journey.

Catherine writes:

My name is Catherine.… {Read more}