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Real Life Minimalists: Brian

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, I’m excited to feature Brian, who tells us about his experiences living in an ecovillage. After reading about his community–and how it’s tailor-made for the minimalist lifestyle–I’m dreaming about moving in!

Brian writes:

Almost three years ago now my partner and I left the wonderful, expensive cacophony that is New York City behind.… {Read more}

More Minimalist Wardrobe Musings

I was planning to write a deep, philosophical post on minimalism this week…but to be honest, I just wasn’t in a pensive mood. I am once again “between homes,” and the burden of dragging around my possessions between various hotels and sublets has inspired musings of a more practical nature.

I’m going to stay on the topic of wardrobe this week, as it constitutes the bulk of my baggage at the moment. In particular, I’ve been fantasizing about items that would enable me to reduce my load even more. And foremost in my fantasies are ultra-versatile items that address all my needs in a single package.… {Read more}

A Year Ago on miss minimalist

Study: Experiences Bring More Happiness Than Stuff: If you asked me to name my favorite “purchases,” I’d be much more likely to rattle off vacations I’ve taken, operas and ballets I’ve seen, and nice dinners I’ve had — rather than any things that I’ve bought. Well, it seems I’m not the only one. A new study shows that experience-related purchases, rather than material ones, bring more happiness to the consumer…{read more}

Minimalist Flooring: Carpet Tiles: I love a bare floor as much as the next minimalist. However, sometimes an area rug is desirable — to delineate a section of a room, add a touch of color, or simply provide some warmth underfoot.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: James

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 May — but if you don’t mind waiting, feel free to send me your submission!)

This week we hear from James, who writes from upstate New York. He’s taken time off from shoveling his driveway, to share some words of wisdom about living with less in the frozen north.

James writes:

My name is James, and I was born and raised in upstate New York, a place with all 4 seasons and a very long winter.… {Read more}

The Minimalist Wardrobe (aka The 10-Item Wardrobe)

One of the most frequent questions I’m asked is how to create a minimalist wardrobe; and boy, do I love to answer it! I devoted an entire chapter of my book, The Joy of Less, to the topic; however, some readers have expressed the desire to see my tips in action.

Ask, and you shall receive –- in this post, I’ll illustrate some key strategies using items straight from my own closet.

(Men, don’t stop reading; although the clothes pictured are my own, the tips are gender-inclusive!)

What I’ve done is selected my core, or capsule wardrobe: ten items that can get me through the majority of my daily activities, in every season.… {Read more}

A Note of Thanks

Last November, I published A Big Thank You to all the bloggers who had reviewed my book, The Joy of Less. They helped put my little tome on minimalist living on the map, and I’m forever grateful for their kindness.

I’m happy to have reason to pen yet another note of thanks, to those who have reviewed it since. I’m continually surprised and delighted at the generous spirit of my fellow bloggers, and am so thankful to be part of a community that thrives on cooperation rather than competition.

So without further ado, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the following people:

1.… {Read more}

A Year Ago on miss minimalist

Minimalist Philosophy: To Walk Away, Empty-Handed: Today I’d like to share one of my favorite quotes, from Henry Thoreau’s Walden: “It is desirable that a man […] live in all respects so compactly and preparedly that, if an enemy take the town, he can, like the old philosopher, walk out the gate empty-handed without anxiety.” I’ve often wondered, if the place I live was suddenly struck by political unrest or natural disaster, could I walk out the door and leave everything behind?…{read more}

Minimalist Home: Naked Windows: When it comes to home décor, there are few things I love more than naked windows.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Laura

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 May — but if you don’t mind waiting, feel free to send me your submission!)

Today, I’m excited to share Laura’s story with you. She tells us about her experience of moving halfway around the globe with her husband and four children — and how minimalist living has enhanced their adventure!

Laura writes:

A once in a lifetime opportunity arises for your family to move halfway around the world for a job for which you are perfectly suited and and a great adventure for the rest of the family.… {Read more}

Decluttering 101: To Sell or Not to Sell

Lately, I’ve received several emails from readers who are anxious to declutter their stuff. The problem: they don’t know whether to cart it to the charity shop, or painstakingly sell it piece by piece.

Oh, I’ve been there.

I know just how you feel: gazing at your mountain of discards, and seeing all the dollars that should be in your bank account. Hoping you can recoup even a fraction of the cost, to make up for your mistakes. Dreading the weeks (or months) of photographing your items, writing descriptions of them on eBay, answering emails about them, and hunting down boxes to ship them out.… {Read more}

A Year Ago on miss minimalist

Minimalist Design, Danish Style: This past weekend my husband and I visited Copenhagen, an incredibly beautiful city. It was also incredibly cold, so in order to keep warm, we spent more time than usual going in and out of shops. We had a wonderful time browsing the local housewares and furnishings stores. We’ve always been drawn to the Danish design aesthetic, as we find its clean lines and simple forms quite appealing. We’ve been using simple glass Bodum coffee mugs for years, and our former sofa (currently in storage back in the States) was made by a small Danish company…{read more}

The Minimalist Linen Closet: If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you’ve probably noticed that my subject matter drifts from the profound to the mundane, from the philosophical to the practical.… {Read more}