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The Story of Cosmetics

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My main reason for pursuing a minimalist lifestyle is that I enjoy an uncluttered environment. Nothing makes me happier than a sparse, open space with little visual distraction. I also love the freedom that results when you don’t have a lot of stuff to worry about, care for, and move around.

However, I also have a second reason for practicing minimalism: I’m worried about the impact of all that stuff on the world and its people. I’m concerned about how the manufacture and disposal of material goods affect the environment, and how the chemicals contained in them affect our health.

With the latter point in mind, I was thrilled to discover Annie Leonard’s latest addition to her Story of Stuff series: The Story of Cosmetics.… {Read more}

Car Sharing 2.0

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Most of you are familiar with the car share programs run by Zipcar, City CarShare, and the like: when you need a set of wheels, you go online, make a reservation, and pick up the car at its designated location.

Car2Go, a subsidiary of German automaker Daimler, has taken this concept one step further. They’re pioneering a program similar to bike sharing: members have access to any car in the network, without a reservation. Furthermore, the cars can be used for one-way trips, and left in any parking space free of charge (no need to return it to its original location).… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Victoria

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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, Victoria tells us about the wonderful freedom that minimalist living affords her. To read more of her thoughts, please visit her blog at Ozarks Crescent Mural.

Victoria writes:

I am a minimalist by nature. I’ve always liked things to be very simple and easy. I noticed this early on when I first moved into my own place. I didn’t like a lot of things and no way was there any excess or clutter.… {Read more}

The Joy of Less, A Minimalist Living Guide

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Today I have some exciting news to share with you: my second book has been published!

It’s called The Joy of Less, A Minimalist Living Guide: How to Declutter, Organize, and Simplify Your Life.

Here’s a look at the front and back covers:

As most of you know, I started this blog after I moved to the UK—a relocation that involved selling most of my possessions, and starting my minimalist life anew.

Before that, however, I was in the same position as many of you: I had too much stuff, and wanted to pare down. My things weighed on me like hundreds of little anchors, draining me of my time, my money, and my energy.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Geoff

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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, Geoff, a university student, shares his story with us. I think it’s wonderful that he’s starting his minimalist journey so early in life! If you’d like to read more of his thoughts, please visit his blog, Happiness & The Fish.

Geoff writes:

I’m a student living 4 hours from home, and that means not many trips home. When I relocate I have to move everything at once. Since I’ve found a place for the next 3 years at school, I decided to move all my stuff with me (not just stuff I need for school, but everything I own: I didn’t want my extra stuff cluttering up my parents’ house).… {Read more}

7 Steps to a Minimalist Wardrobe

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When I decided to pursue a minimalist lifestyle, one of the first areas I tackled was my closet. I had too many clothes that I didn’t wear, and too little space in which to keep them. I wanted a wardrobe that was simple, elegant, and functional — and I wanted to be able to retrieve the pieces, and put them away, without any pushing, pulling, or wrestling.

Over the course of a few months, I pared down my closet to less than half its original contents. I sold quite a number on eBay, gave some to family and friends, and donated the rest.… {Read more}

Minimalist Lessons from a Tea Ceremony

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A few years ago, I participated in a Japanese tea ceremony. It’s a beautiful ritual, and—in my opinion—a wonderful analogy to minimalist living.

In a nutshell, chado (or Way of Tea) is the ceremonial preparation and serving of matcha, powdered green tea. Guests enter the teahouse after walking through a small, contemplative garden and symbolically purifying their hands and mouth with water from a stone basin. To enter the tearoom, they must bow their heads to fit through the small door—meaning all are equal in tea, regardless of social status or position.

After the guests are seated, the host cleanses each utensil, and prepares the tea, in a series of precise, choreographed movements.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: This Tiny Asteroid

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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, I’m happy to present the story of This Tiny Asteroid. To read more about how she balances motherhood and minimalism, please visit her wonderful blog.

This Tiny Asteroid writes:

After graduating from college over ten years ago, I had every intention of following the simple living and minimalist path. My husband and I lived in a studio apartment for five years. We saved money with our cheap rent and spent it on travel.… {Read more}

City Life vs. Country Life

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I’ve lived in cities most of my adult life, and have found them to be quite conducive to my minimalist lifestyle.

For example:

* Being close to large, public libraries eliminates my need to buy books and DVDs; I’d much rather enjoy something once and return it, than have it sit on my shelf for eternity.

* My proximity to museums, cultural institutions, and other venues means I don’t have to outfit my apartment with “entertainment” options, like a big screen TV or video games.

* I have no need to purchase art, as both the Tate and the National Gallery are just a Tube ride away; I’d prefer to stroll through galleries of masterpieces than hang something on my walls.… {Read more}

On Not Collecting

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I often wonder if the urge to collect is hard-wired in the human race, or just something encouraged by our society.

When I was a child, I remember my friends building collections of dolls, coins, baseball cards, comic books, and pop culture/movie memorabilia. I always felt a little left out. I don’t know if it was due to a lack of interest, short attention span, or early minimalist tendencies, but I had zero desire to participate in the collecting trends that were popular at the time (I won’t date myself by naming them!).

When I was a young adult, however, I finally caved to the pressure.… {Read more}