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Real Life Minimalists: Trina from Beginner Beans

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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 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}

Real Life Minimalists: Elizabeth B.

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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 was so happy to receive this submission from Elizabeth B. What a wonderful, generous alternative to a bridal registry!

Elizabeth B. writes:

I came across minimalism during the most non-minimalist time of most people’s lives: while engaged to be married. Between bridal showers, the bachelorette party, and the wedding itself, the amount of stuff one can accumulate during this time can be overwhelming. It can feel especially burdensome if you and husband-to-be are not ready to settle down, buy a house, and subsequently fill that house with non-essential household items.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Starlet Rose

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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, Starlet Rose tells us how minimalism gave her the freedom and confidence to conquer her anxiety problems. She’s currently chronicling her journey and interests on her blog.

Starlet Rose writes:

I wasn’t born a minimalist. I was always organised but I wanted to collect something. I suffered anxiety problems from being young and suffered social phobia as a teen. By the time of fourteen I felt to terrified to leave the house in case I met ‘someone,’ saw me.… {Read more}

A Minimalist Mother’s Day

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Fortunately, my Plumblossom is too young to shower me with knick knacks or other gifts this Mother’s Day—she’ll be sticking with some sweet smiles and little coos (all I could ask for!).

But infants aren’t the only ones who can honor their mothers in minimalist fashion; so for the rest of us, I’ve put together a list of no-clutter ways to show our love:

1. Cook your mom a delicious meal. You can put together breakfast-in-bed, an elegant brunch, or a special dinner (even if you’re not a culinary whiz, she’ll appreciate your efforts!)

2. Take your mom to the park, or local horticultural center, to admire the spring blooms.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Sarah Circus Nachos

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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 Sarah Circus Nachos, who’s using her minimalism to work through a difficult period in her life. Visit her blog to read more of her story.

Sarah writes:

Minimalism seems very natural to me. From a very young age, I loved traveling and I really loved packing up for a big trip. Over time, I realized that the less I packed, the easier it would be to move through airports, hotels, and strange cities.… {Read more}

My Minimalist Filing System

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Now that I have a permanent address, I once again have a mailbox. Yikes! I forgot how much paperwork can flow into your life through that little rectangular compartment.

To keep things under control, I’ve been employing the strategies I wrote about in The Minimalist Mailbox: things like signing up for online billing, keeping my name off catalog lists, and putting a freeze on my credit report.

However, some papers still make it through my defenses (and with a mortgage, child, and business, there are some I’m obligated to keep). And for that, I’ve devised a minimalist filing system which I’ll share with you today.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Becky L.

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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 submission from Becky L., who tells us about her annual purge—something I also love to do each January!

Becky writes:

I married a minimalist, and he had a curious past-time in January of each year, of going through everything he owned. A consummate hiker and backpacker, he’d go through all his gear and fix, mend, and discard. He’d toss any book on the shelf that he hadn’t read that year, mend or toss clothes that were getting worn, and took a look at hobby paraphernalia that no longer suited him – an ice axe for technical climbing, jig saw puzzles, books on birding in New Zealand – and sent them out the door.… {Read more}

A Kinder, Gentler Minimalism

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Up until now, I’ve practiced a rather extreme form of minimalism: living in tiny spaces, and carting around all my worldly possessions in a duffel bag.

But with my recent lifestyle changes (a new baby and a home purchase), I’ve given up my membership in the globetrotting, minimalist elite. I’m now ready to explore a kinder, gentler minimalism: one that will (hopefully) be relevant to a wider range of my readers.

My husband and I used to be able to get by with a pair of chairs and a coffee table, and just enough dinnerware for the two of us.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Kate Carpenter

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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’d like to introduce you to Kate Carpenter, whose minimalist journey led her to a career as a writer. Be sure to visit her website to learn more about her books!

Kate writes:

My first year of college, I read a book called Living Poor with Style by Ernest Callenbach and it changed my life. For 40 years (I’m 58 now), I’ve been a “minimalist” but didn’t know what to call myself!… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Lydia

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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 hear from Lydia, who tells us how minimalism is helping her embrace a fabulous opportunity to study abroad!

Lydia writes:

I’ve always considered myself something of a minimalist. Even when I was a kid, I felt overwhelmed by “too much stuff”, and was happiest with just a few favorite toys and outfits. As an adult, I love sharing an apartment with a bunch of roommates, and I’ve never had more stuff than could fit in my bedroom (not counting my car, of course!).… {Read more}