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10 Steps to a Minimalist Office

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After purging all my office supplies when we moved overseas, I was determined to keep my new workspace as simple and streamlined as possible. Not only do I work better in an uncluttered environment; I don’t want to accumulate anything extra by the next time we move!

Here’s ten techniques to keep things to a minimum:

1. Stop incoming paperwork. Get off mailing lists, cancel magazine subscriptions, and sign up for online billing and statements. The less physical mail you have to deal with (and file), the better!

2. Digitize existing paperwork. Sure, a scanner is one more piece of office equipment; but it’ll probably take up less space than the paperwork it replaces!… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Sarah

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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, Sarah shares her story with us. I love her honesty about her struggles with consumerism (we’ve all been there!), and her determination to continue on a minimalist path.

Sarah writes:

Ever since I was little, I’ve had a love/hate relationship with “stuff.” Acquiring it gives me a thrill, having it when I need or want it gives me a feeling of security and control, but having it in my space grates on my nerves!… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Gil

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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, it’s my pleasure to bring you Gil’s story. Dissatisfied with the amount of “stuff” in his life, Gil set out to purge three-quarters of his possessions. I’m so glad he’s decided to share his experience with us!

Gil writes:

I could say my own path to minimalism started not only as a desire to downsize my personal possessions, but also to take the focus off of said items and project it onto those things which are much greater and bigger than me.… {Read more}

Minimalist Architecture – Helsinki and Tallinn

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When my husband and I travel, we love to walk the streets of foreign cities and admire the architecture. We’ve seen it all: from the Art Nouveau apartment houses of Prague, to the neon skyscrapers in Hong Kong, to the Gothic cathedrals in almost every European country. What we don’t see very often: minimalist buildings.

Therefore, I was delighted to encounter some lovely examples on a recent trip to Helsinki and Tallinn (a 2-hour ferry ride across the Gulf of Finland). After spending the last several months gazing at elaborate turrets, intricate stonework, and churches carved with every manner of saint, sinner, and gargoyle, the Scandinavian architecture was a breath of fresh air.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Jan

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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 a wonderful submission from Jan. She explains why she started on her minimalist journey, and describes the progress she’s made so far. If you’d like to learn more, please visit her blog, Finallygettingtoeven.com.

Jan writes:

My place on the roadway of this minimalist life so far:

I got my financial house in order, finally seeing things for what they were and had become and how weighted down personally I was from the debt load that I was carrying upon my shoulders on a daily basis.… {Read more}

Nothing to Steal

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My husband and I travel a lot, and people sometimes ask us if we worry about our apartment while we’re gone. Our answer: not particularly. The reason: we have nothing to steal.

Sure, we have stuff—clothing, kitchenware, books, and a few pieces of furniture. However, I can’t imagine anyone wanting any of it. And if they need it so badly that they have to steal it, they probably need it more than we do.

Anything we have of value—like our iPods, cell phones, cash, and wedding rings—is almost always with us.

The only thing I’d even come close to “worrying about” is my laptop.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: Deb

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Every Monday (when I have participants) 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’m happy to present Deb’s story. I think it’s a wonderful example of how we can continue on our minimalist journeys, even when our personal circumstances make it a little more challenging.

Deb writes:

My name is Deb. At 57 I’m still working to reduce the things I live with. I have been a minimalist most of my life. Unfortunately, I was raised by two pack rats.… {Read more}

Ancient Minimalist Wisdom

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I used to think that being fed up with “stuff” was a symptom of modern times. Globalization has made material goods inexpensive and widely available, and satisfying our consumer desires has become almost too easy.

However, philosophers have been railing against materialism for millenia — well before megamarts and “everyday low prices” came on the scene.

I thought I’d share some of this ancient minimalist wisdom with you today. First, because I think it’s inspirational, and second, because I have a thing for philosophers (in my book, brains are much sexier than brawn!).

I’ll be on the road for a few days, so hope these deep thoughts will tide you over until I return.… {Read more}

Real Life Minimalists: A Working Rachel

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Every Monday (when I have participants) 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 don’t have anyone scheduled after today’s post, so I’d love to receive more stories. I know there are more Real Life Minimalists out there — don’t be shy! :-)

Today, A Working Rachel tells us about her minimalist lifestyle, and her own experiment with the 100 Thing Challenge. She also writes about personal finance on her blog — check it out to learn more!

A Working Rachel writes:

Hi, I’m Working Rachel.… {Read more}

Minimalist Living: 100 Things I Don’t Own

Thank you so much for visiting!

If you’re interested in minimalist living, I think you’ll enjoy the following posts:

Minimalist Living: Questioning the Couch Minimalist Living: Life Without a TV Minimalist Furniture: The Bare Essentials What’s in a Minimalist Kitchen? My Tiny Apartment Tour: Minimalist Bedroom How to Create a Minimalist Bathroom The Minimalist Linen Closet 10 Steps to a Minimalist Office 7 Steps to a Minimalist Wardrobe The Minsumer Movement: A Quiet Revolution… {Read more}