I’m not going to covet other minimalists’ lives anymore.
I don’t travel the world with a single backpack.
I haven’t packed up my family to travel across the country in an RV for a year.
I am not a single woman with a futon, a suitcase and a laptop.
I didn’t choose 600 square feet of dwelling space with a hobby farm ‘round back.
YET, I adore reading about these amazing people and their even more intriguing journeys toward transformation. In perusing books and blogposts, these characters seem like old friends. We’re all rooting for them. Their triumphs and courageous leaps of faith provide the inspiration for our own stories. However, through all this story following, I have found there is not one formula for choosing a simple life…it is not a one-size-fits all t-shirt. No matter what our life looks like, I do believe each and every one of these intentional & devoted people can teach a lesson worth learning.
A kind of minimalism for the rest of us sort of thing.
1) Clear surfaces and uncluttered spaces create calm in the soul.
Disorganization in my environment used to create brain chaos for me. I learned the how-to’s of de-cluttering from almost all of these experienced minimalists and formulated a day-by-day plan to clear out. What a huge difference this had made!
2) Unplug and partake in digital sabbaticals regularly.
I’ve blogged about this before, but I can’t say enough about what this practice has done for my sanity, my kids and my marriage. Here’s a great podcast about what it can do for you.
3) The habit of saying NO can vastly improve your life.
With each and every post I read on this topic from various bloggers, I gain courage and inspiration to say it loud (yet, politely) and often. No to commitments that aren’t passions…no to stuff from family members and friends…no to social situations that make me feel stressed or uncomfortable. This allows the yes’s in that bring mindfulness and happiness.
4) Be realistic about how much entertaining you do in your home.
I got rid of all of the doubles in my closets and cabinets. I found that my army-sized set of champagne glasses all had dust, except two. Party themed decorations are only items taking up real estate in needed cabinet space. I also found that if there happens to be a need for party gear, people are more than happy to lend it to friends.
5) Choose work that you love and your life will improve overall.
At the moment I am not self-employed like many of these simple living experts. I owned my own photography business for 13 years and found it wasn’t fitting my personality. I didn’t have the gift of separating the hustle of entrepreneurship from family life. I’m in awe of people who live on both of those planets successfully—-and even more impressed with people who can do it on the road! After making this realization that I didn’t like working for myself, I decided to go back to teaching. ‘Turns out I adore inspiring 3rd graders—I’ve never been happier in a job. This change alone inspired a lot of my paring down (goodbye closets of equipment!) and simplifying (hello, weekends spent with family). I think the act of simplifying can help you be honest with what is and isn’t working in a career and give you the courage to take the leap required to make it right.
6) Put limits on spending when it comes to offspring.
Although the whine-o-saur-us is alive and well in my house, I do believe my girls will thank me later. They are responsible for the “extras” with their own allowance. I communicate a price I’m comfortable with when it comes to clothes shopping. If my teens want the Cadillac of jeans, they must pay the difference. We show them what our bills are and talk about how important a budget is and have managed to squelch “the gimmees” with service oriented experiences. Somehow the new Nike Free Runs don’t seem as alluring when there are visions of the destitute and neglected in one’s head.
7) A closet with 33 items really can make your morning (& your life) more efficient.
Who knew? Thank you, Courtney, for informing the masses of this little gem. When I first read about Project 333, I hemmed and hawed as I visually took in my overstuffed closet. I whittled it down in the course of a month. I just got real about what was actually being worn and I made up a fantasy 3 month Airstream itinerary and pulled out all the items I thought I could fit in our Twinkie’s small closet. With the items laid on the bed, I had to laugh because it consisted of all my favorites…my 20%-worn-80%-of-the-time clothes. Then I gave myself a “have courage” speech–it’s all going in a box, not the Goodwill pile, for crying out loud—and I stood back to admire the extra space.
8) Choose quality over quantity.
The juicer, cutting knife, running shoes, winter coat, purse and lipstick (among many other things) were condensed down to one quality purchase per category. Less stuff, but stuff that will last. Joshua Becker’s The Simple Joy of One is a great post that I took to heart.
9) Food and exercise can be simplified for maximum health.
I let go of the the gym membership in lieu of my nifty efficient work-out space in the garage. All expensive “healthy snacks” (which are really just pre-packaged fare camouflaged in a Whole Food setting) were banished. We eat raw food–nuts, dried fruit, jerky, tons of veges & fruit–and it has really kept us well this year. As an elementary school teacher who’s been back in the classroom for one year, I’ve gotten one cold. I believe in green juice and I’m doing my best to help everyone in our home believe it too. Love The Minimalists take on diet and exercise.
10) Invest in experiences instead of things.
As a family we have made a decision to travel as much as we can. Whether it’s in our Airstream or by plane, I believe it’s important enough to require a separate travel savings account. Luxury cars and second homes were never going to enter the picture with our family—it has always been going places and doing things (that and good Thai food eating experiences). I like this Huffington Post article on the subject.
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What tips have brought you joy in your journey to simple? Which ones made the most difference?
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theextraordinarysimplelife 
very nice post…
Reblogged this on Michael Somers and commented:
This makes me ponder how to include more minimalism into my very cluttered life.
Thank you, Michael! I appreciate it.
So true!
Reblogged this on Milieu de la Moda.
Thank you. I appreciate the share!
Oh! I loved the power of saying NO.
That’s become my favorite one. Once I learned it, I said it often 🙂
🙂
I’ve tried to keep things simple by learning that I can feel the joy of wanting without possessing.
I’ve been using my “wish list” button on Amazon instead of the shopping cart. I will have really succeeded when I don’t look at Amazon at all 😉
Reblogged this on Being an Author and commented:
These ideas will help authors too!
Absolutely! When I wrote my photography book the power of “no” helped keep me focused on the job at hand. Thanks for sharing!
Well said! Just reading some of those gave me that ‘exhale’ feeling.
I like that—I need to live in a state of exhaling more often.
I think this sort of lifestyle would lead to more overall kindness, were it adopted by more of us. I’ve found that breaking the habit of being a consumer has been one of the more difficult things to do, aside from really getting rid of the things that weren’t necessary. I actually grew up with parents who were hoarders and having seen that build up of useless stuff first hand really served as an impetus for me to do the opposite. I find so much more freedom in having less though. Great post!
Thank you! I, too, havea parent who accumulates a lot of stuff…I think that was a big part of me heading in this direction. The more I let go, the freer I felt. Funny how that happens! Best to you in your journey!
If you heard some random cheering from somewhere don’t worry, that was just me 🙂 Absolutely fantastic post–thank you!
I looove random cheering! Thanks, Kelly 🙂 So glad you read it and liked it. Best to you!
Reblogged this on maliseetlady and commented:
Love these suggestions
Thank you for the reblog 🙂
I love this. I also love to read the articles and blogposts written by minimalists, and have gleaned certain tidbits that I’ve successfully applied to our life. It’s nice to read your list as a re-inspiration, as it sounds like our families share some similarities. Thanks for the reminder to simplify in ways that make sense for us.
Love your blog—your baby is beautiful. Really love your wedding photo–you lovelies look so happy. Best to your sweet family-L
digital sabbaticals ..love the term! Brilliant article
I don’t know if it is Spring, or just my random attack of minimalism wishful thinking (hits every so often) but I have been craving a clear-out of items. We lost our shed a few years ago in a hurricane, and our attic isn’t great for storage. No basement. I’ve found it is difficult to be a minimalist with artistic hobbies–stuff seems to stockpile everywhere whether you want it or not.
I regularly pare down my things, and the Girls when she isn’t around to freak out about it. This year instead of presents I am going to propose a 2 day trip for Christmas–just us, off by ourselves. Might be fun!
Oh, don’t I know about the freak out! My girls worry about me getting into the “pitching mood”…as in pitching things that have not been used/worn/eaten. Sorry to hear about your shed, but isn’t it funny how little we think about our multitudes of stuff when we have ample space? I so need to pretend like I don’t have an attic—it would force me to re-evaluate. Thanks for stopping by!
Reblogged this on an actress from the burnt down theatre and commented:
This is the way to go
I really connect with #8. I always say “buy once, cry once”. Get the best quality product and you are set. Great read!
“Buy once, cry once” –love that, Landon! Thanks for stopping by.
Each a great lessons to adopt into our over packed lives. Thank you for this helpful list and reminder!
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Nice
mechanicalsolution.wordpress.com
Well said! The older I get the more I appreciate that a life simplified and enriched with memorable experience leads to greater fulfillment
That’s a great quote—sometimes I’m a bit sad that I didn’t understand this whole thing sooner. Ah, the money and time I would’ve saved! It’s all a means to an end, right? Thanks for visiting!
Your article is quite inspiring. I learned to wear the same thin when I go hiking or to the gym – it makes a easy decision. I learned to plan meals before I go shopping. i learned to do a clean-up in my kids clothing and give it away…..
I think you summed it up in a word. Planning. Whether it’s wardrobe, meals or house stuff, I plan for what’s going to happen next. It helps me to feel calm. That and limiting choices. Love the one-workout-outfit idea. Makes sense to me!
I hope to have time to read more on your older posts. tks for sharing your great ideas and tks for your reply.
interesting
I agree to everything and point no. 10 without a doubt. I have been pondering of opening a bank account for travel alone. Yet to open one but will do it soon.
I did that same thing. It helps to keep those dreams alive!
Thanks for an inspiring and hard-hitting honest post 🙂
wow nice place i hope to go there
Reblogged this on empty vessels.
I love all of these ideas!!! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you – I have been reading minimalist post for a bit now, feeling like I would never do it “right” – This post allowed me to realize I can do my own minimalism – my way. Now to start, it may be slow for me, but it will be – closet pare down and no new clothes or shoes, etc for 3 months. . . Thank you for getting me to start this journey!
I felt that way too and just wanted to write about it. There is no pre-set way to by minimalist—our lives are all so different! I started slowly and am just now getting momentum. Here’s to your pare down and how great it will make you feel!
After getting married, my husband and I have spent numerous weekends organizing and designating piles of stuff to give or throw away. What a freeing feeling! We love our pared down apartment and simple space. I’m with you on the regular clutter-clearing sprees! They feel so good. Thanks for your message!
We did the opposite 18 years ago…somehow the wedding gifts morphed into more and more stuff! How awesome you’re figuring it out early. Good for you guys!
Reblogged this on My Personal, Professional and Spiritual Development Review Blog and commented:
Great ideas here.
Really inspiring, now I’m off to decluttering my cabinet again. Congrats on the FP!
Thank you! Somehow I have visit my cabinets (and desk drawers!) more than once a month. How does this happen? It’s mystery–like where all of my socks go to hide in the laundry 🙂 Best to you!
Great post. I liked #9. May not be popular to say it but I dumped the gym membership too…bought a used bicycle and now enjoy a ride in the fresh air. Same goes for diet as you noted.
Reblogged this on Penny-Wise Sisters.
Great advice!
Nice post
Thank you for your post.
Reblogged this on lemondemonamour.
Awesome advice!
Thanks for the great timely post. Its spring cleaning time so ill try some of them. I cleaned the wardrobe out last year and it was the best feeling. With a very honest friend to help with the culling I tried on every item of clothing I had starting with my favorites. Managed to clear out 6 sacs in total to the charity shop.
Ah, yes…enter the honest friend to help us look our best. I have one of those too and it has saved me from some jeans catastrophes! Good for you for clearing out so much.
I love this! #10 is my new motto. All we take with us is memories.
And it’s up to us to make those memories amazing—I love that quote (something like) “were the choices you made for past times today worth trading a day of your life for?”…because we really are, aren’t we?
Great post! I’m really impressed by the quality of the discussion you’ve inspired, too! I formerly worked as a professional organizer, and all your advice is absolutely spot-on. Speaking as someone who’s worked with a number of hoarders, I have to say that it makes me really happy to read your post as well as comments from readers who’ve found realistic and workable ways to incorporate minimalist ideas into their lives. Less junk, more goodness–yay!
My stepsister works with hoarders as an organizer and she says there is nothing more gratifying than seeing something break through and realize it’s not about the stuff. It is exciting to see people gravitating toward simplicity, isn’t it? ‘Makes me so happy to read about others’ journeys into this land of paring down.
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Best place to rest
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