Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of anything that distracts us from it. It requires a conscious decision because it is a countercultural lifestyle that stands against the culture of overconsumption that surrounds us.
The world we live in is not friendly to the pursuit of minimalism. Its tendencies and relentless advertising campaigns call us to acquire more, better, faster, and newer. The journey of finding simplicity requires consistent inspiration.
For that reason, I hope you will make an effort this weekend to find a quiet moment with a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy some of these hand-picked articles to encourage more simplicity in your life.
Paring Down Your Life | Zen Habits by Leo Babauta. At its core, paring down is about contemplating what you want to cultivate in your life, and what you’d like to remove.
How Living Small Lets Me Dream Big | The Art of Simple by Holly Wielkoszewski. The more I’ve let go of, the more I’ve seen my desire to consume shrink to fit my space.
How to Convince Someone You Live With to Get Rid of Their Stuff | Lifehacker by Patrick Allan. Whether it’s a ratty old recliner your spouse won’t give up, an overabundance of cookware in the kitchen, or a collection of weird posters your roommate hung in your living room, there are ways to compromise when it’s time for a thorough cleaning.
I Declutter Homes For a Living. I Hate Free Stuff | The Washington Post by Nicole Anzia. Is it time to rethink freebies? (Be advised: there are some limitations on the number of free Washington Post articles you can read per month).
Should You Sell or Donate Your Excess Stuff? | Joshua Becker on Video. (3:28)
I loved the article by Patrick Allan on how to convince someone you live with to get rid of stuff. I do all those things in his article but I believe my husband is a hoarder. Not to the extent his family was or we would be divorced by now. So I’ve been slowing working on my stuff. Every time I need help with boxes he wants to go through them to see it I’m getting rid of his stuff. I’m exhausted and overwhelmed. I haven’t work on anything in about 6 months and wanted to make a good dent before the end of the year.
So I’ve decided that all the bins I’m emptying, I’ll just have him put his stuff in. Pile them up in the basement. My goal is to have an almost empty basement with just his bins. No matter how many bins he has they are not mine and not my problem.
Today, that’s the compromise we agreed on. Not everyone can do it and right now he can’t. I can live with that.
Thank you for these articles, they have helped me tremendously!
I do a lot of crafts and people give me things they think I can use. I sort it as soon as I get it. If I will use it in the next 6 months I keep it. Otherwise I will give it to someone who can use it right away or give it away or recycle it. Everything has to have a purpose. My condo is too small for garbage bags full of junk. I have a tool box for each craft and supplies are stored flat or in closed bins. A friend has so much paper and fabric she wanted to put an addition on her house.T
Minimalism requires a conscious decision
Love this! Thanks for sharing!
I have discovered that fall is a good time for me to sort through the stuff in our house and garage. Soon I will be inside for more hours. Less to distract me away from the enjoyment of the cooler weather, the better. Knitting and sewing for our granddaughter, and reading books for our review blog can be better without the distractions.
Could you do a post of how to cope with other people making fun of your Minimalist lifestyle? Family, Friends etc. Sometimes it get’s to me.
What are they saying Victoria?
Just degrading the lifestyle, some of these people I don’t see often so I haven’t had the chance to say my main points on the topic but I feel people are quick to knock down the Minimalist lifestyle. I should just stand my ground because I knew going into this lifestyle wasn’t going to be easy. And who cares what they think? By the way, being a reader for 2 years, this blog is like an accepting family.
Victoria, I had a similar situation with friends and family. Time marched on and my sister, who jokingly made fun of my constant clearing out asked me to please visit for awhile and help her downsize, donate and conduct a yard sale. Every time she feels overwhelmed with stuff she calls and says HELP. Last week a dear friend called me after she and her husband sold their house and were heading to settlement. She said the whole process was overwhelming and they couldn’t believe what they had accumulated in 25 years of never clearing out. She said she wished she had followed my example and started the process 3 years ago. It turns out 1 year wasn’t enough time and they were overwhelmed as they grew closer to the settlement date. They ended up paying for a huge dumpster. Stick to your plan, no matter what the quality of your life will be so much better.
Thank you, I needed this. It seems like the people who make fun of this lifestyle will never ask for help but maybe they will. And I shall turn the other cheek and help even after the making fun. It just gets to me sometimes that how could people not see all the benefits of minimalism. But I never waiver, don’t worry. In fact it makes me stronger.
your opinion is the only one that you should be concerned with unless you’re hurting yourself. let others live their and enjoy yours.