Editor’s Note: This is a guest post from Linda Sand.
My husband and I followed the traditional path to the American Dream. As our income increased, so did the size of our home. At one point, three of us lived in a four-bedroom house with both living room and family room as well as an amusement room and three baths.
We started out as a young couple with cheap, mostly particle board furniture. But we added to it. Then we upgraded until we had a house full of mostly teak furniture of Scandinavian design, supplemented by oak furniture and barrister bookcases.
It was way more house than we needed, even though it didn’t seem too big at the time.
After our daughter left home, we moved into a few smaller houses and then we retired. At that point, we decided to move into a motorhome to facilitate roaming around this great country, seeing the sights and enjoying their historical significance.
We sold nearly everything we owned including our house and both cars. The little bit we kept fit into a small 5′ x 5′ storeroom.
And then we traveled the countryside. Gettysburg in July is hot—I felt sorry for the soldiers who fought there wearing wool uniforms. We watched people demonstrate things like bread baking by a fire, making ropes, or building wooden boats—all those things were a fun way to learn about our country’s history.
We traveled through all of the 48 contiguous states, stopping at museums, National Parks and Monuments, living history sites, and places where we could enjoy nature.
We traveled for several years… until we decided the community we left behind was more important to us that the sights we were seeing. Yes, experiences are a great way to learn and build memories, but relationships need maintenance to be healthy and we’d been neglecting our community for too long.
We sold the motorhome and moved back home—into an apartment rather than a house. We felt freed from the need to maintain a house and we’d become used to not having a lot of space.
Somewhere along the way, we’d become used to not having the “best” furniture. So, we thought intentionally about what we actually needed in our new apartment and ordered it from IKEA to be delivered. It was the easiest move we ever made!
A one-bedroom apartment is plenty of room for us and our new furniture is particle board once again. But that works for us. We could live differently, but there’s nothing about our current living situation we want to change. This time, we chose it.
It’s taken a lot of years and we’ve covered a lot of miles, but we’ve come to realize we don’t need much and there are more important things in life than constantly needing to upgrade the size of our home or the quality of our furniture.
Minimalism is a lifestyle that is growing among all age groups—including mine.
I know nobody gets to go back and start life over again. But here are some of the most important lessons I have learned. Maybe someone younger can learn from us:
Housing: The first house we bought was small. Just barely big enough for three of us. As the years went on, like I mentioned, we bought larger and larger houses, and fancier furnishings, and more vehicles as we attempted to reach the American Dream. Now we are retired and living in a small one-bedroom apartment with one small car. And we are happier here than we were in any of those bigger houses. It brings us joy to live with just what we actually use.
Education: Neither my husband or I went to college right out of high school. Eventually, we realized not having a degree was going to limit our career options, so my husband used his GI benefits to go to college. He worked full time and went to school half time for eight years. We saw little of each other during those years, but they led him to a career change into a field where he actually enjoyed working and where he made good money. If he had tried college right after high school, he would not have discovered his career (it wasn’t even a thing yet). Sometimes, postponing your education can be a good thing. There are plenty of non-traditional routes to a fulfilling life.
Finances: We have enough money to live well now, but that was not always the case. Discharged from the army with a three month old baby meant taking a pay cut of nearly fifty percent. We quickly learned we did not need to buy clothes—except for the growing baby… but she didn’t mind her clothes coming from a thrift shop. We learned how to eat well on cheap foods. We learned how to have fun with friends and family without a lot of expense. And, even though we can afford more now, we still have few clothes and prefer cheap entertainment. We do appreciate being able to support public television now after those early years of our daughter watching Sesame Street, Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood, etc. Being able to give back now in gratitude for all those who gave when we couldn’t is wonderful!
Travel: For many years, we were campers—vacationing in tents, trailers, motorhomes, and conversion vans. We even lived in a motorhome full time for three years as we explored this great country. We took ocean cruises. We traveled through Europe and England. Traveling broadens your perspective. For one thing, you realize there are many ways to live and all of them are right for someone. But, I must say, nothing beats coming back home to friends and family!
Parenting: We raised our daughter to think that different was good and that following the crowd was seldom rewarding. She resented us at times for not being as materialistic as her friends’ families were. But learning to follow her own path led her to a job that is right for her. And now she is happy to have learned to be herself. I’m proud of the lessons she learned—even though they were difficult to teach at times.
So what about you? Who are you really and what would make you happy? Probably not materialism.
Minimalism may help you discover what’s really important to you and how you’d prefer to live your life. And then, it will give you the time and money to do those things.
We’ve learned that to be true in our life—and it can be true in yours as well.
About Joshua Becker
What a fantastic post! I found our family reflected in so many of the circumstances presented by you! Thank you for sharing the nectar of your beautiful life. I will certainly keep my heart open to your advise and share it with my husband. Thank you!
“I know nobody gets to go back and start life over again.”
So thank you, Linda, for imparting the lessons you’ve learned over the years so that people like me who are just getting started can benefit.
What a wonderful read. THANK YOU
I’m stuck with a quote someone once said to me “Poor people have poor ways”. I guess I could have replied “and Minimal people have Smart ways”.
I’m turning 60 and my generation was always trying to keep up with the Jones and if you didnt…. you were Poor. Oh how times have evolved.
Thank you for your article, Linda. My husband and I are 59. I’m retired and he is not, but we’ve already downsized to a 900 sq ft apartment and we love it. As you said, most people do not understand what they see as “going backwards,” and think we must be having financial trouble. Downsizing has actually given us the ability to save and give more, which is so wonderful.
We didn’t discard everything we owned; we simply kept the best of it all, and now our home is filled with quality items (some of which we’ve owned for decades) that we love.
My 90-ish parents-in-law are still hanging on to their huge, packed house and 9 acres which they can no longer care for, but will not hear of moving anyplace smaller. They don’t seem to realize that their deteriorating property will be quite the burden for their children and grandchildren some day. I definitely don’t want my things to be a burden to my kids. If only we could all figure out that who we are doesn’t depend on what we own!
I so enjoyed your post. We are down sizing & I actually find it FUN. What is interesting is checking with children to see what they would like of ours in the future. Very surprising sometimes.
Thank you for your wisdom.
Hi all,
I am 41. Minimalism served me well. I only know about minimalism a few years back. I think that life can be that simple. One tend to look at what others have without looking at the current own possessions.
I have since reduced the things in my possession and lead a simple life. Simplicity is the best as per my perspective. Life is that complicated and it makes sense in making it simple and minimalist.
My two cents worth of views.
WTK
Thank you for sharing. I’m a young mom also from MN and really appreciated your article.
You have a talent for distilling lessons learned from life experiences and offering them as gifts to your readers, Linda. I am grateful. Thank you!
I’m still new to the whole minimalism lifestyle and finding it difficult to get on track and stay on track. I have collected, received as gifts, and bought so much stuff over the years (will be 70 in a few months) that it feels like climbing a mountain so I enjoy reading about the journey that others have taken to achieve their goal. I am really enjoying downsizing, I just have to stay focused.
Thanks, Tammy. I think the captain introduced us. I find your tiny apartment inspiring as well. It’s good to find someone near our own age who “gets” us.
I’m thrilled with all the commenters who seem to get me as well. I wish I could answer each of them but the system says I’m posting too much so I had to quit doing that. I hope this one goes through so you all will know I’m not ignoring you. Thank you for all the support.
I am proud to be able to call this wonderful lady my friend.
I can’t even remember how or when we discovered each other’s blogs long ago. but I’m so glad we did.
minimalism at our age (I’m older at 74!) is rather rare apparently. and yet to me it has always seemed as simple and beautiful as breathing fresh cool air. that’s how it makes me feel! like a cool fresh clean morning. easy and serene.
house cleaning is so simple and quick. you just have things you need. not countless ‘dust catchers’ sitting everywhere!
I lived a nomadic childhood with constant moving so minimalism was ingrained at a young age. In earlier days I always felt out of step with my friends. I’m so happy to have passed that stage and that I was able to marry a man who seemed to enjoy my minimalist ways. kudos to you dearest friend for writing such an uplifting and inspiring message! so many of today’s problems could be solved if people just realized that the ‘dream’ is not in STUFF! and it never was. and it never will be. it’s in love. and nature. and friendship. as the ancient Roman wise man said “it takes very little to make a good life!”
I’m so very glad that you are my friend. bless you Linda!
Dear Ms. Linda Sand,
Your article is the first one on minimalism I’ve ever read written by a person in your age group.
Vast majority of minimalism writings are by generations who (almost) have to live economically like millennials or middle age adults inundated with downsizing parents’ possessions.
You must be making the great influence on senior citizens who are oblivious to the consequences their possessions could cause.
Thank you and enjoy the summer in Minnesota!
I look back, now 65, and realize the intentional choice we made to not have a big home ( manfactured home with partocle board furniture and thrify store things) was right. Our resources went into traveling with our son and providing experiences for him. He is now a bilingual person, globally smart, empathetic, and enriched. Now we inherited my parents excellent furniture at 62 ( the upgrade)! However it is expensive and bulky! So will have to downgrade as it is much too big and heavy, albeit beautiful.
Excellent post. I like how you described your outlook throughout the stages of life. We are currently winding down the parenting stage, with our youngest entering his junior year of high school. We have discussed the RV life but I don’t want to spend my life traveling and missing out on enjoying relationships with family and friends. Downsizing is the ultimate goal.
This was such a lovely, inspiring post, Linda. I am pushing 70 with no children and I have been trying for years to lighten my load so as to not leave a burden for anyone behind me. I find that I want everything lighter….(as in light Weight!) ..lighter furniture, and if it’s on rollers, that’s even better; lighter dishes and mixing bowls, lighter clothing. Perhaps because I am not as strong, lighter is just better. Many of my antique pieces fit the bill perfectly.
And I want to continue to lighten the load, as well, so that the older I get the less I have. In the end, perhaps I will be down to the last few favorite things. That’s my goal.
Love your article so much. I’m only 38, love travelling but the joy of travelling is starting to wear off. I just want a simple walk in the park now.
This is excellent. It is full of lessons I need to learn and get rid of all of the uncessary things in my life and home. Thank you for this article! I wish this appeared on open facebook so all my friends could see it! Again thank you!
Love this post! It’s nice to hear your perspective on a simple retirement with a smaller living space. I often think we should have stayed in our starter home :)
I have often wondered if it was the builders and realtors who coined the phrase “starter home” so we would feel pressure to move into larger, more expensive homes? :-)
You’re hitting the point, dear Anonymous!
Things go to “must have” possessions like formal dinner set in addition to everyday dishes, and all other “special occasion” items. This must be the retailers tactics.
Those realtors are a sneaky bunch. Keep in mind that they get commissions and obviously want to sell the biggest homes possible. I put my foot down with our realtors. I told them that I was only interested in a house that we could qualify for with a 15 year fixed interest mortgage and also that was the only mortgage that we would have. Then I told them that the house couldn’t be the most expensive one that we could qualify for. I was very stubborn. My husband still laughs about that.
Linda, I was so happy to read your article. I’m also 70 and my husband 73. We have down sized to an 1100 2 bedroom townhouse and love it. More than 10 years ago I came across a book by Elaine St. James called Simplify Your Life. I re-read it at least once a year to keep my priorities in focus. As she says, “The secret to happiness is not in getting more but in wanting less.”
Thank you for suggesting reviewing our priorities once a year and suggesting Elaine St. James’ book as a motivator, Jennie. That’s a wonderful idea! P.S. I’ve just requested Simplify Your Life.
I loved that book and still have it. We sold our house this year and downsized to an apt half that size and love it. We feel so much lighter now.
One of the best texts I have read here. Heartfelt and real! Bravo!
I’m in the same position as Ramsey. Was left my parents home and contents! My brothers and their families took what they wanted but I had my own home to empty and move into my folks’ place. But I don’t want to leave this much for my daughter to deal with. Joshua’s book helped me get motivated and reading posts like Linda’s keeps me going. I’ve always been a big believer in knowing the difference between want and need. There’s not much I need so I need to work on my wants.
Over the past few years, my older parents passed away. So the challenge of “what to do with their stuff” was something my siblings and I had to take on. My mother still had boxes from when she moved her mother into a nursing home…. My goal and motto is to Downsize and simplify for my two daughters. I don’t want to leave them with “junk and stuff”. They are VERY supportive and understanding of my moving to a less cluttered life. I held onto a piano for my older daughter (now 25) because she was the only one who played. Through this process she let it go to the little girl next door. Who is taking lessons and loving it! I am modeling the behavior it is more important to connect with People and have good experiences, the collect more stuff.
Wonderful story. I wish I could get my nearly 70 year old husband into minimalism. We have downsized, which is a plus. However, his wardrobes are bursting with clothes he never and will never wear again. Not to mention our garage full of stuff we no longer need…… I sometimes manage to get rid of small things which he doesn’t even notice have gone. I follow minimalism myself and have been doing so for past 3/4 years. Wish I’d done it earlier.
I have a tip for getting rid off husband’s possessions he doesn’t need but doesn’t want to part with.
First remove the item from the closet/garage to a hidden place of the house. Wait for six months to a year. If he doesn’t notice, bring it to a donation. So far it’s been working for us (me). The key is a few items at a time.
I couldn’t agree with you more, Linda. We just sold our condo and are moving to our 750 sq. ft cabin in the woods! We’ve worked on the cabin the last 13 yrs and have made it our own. We are both 68, finally able to say the “hell” with what society dictates. Feels so good!! We’ll have all we need plus a beautiful view of nature. Doesn’t get any better than that!
My takeaway from reading this was that life is a journey of learning what you want along the way, and that it’s okay to change course and want something different after a while. Great writing, thanks for sharing your story for us to learn from.
Thank you for sharing…
Had many plans, now i’ll have to revisit my plans and take some off of my bucket list and start enjoying what i got in my hands.
Wonderful encapsulation of the circle of life and its growing pains. Thank you so much! I have ‘bought into’ ;) this lifestyle hook, line and sinker. It’s freeing. Bless you and yours, Linda
Loved this article! At 58 and disabled and living very small, I’ve just realized that I am sitting on a huge amount of equity in my home that I consider too large for just me and the cats (1300 sq feet and a 2 car detached garage). I am tired of maintaining the yard and worrying about home repairs and how much insurance and taxes will be on my home. I’m looking at my options. In fact, have a buyer coming over today to make an offer on my home!
I’m going through things and getting rid of them and also shutting down rooms and closets completely to get ready to live in a much smaller space.
I am fortunate that the beautiful local no kill shelter where I volunteer at is willing to give a life home to many of my cats and even more fortunate that I will be able to make a substantial donation for their life care with the sale of my home.
Working with lawyers right now on getting all my legal things in order for my death and possible long term care needs also. Medicaid planning is a real thing!
Best to everyone who is in their golden years who have the courage to look at their options and take action to live a different life and thrive.
Thank you for your perspective on this. I am 56 years old and looking at what my life might be like in 20 years. I figure if I plan now, it will be easier than later. I would hate to think “Why didn’t I do this 5, 10, or 20 years ago?” As a result of living a life with “just enough ” I was able to retire at 53. Now I fill my time doing what I want to do. I fill my days with volunteering, taking care omy health, and tending to my most important relationships. I’m getting ready to downsize my home and freeing myself from even more “stuff” and having more adventures.
Every day I wake up with a sense of gratitude!
This author is my role model. I want to grow up and be just like her.
Thanks for sharing…I’m also inspired by the author as well as you.
This is my favorite article on Becoming Minimalist to date. Thank you for sharing your wisdom!
I totally agree with Sarah. Maybe it’s because it’s compelling to see the perspective over the span of a whole life (not like Linda’s is almost over by any means :-) )
Excellent article! Thank you for sharing your experience and the reminder that family, friends and experience are so much more valuable than things. I agree and would take experience (esp. with my son) any day over a new piece of clothing or furniture!
This might be the best post I’ve read on minimalism. Thank you!
I am so happy to read articles about seniors who are embracing a simpler and more fulfilling life. My husband and I retired in our 60’s, sold our big home, downsized to an apartment and have never been happier. Minimalism is not a concept just for the young as more and more older adults are seeing great value in these simpler life choices. I must admit that many of our friends thought we were crazy to sell our beautiful home where we raised our family and moved into an apartment, but have not regretted it for a minute. We have a plaque in our apartment that reads “I’m not retired…I’m just getting started.” And we are!!!
Twenty years ago (I am now 65), we moved from 2 acres large home into a small home in town. I was tired of the gravel roads and the commute to our children’s school.
I was shocked at the response we heard from everyone! We were asked, “Is your business failing and you must move?” People could not believe we would move if we didn’t have to! This was before I heard of minimalism. I wish I had as that would have given me more peace and confidence in understanding people’s reactions.
Talking about minimalism and sharing ideas is wonderful. Understanding we can all make this lifestyle our own and no right or wrong way is so freeing!
Thank you for communicating all the advantages of this lifestyle. It inspires confidence.
Thank you for your lessons!
I love “It brings us joy to live with just what we actually use.” I think this will be my mantra.
We are renting for the first time since college and that was MANY years ago! Minimalism to us has been about choosing the things we cherrish the most to keep. A smaller, maintenace free apartment is liberating and allows us to have only one car, walk more and explore the city we’ve lived in for years. What is that saying…”older and wiser”? That’s us!
Loved the integrity of your choices. I thought I had down-sized when I went from a 3BR, 2-1/2 baths, 2 car garage to a 2 BR, 2 bath, 1 car garage. I love having the space, tho I now feel I could happily live in less space. My immediate goal is to have less filling the space.
Dear Linda, There was SO much wisdom packed into this post! I loved reading every word, and you sound like a person I would love to sit down and have coffee and share experiences with. Have you ever considered starting a blog? I feel sure you would bless the lives of many by sharing the things you have learned along the way, including me! Thank you ever so much for sharing your heart and inspiring us with your words. Your life and experiences are a true blessing and gift that should be shared with the world!
I wrote a blog when we were living in the RV and having new experiences all the time. Now that we are settled down again the blog pretty much died. I find I don’t have a lot of new information to write about anymore.
But, here’s the link in case you want to read about some of our travels: https://sandcastle.sandsys.org. It starts during a trip already in progress; the previous blog disappeared with me realizing it.
Thank you for this wonderful and honest perspective. I sense great wisdom in you.
Thank you for this post and giving us a glimpse of what life could be like in about 20 years. After reading Joshua’s book, we began to minimalize, and when we moved a few weeks ago and saw that the moving truck was only half as full as it had been in our previous move, we were elated. We knew this move would be much easier. However, we continue to look for ways to reduce the number of items we have to care for – particularly in the categories of home decor and clothing. You have inspired me!
Thank you. I hadn’t realized how much affirmation I would receive when Joshua asked me to write this article. I’m lapping it up.
Thank you for this beautiful, helpful post. I appreciate your hard-won lessons, and am inspired that in later life you are embracing simplicity, relationships and connection!
Hope to hear more from writers like you. Your perspective is valuable and needed.
Thank you. I appreciate your support.
I just finished talking with my 89 year old Mom about my life’s direction. Then I read your article. It was like an answer to prayer. I am moving back to my old city neighborhood of 28 years and use what the city has to offer. Thanks for your insight. I can’t wait to start!!!
I’m glad you found your own new path. I wish you well as you travel it.
Thank you, Linda, for your inspiring words of wisdom and encouragement for those of us who are also in the process of realizing “less is more”. I just turned 66 and my husband is 73. We’re getting ready to list our “dream home” for sale and with no regrets. We will live in a 55 & above community with a much smaller cottage that we won’t own, much less furniture and stuff, and an emphasis on supporting other seniors while having more time to volunteer in our community. We look forward to this new stage of our lives as a new adventure and are grateful we realized sooner rather than later that this is the best path for us … I am happy to see that others are realizing it too!
This is what I’m looking forward to doing as soon as I can get my husband on board. We’re 66 and 65 and he says he doesn’t want to live with a bunch of “old people”. I keep telling him that we are those old people in terms of age but OLD can also be a mindset. I’m looking forward to the low maintenance outside. Hubby is disabled so it’s a bit much for me.
Keep persevering in your message, Anita. It took me awhile to get my husband on board as well (he just recently started to admit he is a “senior”); but now he’s excited and sharing with everyone how “everything is falling into place” and how much we are looking forward to this change. Take care and best wishes on this journey …
Men seem to have a much harder time with the thought of aging then we women do – just my observation. I am 66 and hubby is 71. A couple years ago he finally got on board and now loves living in our small minimalist condo. It’s not an over 55 community but most here are well over that age. Fun, friendly people! If your hubby can’t do yard work and maintenance then it’s past time to get rid of the house and yard and focus on the things you enjoy. It’s too stressful for you to keep up with it. Maybe help him to see things from your perspective?
We live here: https://www.trilliumwoodslcs.com. This is a very active community with pretty much everything you could want all under one roof. See if you can get him to look at the photos and videos to see what us “old” people look like.
Less stuff doesn’t mean crappier stuff. I’m glad this worked for the author but I’m continually frustrated seeing minimalist articles that confuse the concept of fewer items with downgrading. In the long run, quality outlasts fast anything, be it furniture or fashion.
We’re trying to focus on quality and not quantity. I think I understand your frustration. Some things I read (this guest author’s post not included) about minimalism seem to be more about Socialism and not about owning less to be able to spend more time and make better connections to people.
I replied to this and saw a message that my reply was being reviewed. For my future reference, would you tell me why my reply wasn’t allowed to be posted? Thank you!
I agree that quality is important. This is what happened in our home. Years ago we bought two pieces of cheapest bookshelves which immediately started sagging by the weight of books. We ended up ‘upgrading’ to ones from IKEA.
LMS, Please, see my answer to Laura above. The thing about minimalism is we each get to decide what is right for us. Part of what I am saying is that what is right can change with age.
To clarify, I wasn’t trying to preach a particular form of minimalism. Each person decides what is best and what to do with their time, money, etc. Each life stage is of course different. I don’t imagine what I find useful materially now will always be the same. My only real point was for some readers, upgrading to nice furniture isn’t necessarily an upgrade for the sake of society’s pressure to upgrade. Sometimes we use our money to caste a vote (better products available to more people in the marketplace, supporting companies that provide better workplaces, more sustainable products and less fast fashion/HomeGoods/etc ). It was just a different viewpoint but not a prescription.
We are 40 (me) and 39, with kids ages 6, 9 and 12. We have seen a lot of our friends upsizing, but also many friends who live in a similar age (45) of house, similar types of furniture (unfinished wood that we finished, augmented by IKEA and estate sales). Much different from either of our parents. My inlaws said IKEA is not their style. They have rooms that aren’t usable due to stuff, yet they want us to visit all the time. I’d rather save for my kids’ college and our retirement and pay for their swimming classes than pay for the teak furniture. I could see my life story panning out like the author’s. She seems satisfied and happy, and what more could one ask for?!
Yes, satisfied and happy. Thank you for understanding.
Thank you for sharing your story and your experience, Linda. It truly feels like you’ve made your personal dream come true instead of chasing someone else’s!
Couldn’t agree more about downsizing. As a minimalist I have been upgrading to higher quality items when they do need replacing. Yes, more inexpensive options are available. But I enjoy spending my money on quality items from American manufacturers that will last a lifetime instead of needing to replace inexpensive items over and over again.
Since I am 72 now how much longer will my things need to last? If we were younger we’d buy better quality things but at our age…? Buying cheap stuff to have money for health concerns feels right for us now.
Linda, I love reading about your life experiences. I’m grateful you had an opportunity to share here.
Thanks. I enjoy your blog, too.
Thanks for your insights and perspective! For now, our 1,900 square foot house seems like a great size for a growing family (I’m expecting my third), but I could see us definitely downsizing in the future—less house to clean :) It is nice having a little more room for the kids to run around though, now that they’re small (and especially in the winter, when it’s harder to get out). It’s all about balance.
But fewer possessions? That is something that I can live with at ANY stage of life :)
Some great thoughts in this! Thanks!
It seems to me that many families are deciding they don’t need as much space now that they have figured out their kids don’t need so many toys. But, I live in Minnesota so I understand needing inside space for kids to play. When we were kids one of our favorite indoor games was sardines. If you are not familiar with it Google will find it.
Sardines, yes! My kids played this at every church group sleepover. They loved it!
I love this. :) Thank you for the advice from all your experiences.
You’re welcome. I love how this word is spreading to everyone.
Linda, thank you for this. I’m almost 70 and sometimes I look back over the things that I HAD to have and ask myself why I felt that way. It’s been a long life lesson as to what makes me feel blessed. It’s the people I love and the friends I cherish. Minimalism has added so much to my life. By subtracting stuff I’ve made room for things I really enjoy like long walks with my husband, a good cup of tea with friends or a great book. All the points you made are so true.
Isn’t it nice to have reached an age where we don’t let others choose what’s right for us anymore? I love it that so many folks are realizing this at much younger ages.
Wonderful story. I wish I could get my nearly 70 year old husband into minimalism. We have downsized, which is a plus. However, his wardrobes are bursting with clothes he never and will never wear again. Not to mention our garage full of stuff we no longer need…… I sometimes manage to get rid of small things which he doesn’t even notice have gone. I follow minimalism myself and have been doing so for past 3/4 years. Wish I’d done it earlier.