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.
P. Alexander says
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.
Linda Sand says
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.
tammy j says
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!
Mari R says
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!
Tami Bemnett says
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.
Patricia W. says
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.
Brenda says
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.
Tin says
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.
Eloise Brown says
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!
Sylvia says
Thank you Linda for sharing your wisdom very much appreciated and well articulated. Please SMILE:-) your article put me on check to lay down my inner drive in pursuit of a more spacious (sq ft) living quarters. Learn to reach contentment with a tiny/cozy cottage/bungalow.
Ana says
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 :)
Anonymous says
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? :-)
Mari R says
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.
LindaW says
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.