Becoming Minimalist unites people around a common, life-giving pursuit. We have discovered there is more to be found in owning less than we can ever discover pursuing more.
Regardless of where we find ourselves on this journey, we are resolved to live by these ideals and make it true in our lives.
This is an important worldview because it provides potential and opportunity to all who embrace it. And it offers joy. And joy is best experienced when it is shared.
All around the world, family and friends will gather together to celebrate various holidays. We will take time to catch up with loved ones. And for those whose lives have been changed by the adoption of minimalist ideas, the season represents a golden opportunity to share your story and newfound approach to life with those you love the most.
If you are actively pursuing simplicity, you are living a counter-cultural lifestyle. You have a personal story of discovering simplicity in a world that champions consumerism. Almost by default, your story is unique, interesting, and compelling. People will be interested to hear it.
Over the years, I’ve heard countless stories of people discovering minimalism. Some found it through their upbringing. Some were introduced through disaster (fire, burglary, downsizing). Some were introduced by a friend. While others picked up just the right book or stumbled onto the right website at the right moment .
Regardless of how you personally discovered it, your story has the power to inspire others and further the message of finding more life by owning fewer possessions.
So share your story with friends, family members, co-workers, and neighbors this holiday season. Look for opportunities to retell it over coffee, around the dinner table, or during a family tradition. Be bold with the truth of simplicity and owning less.
Of course, when you do, tell your story in humility, motivated by love, without confrontation. Be patient with your family (especially if some of their traditions run contrary to your pursuit). Refrain from attitudes and words that communicate any hint of superiority.
Our message may not be fully embraced by those who hear it the first time. But that’s okay. Our job is not to change someone’s life for them.
Our role is to simply offer the invitation.
Željko says
Simplicityis not abauth deprivation. Simplicity is abauth greater appreciation for things that realy metter. (Oscar Niemayer)
Jen says
Since the mid-90s, when I moved into a college dorm room, I’ve committed to have less. Only recently have I really caught the vision of Minimalism though. I read an article about capsule wardrobes and realized that that has been my goal for years.
This is a great time to remove excess for, at least whe I live, there are many who are struggling. The treasures (not trash) that I no long need/want can be a great blessing to others. I just took yet another load of clothes to a clothing bank in my community. Living simply and with less is a great blessing and benefit to me, but it also opens opportunities for me to connect with others and provide a blessing to others.
Jeanne says
I try to live by example (rather than preach-it’s a turn off) and have found people to be naturally curious about minimalism. I write about my experiences too and people seem eager to share their simplicity questions, successes and works in progress with me. It’s fun to share stories and learn what’s working for others. I’m definitely the first in my circle of friends and family to embrace this lifestyle so it’s nice to engage with others here and elsewhere who are further along than me. Thanks for sharing!
Janice says
My fiancee and I have been together for 8 years. We are both active members of the military and have moved quite often over the years. It was shortly before we bought our first house that we had come to realize we had to much stuff. Thats all it was “stuff”. We moved, unpacked but nothing changed. Still stuff coming into the house, nothing ever left.
It was only just before the birth of my 1st son that we realized the house was getting smaller and there would soon be a third person living here with us. So I initially started decluttering. Small things at first, broken unused objects that were just lying around. It never seemed like much. I was scrolling thru ways to declutter on the internet, and how to organize better and I found a website that linked me to Minimalism. Natural curiousty, I took a look. I read and reread the concept behind the lifestyle, stories of those who took the plunge to be happier for themselves, their kids, those who found themselves swallowed in debt. So I figured, how can I incorpriate this lifestyle into my own, with a baby on the way .. & it began. Slowly, at first… doubles of things that we had owned, extra baby objects we knew we would never use. But, when he finally came I found myself swallowed up by more stuff and still no place to organize and place it all. I then decided that enough was enough.. So after living a few years this way with what had seemed no end in sight, I did a major overall. I started with my kitchen. I took everything out of the drawers and cubbords. One by one I looked at it, decided if i was usable, if i had ever used it, would ever use it and i decluttered almost 4 huge boxes that day. The next day I went to clean up from supper, I realized it took me only about 10-15 minutes to have the dishes done, everything put away oppose to the 30-45 minutes it normally did. & that was how I had started, the closet was next, my sons bedroom and toy stacked everywhere. Donated, thrown out, sold. We are still in the process of decluttering things, changing things to be more reusable instead of plastic containers and bags and things to just throw out all the time, but Ill get there. One object tossed at a time.
Karen says
Encouraging quotes for you:
“Baby steps”
“Slow and steady wins the race”
And my favorite, “You have to eat the elephant one bite at a time”..
You go, girl!! You’re doing a great thing for yourself and your family!
Karen says
This holiday season I’m able to see that a simple life is becoming effortless! I had 3 totes for decorations and one is on its way to goodwill. I thought hard about my sons Xmas gift and went for things he’s really asked for and some are from thrifting but he’ll like them none the less. My son is 5 so he’s too young to fully understand, but he does agree to clean out old toys and broken ones too, which is a start.
Amy @ MoreTimeThanMoney says
This is definitely the part of Christmas that I love – it makes me connect with people once a year that I don’t see regularly and is a great excuse to get back in touch with people when it would otherwise be socially awkward. I was just at a holiday business lunch and we were all talking about our Christmas plans, and I made a really effort to say we keep things simple.
I share my story here https://moretimethanmoney.co.nz
Carrie says
Amy, I enjoyed reading your post on gifts!
Amy@MoreTimeThanMoney says
Thanks so much Carrie. Such a tricky area of life for aspiring minimalists like me.
Amy@MoreTimeThanMoney says
Update: I just had a great conversation with my mum, which shows the power of sharing your story. I’ve played The Minimalism Game for a few months a while ago to progress my decluttering. I’d told my mum very casually as part of our everyday conversations about what I’d been up to. Tonight while we were chatting, she said she’s started her decluttering on is on Day 2 of The Minimalism Game.
Zoë says
How encouraging!
Susan says
A simply beautiful message, even outside of living a minimalist lifestyle. I think any changes in lifestyle, this is the time of year to approach your story with love and compassion when sharing with others. Story sharing should be without judgement.
Minimalist lifestyle is sort of new to me but something I realize I do try to live by as I live in a house with too many people and when they won’t downsize, I find myself downsizing my own stuff. It feels great to release the extra clutter that fills up the empty spaces.
Tina says
My mom just died. I had cleaned her large condo and we moved her to a nursing home 2 years ago.
I am giving away her books to her friends and her clothes to charity. In the end we have pictures and a few
small items. It is the memories we leave behind which are the most lasting.
indiana says
This is such a beautiful article! Thanks for sharing it.
laura ann says
I have tried to encourage several people to clean out their garage of junk and use it for cars less car washing and waxing and out of the weather. They would rather keep their junk and let cars deteriorate, so be it. Now, last few years I have brought up minimalism casually to retirees near me. I say pass things on to nieces and group homes . House cleaning then is more efficient and streamlined. Retirees need less clothes, less paper clutter and nick naks. Few entertain anymore, from my observation when people have grand kids over they eat out or spend time at son or daughters house. Others meet friends at coffee shops or restaurants.
Jeffrey Pillow says
In the Christmas cards we will soon send to friends and family, my wife wants to share how we have “simplified our lifestyle” and “removed the excess in our lives to focus on what’s most important” (quoting her actual words here). It’s a perfect opportunity, but I did warn her, she may get some pushback during a time when excess sometimes knows no bounds.
Angie says
A number of years ago I received a Christmas card with a holiday letter explaining how this family embraces simplicity and the joy it brought them. I was so struck by it and totally impressed. I thought, “Wow, what would that be like?” It didn’t occur to me at the time that I could make the same change in my life. I think it’s great that you are going to share your experience, and who knows who you will impact?
Amy @ MoreTimeThanMoney says
I agree, you may never know, but I am sure you will inspire some to think and act differently.
Brooke Jamieson says
Now, when my husband & I receive invitations to parties (I mean 6-7 hour marathon extravaganzas at fancy-dance catering facilities – not a nice, simple gathering at someone’s home), I now rsvp Will Not Attend- & write a brief note, stating that we have “simplified our lives” & have “eliminated unecessary social obligations, to free up more time to simply relax & enjoy life!” Since our social circle is Italian, I cannot begin to imagine the enormous amount of scandal & gossip that this has caused… but I couldn’t care less. My husband has finally allowed me to do it, bec he’s sick of parties too, so, I’m doing it!!!! Feels AWESOME, let me tell you. :-)))))))))
Jane says
That is awesome Brooke. It’s great you can follow your heart and not give in to people’s expectations.
Sun says
Ouch! I like what you’re doing, but consider being kinder in your reply. If you are gracious, you are more likely to win them over, and in time they may ask what has changed about you. If you are hurtful, they will not seek to be like you. A simple thank you for thinking of us, with regrets is all you need to say.