This is the documentation of our journey to a simpler life.
I began more than a year ago, a light bulb went off in my head – I have too much stuff! I began getting rid of things – realizing that the memories associated with those items would still be there even without the items. I wanted more space for my son and I to engage in new activities, to not always be cleaning the house or organizing STUFF!
During that time, my mind became open. I had space for new things and I found love. I married River Lee.
Then I found blogs about minimalism my two favorites, Becoming Minimalist and The Minimalist Mom, and I was hooked. Luckily River was already on board – when I met him he was living in a small log cabin that he had built himself it was off the grid and used a rain barrel to provide wash water for the house. Since then we have been getting rid of as much as we can, planning a smaller living space, and finding other ways of earning money so I will be able to work from home.
So we are dividing our house in half, adding a new kitchen and making the other part of the house a rental. We really needed less space, we wanted less to clean, we want to pay off our mortgage early and have a small income when we retire. I can’t wait for the renovations to be complete so we can start our life in a smaller, less cluttered space.
Although I have gotten rid of more than half my wardrobe and about half of my stuff, I find an item almost daily that can go in the Goodwill bin, be consigned or sold through E-bay or Craig’s List. Every time I let go and enjoy the space that is created in my life.
Less stuff = more life and I just can’t get enough of it!
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Us, too. I discovered minimalism a few months ago after I injured my back and was forced to bed. Back surgery is on June 5th but in the last few months I’ve learned a lot about minimalism and simple living and sustainability. This has been a difficult journey in terms of facing my physical pain, but a phenomenal one in terms of focusing on what is really important. I can’t wait to see what you do with the rest of the house. The kitchen is beautiful.
Kandice,
I hope your surgery went well – minimalism helps with so many things! I have found that since I minimalized my kitchen things (to some it would not be minimal, but to me it is) I have used almost everything on display and most of the things not on display too! Getting rid of the excess means that I have empty cabinets and that actually feels really good – I hope I don’t fill them up with items I don’t need.
I am still working on my six year old with this – he did a great job cleaning out and selling a lot of toys and movies at a local childrens resale shop, but I am having a hard time convincing him he does not need a whole huge bin full of cars! I wish I had known about minimalism when he was a baby – it would have been so much easier to start when he didn’t know any better!
The rest of the house is still a work in progress but it is coming along! Thank you!