tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82991976232033871102024-03-05T23:27:28.666-08:00The Minimal GirlWe are living in a material world, and I am a minimal girl.The Minimal Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09539951087470755337noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8299197623203387110.post-76164520960752075602014-01-05T14:50:00.001-08:002014-01-05T14:50:25.220-08:00Stuff for my Fantasy Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogejOAfrE8gMVHGyN9VQMzxvoUFS4d5ztZVkfkNS1aENTZyMIGwAKFDCJJmjcIt2JoBLNzen0oEBcsWdeFOZBMHAQ5Y0p1dLkNFJSFW6qAd-O9mCTHxESFsyYU0COZ3KIQtvvs69-uao/s1600/tumblr_mw47koEfID1shcqiqo1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogejOAfrE8gMVHGyN9VQMzxvoUFS4d5ztZVkfkNS1aENTZyMIGwAKFDCJJmjcIt2JoBLNzen0oEBcsWdeFOZBMHAQ5Y0p1dLkNFJSFW6qAd-O9mCTHxESFsyYU0COZ3KIQtvvs69-uao/s640/tumblr_mw47koEfID1shcqiqo1_1280.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://simply-divine-creation.tumblr.com/post/66701888714/simply-divine-creation-simplicity-photography">image source</a></div>
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Several months ago I gave up my habit of continuous online window-shopping. I blocked my favorite fashion and interior design stores from my browser, and stopped reading most lifestyle blogs. For a while I fought the feeling that I was missing out, and that I <i>needed</i> to go shopping. But since then, the urges have subsided and I think about shopping much less than I used to, although I still miss it.<br />
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Like many addicts, once I had gotten the stuff out of my system, I decided to go back because "I can handle it now." Today I visited one of my temptation websites, Modcloth. As I browsed through the pages of shiny clothing and accessories, I was very aware of the discontent I started feeling.<br />
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I craved this lifestyle Modcloth was selling - that of a cute young woman living in a city, dressing up for gallery openings and book signings, wearing colorful outfits in her creative office, sitting down to gourmet drinks and pastries at a rustic cafe, living in a charming apartment with colorful decor. A Pinterest-perfect life.<br />
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I see now that I have been buying things in an attempt to make my life look like that fantasy. But the fact is, my husband and I are short on money, so we're currently living a life very unlike my Instagram-tinted ideal. I hope that someday I can have a life somewhat resembling those dreams, but for now, shopping at certain websites and reading certain blogs only makes me miserable and envious.<br />
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The shopping ban continues, then.The Minimal Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09539951087470755337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8299197623203387110.post-34566134937919320902013-12-30T07:00:00.000-08:002013-12-30T07:00:08.539-08:00Warm Minimalism: Blue and Yellow Bathroom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-teBl0dYea9xWJ65VDJHj7jLzP0RN_2iqxlGKS1mznO_nW0aDphnhLoT4jy-aT_l3k2frfE8C-_pMDMMkEOswAbKVC_ZMV_Q8MLQE-ydm4jvMpo58Tb8bbsuFGWM4HslrTndLjzkTk8o/s1600/508e6bc593f88ceb28f7c2abde70a310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-teBl0dYea9xWJ65VDJHj7jLzP0RN_2iqxlGKS1mznO_nW0aDphnhLoT4jy-aT_l3k2frfE8C-_pMDMMkEOswAbKVC_ZMV_Q8MLQE-ydm4jvMpo58Tb8bbsuFGWM4HslrTndLjzkTk8o/s400/508e6bc593f88ceb28f7c2abde70a310.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/inside-the-finished-lake-house-post-6/">image source</a></div>
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When decorating your house, think color, paint and wallpaper rather than displaying decorative knick-knacks. This bathroom has tons of personality just through the unique color of the lamp and the wallpaper. No other decoration is needed.The Minimal Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09539951087470755337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8299197623203387110.post-5935196189063129882013-12-28T21:12:00.000-08:002013-12-28T21:12:43.789-08:00Butting Heads with ConsumeristsFor Christmas, my husband received a gift from an estranged relative: a decorative ashtray made out of a nautilus. At least, we think it's an ashtray. Maybe it's a paperweight. Hard to tell.<br />
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"Do you want this?" My husband said to his sister. "I have no use for it."<br />
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My brother-in-law threw up his hands and said, "What are your poor future children going to do, when you throw away their toys because you 'have no use for them'?"<br />
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Yes, he actually said that. See, brother-in-law is an enthusiastic consumerist and bit of a hoarder. He doesn't understand why we would throw things away, or why we would choose not to buy something that's on sale. When we get rid of things or sell things, he thinks that we are cold, uncaring, unsentimental people. I think he actually worries for our future children, afraid that they'll be deprived of toys and presents.<br />
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Maybe my brother-in-law feels threatened by our minimalism. I don't know. I want to tell him that it's not that we don't like stuff, it's that we choose to keep only what we love and use most. But as you may have guessed, this particular relative is great at arguing, poor at listening. It doesn't bother me much; except that this particular relative has a big mouth and who knows how he is describing our new lifestyle to other family members. "Don't give them any presents, they'll just throw them away."<br />
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On second thought, that may not be such a bad thing. Ha!The Minimal Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09539951087470755337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8299197623203387110.post-22632570873133611552013-12-26T23:01:00.001-08:002013-12-26T23:01:29.568-08:00The post-holiday stuff purge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnf2nURjEnHUGTROIUpv68oOU-0-DAuzEoPBDSBjqzdpqr22SPdChHe7Lhq1Z4-4wq8aX1p_9lTyWZmKuBbMb3S-aDlIzhk-COqerj5Hir9q2hVxbGigo_GTC5uvNnXhN0jDhOsoS9jE/s1600/98c88c4ecaf0eb3cbd276039e33524ec.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnf2nURjEnHUGTROIUpv68oOU-0-DAuzEoPBDSBjqzdpqr22SPdChHe7Lhq1Z4-4wq8aX1p_9lTyWZmKuBbMb3S-aDlIzhk-COqerj5Hir9q2hVxbGigo_GTC5uvNnXhN0jDhOsoS9jE/s1600/98c88c4ecaf0eb3cbd276039e33524ec.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://loppelilla.blogspot.com/">image source</a></div>
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I just returned from my parents' house for the holidays, and so far my husband and I have received mostly useful, consumable, or small gifts. A minimalist win! However, we still haven't visited my mother-in-law, who tends to shower me with more cosmetics, body lotions, shower gels and perfumes than I can possibly use up every year. Several months ago I gathered up a whole bunch of them and donated them to a homeless shelter.</div>
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I feel another decluttering urge coming on, to make room for these new things we've received. Do you ever need to go on a stuff purge after the holidays?</div>
The Minimal Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09539951087470755337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8299197623203387110.post-54340432225875475902013-12-20T21:35:00.001-08:002013-12-20T21:35:41.694-08:00I Enjoy ChristmasSo many articles these days are about how to slow down and enjoy the holidays, how to have a stress-free holiday. Recently I blogger whose posts I enjoy wrote, "I still feel that we all struggle to truly enjoy Christmas."<br />
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Nope.<br />
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I am not a busy person. Life brings me occasional busy periods, like anyone else, but they're the exception rather than the rule. I dislike busyness, and I love Christmas! Here's how I've been preparing for Christmas this month:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Make a list of gifts for friends and family</li>
<li>Purchase and wrap said gifts</li>
<li>Mail gifts and cards</li>
<li>Bake snickerdoodles</li>
<li>Mail snickerdoodles to lucky friends</li>
<li>Set up nativity scene</li>
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It wasn't hard, it wasn't stressful. It was enjoyable.<br />
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I realize that some people struggle during Christmas because of finances, or because they have to spend time difficult family members. But for the most part, I don't understand why people stress out about Christmas so much.The Minimal Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09539951087470755337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8299197623203387110.post-45925561399664119662013-12-18T09:49:00.000-08:002013-12-18T09:49:07.718-08:00Minimalist Holiday Decorations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmD-NDEO_l4_B18525cGECKXf0Ve_Mjji63-1xfcxVeUDQ4Kun4cVrHSUlUN5YHlyhH_i5ET-s9GpVhysBJ7To6ZtEYw-wyUf0W7SCE6bJtmmKj551tnmBGjJu_bSIXlf1iH0wlu8wnd0/s1600/livingwreath-578-mld109268_vert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmD-NDEO_l4_B18525cGECKXf0Ve_Mjji63-1xfcxVeUDQ4Kun4cVrHSUlUN5YHlyhH_i5ET-s9GpVhysBJ7To6ZtEYw-wyUf0W7SCE6bJtmmKj551tnmBGjJu_bSIXlf1iH0wlu8wnd0/s1600/livingwreath-578-mld109268_vert.jpg" /></a></div>
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image via <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/274364/holiday-wreaths/@center/1009036/christmas-wreaths-garlands-and-more#949680">Martha Stewart</a></div>
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Recently I've discovered that one of my friends is also a minimalist! We had a long conversation about the lifestyle, and she asked me what I thought of holiday decorations. She comes from a family that goes all-out for the holidays.<br />
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Personally, I think that if holiday decorations make you happy, then decorate! Just keep the store-brought decorations to a minimum. Not only do store-bought decorations tend to be, well, kind of kitschy, but you have to store them for 11 months of every year. With a little creativity, you can decorate without adding to your possessions. <b>Instead, try decorating with organic items and disposable items.</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY88-2iKYbqLw0POfBNsxIwjbQJTqw3EOmEgBQ1nIx4pvm5u74r23y_DNeyfBIPUlV9H3H7O_XX_jkbEkraZCCs3yOpjI21D2z50IF9L9duDNRp9uPybdvwrG61EEwCm1qGuE7ynRP5bo/s1600/a99050_1201_ball_xl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY88-2iKYbqLw0POfBNsxIwjbQJTqw3EOmEgBQ1nIx4pvm5u74r23y_DNeyfBIPUlV9H3H7O_XX_jkbEkraZCCs3yOpjI21D2z50IF9L9duDNRp9uPybdvwrG61EEwCm1qGuE7ynRP5bo/s320/a99050_1201_ball_xl.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
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image via <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/856479/20-years-living-best-handmade-christmas-decorations/@center/1009036/christmas-wreaths-garlands-and-more#271939">Martha Stewart</a></div>
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<b>By organic items, I mean go out and find some nature!</b> Pinecones, acorns, sticks, autumn leaves, pine branches and eucalyptus branches. Pile them up in glass jars or wooden bowls. Bare sticks in a vase can look surprisingly nice! If you don't live surrounded by nature, you can find pumpkins, squash, poinsettas, and unshelled walnuts at the grocery store. Natural objects always classy and beautiful, never kitschy, and you don't have to store them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDGhbP6pdg51zjPn3TN6KeucH7hvk5tRcTQid8IADR7o22xK1c15m1moftOBhKXz5DQNjXdyVsoYQma-XWxbwJmuPF8qNXPIxlzZFB9z40tpVILPqQUWkEqdbkyj93pi2HNkXM-GrcZY/s1600/candy-land-mld107903_vert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDGhbP6pdg51zjPn3TN6KeucH7hvk5tRcTQid8IADR7o22xK1c15m1moftOBhKXz5DQNjXdyVsoYQma-XWxbwJmuPF8qNXPIxlzZFB9z40tpVILPqQUWkEqdbkyj93pi2HNkXM-GrcZY/s400/candy-land-mld107903_vert.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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image via <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/865197/kevin-sharkeys-showstopping-centerpieces#864871">Martha Stewart</a></div>
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<b>Disposable items and consumable items are another way to decorate.</b> Paper snowflakes, popcorn garlands, and other paper crafts can be enjoyed during the holidays and then recycled. My mother used to take all the Christmas cards we received, staple them to ribbons, then drape them from the banister. After Christmas, we'd recycle the whole thing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_V3wfd63WdZDHwqXuRZ1UADjB-sPygqbXorbIzEePi2lDpknR41YMJaBTm-HIeq38fXK9E2wysxpEGK0h6RaVh-a8iDSKPnPtAf6miSbkc59ntAzE5F6j4lPMTlPjeggu9es5tEdi9mk/s1600/ft_snowflake02_vert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_V3wfd63WdZDHwqXuRZ1UADjB-sPygqbXorbIzEePi2lDpknR41YMJaBTm-HIeq38fXK9E2wysxpEGK0h6RaVh-a8iDSKPnPtAf6miSbkc59ntAzE5F6j4lPMTlPjeggu9es5tEdi9mk/s320/ft_snowflake02_vert.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
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image via <a href="http://mommyknows.com/gingerbread-house-log-cabin-style/">Martha Stewart</a></div>
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Candles, candy canes and gingerbread houses can be consumed (don't eat the candles, please). Your wrapped Christmas gifts and stockings can count as decorations, too!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHyvKcru0ed7h8m0n3zE_6wTbtkLCluzgPzMTPRV44y9_1P5sIiM9bvhyKt7KpUDoUA0hTVbhZsSkF4RybCut27DxX5VgL4vje5p3EytKGEAWuFoDEcawPVgZJTZvtXiX-HPVvDzyocG0/s1600/4176006236_5e3e4876ab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHyvKcru0ed7h8m0n3zE_6wTbtkLCluzgPzMTPRV44y9_1P5sIiM9bvhyKt7KpUDoUA0hTVbhZsSkF4RybCut27DxX5VgL4vje5p3EytKGEAWuFoDEcawPVgZJTZvtXiX-HPVvDzyocG0/s400/4176006236_5e3e4876ab.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>
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image via <a href="http://mommyknows.com/gingerbread-house-log-cabin-style/">mommyknows</a></div>
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Celebrating the holidays doesn't have to mean buying things from a store, and keeping multiple boxes of holiday decorations in the attic. Likewise, being a minimalist doesn't mean forsaking the holidays altogether. Use the items you already own, go outside and find some natural items, light some candles and display your holiday treats. Enjoy the holidays, then clear it all out with the New Year.</div>
The Minimal Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09539951087470755337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8299197623203387110.post-70452282420473788262013-12-11T07:00:00.000-08:002013-12-11T07:00:01.276-08:00Warm Minimalism: Simple Patterns<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpry81HIKAE1gNfFAwMrU2apb5c9r59EwWpiSFS2bgeXhoczIFFuSU2H0B_x4onZ-IfNgJODy8TkHhuKTfRBzygQQ2lDxmItzqZ7SHRXBI0yNfSQQKe6NO6O-Rcx8BZAZV8MNYUmmJko/s1600/5601f50553b225df471f50eba2847d37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpry81HIKAE1gNfFAwMrU2apb5c9r59EwWpiSFS2bgeXhoczIFFuSU2H0B_x4onZ-IfNgJODy8TkHhuKTfRBzygQQ2lDxmItzqZ7SHRXBI0yNfSQQKe6NO6O-Rcx8BZAZV8MNYUmmJko/s640/5601f50553b225df471f50eba2847d37.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I don't know what those little cards are above the bed, but they're so cute!The Minimal Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09539951087470755337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8299197623203387110.post-82918633525537915702013-12-09T07:00:00.000-08:002013-12-09T07:00:04.870-08:00Overdressed: Or, Why Your Closet is Full<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPIXv1GdO9bnJE6-9aprsclMcdV0X1H-UhA_Q-GsumXzQnSdDilzND_oiAvJN9pJbUEg-9Gcgs0yn5Po0K5KlwZuJpqrnEcbCfDXCcKcBI6IjCyoUhLSA6X-9_mfmueSVdKzXs3oi90U/s1600/overdressed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPIXv1GdO9bnJE6-9aprsclMcdV0X1H-UhA_Q-GsumXzQnSdDilzND_oiAvJN9pJbUEg-9Gcgs0yn5Po0K5KlwZuJpqrnEcbCfDXCcKcBI6IjCyoUhLSA6X-9_mfmueSVdKzXs3oi90U/s320/overdressed.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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As an aspiring minimalist with a love for fashion and shopping, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Overdressed-Shockingly-High-Cheap-Fashion/dp/1591846544">Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion</a> by Elizabeth Cline was right up my alley. I read it in a few days, and I recommend it to everyone interested in fashion, simple living, minimalism, or who is just curious about how clothing is made.<br />
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Have you ever opened your closet and wondered why you barely have enough room to store all your clothes, but also feel like you have nothing to wear? Fast fashion companies such as H&M and Forever 21 make their money by selling extremely large quantities of clothing. To get those large quantities out the door, they convince us to shop more often by encouraging a constant rotation of trends, so we want to buy more often. By creating clothes as cheaply and flimsily as possible, they can offer us clothing at incredibly low prices, so we can buy more often. That clothing wears out quickly, giving us another reason to shop more often.<br />
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The result is that most Americans buy more clothing than we know what to do with. Clothing is so cheap that we don't put a lot of thought into buying it - this shirt is only $10, sure, why not get it?<br />
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Obviously, this is unsustainable. When clothing is cheap, we throw it away rather than repair it, burdening the environment. And instead of enabling skilled tailors and seamstresses to make a living practicing excellence, we are encouraging companies to find cheaper and cheaper overseas labor, cutting corners in safety and quality whenever it can save a few bucks.<br />
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I was so impacted by this book that I was soon thinking to myself, "what do I do now?" I love shopping for clothes!<br />
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There are several ways to shop more purposefully, and I am currently working on a list of fair trade clothing and jewelry companies. But one simple answer is to <i>just buy less</i>. All of this mess is created because companies are simultaneously trying to meet and inflame America's bottomless appetite for stuff. They'll keep up the supply as long as we keep up the demand.<br />
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<i>Buy less.</i> In the book, Elizabeth Cline, the author, points out that even if we all continued to shop at fast fashion stores, if we just bought less than we do now, it would make a difference.<br />
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Sometime soon I'll post a list of fair trade clothing and jewelry companies, for those who are interested!<br />
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The Minimal Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09539951087470755337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8299197623203387110.post-47163948482040952212013-12-05T22:40:00.001-08:002013-12-05T22:40:24.457-08:00Warm Minimalism: Polka dot pop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When you have an all-white room, colorful artwork really stands out. I love how, in combination with the simple polka dot duvet, it creates a cheerful feeling.<br />
<br />
You can see the entire charming, warm minimalist house <a href="http://thedesignfiles.net/2013/11/melbourne-home-clare-cousins-ben-pedersen-and-family/">here at The Design Files</a>.The Minimal Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09539951087470755337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8299197623203387110.post-19824974373349075802013-11-30T09:52:00.005-08:002013-11-30T09:52:58.599-08:00Please Throw It Away<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiic_ZnT-O2pBe0dkd2OyXv0Z7ieRmiLzQzWNfUhwPOMd2BWr3SpgRJAoK8A_SgbPDry4wE0uW8Z6WplEgl0krCgr5w4QShy-Tl5Ozx8mOHH12dA-_YyJoeHzwhXtcpOs_0Cv-MzfYMEB4/s1600/throwaway1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiic_ZnT-O2pBe0dkd2OyXv0Z7ieRmiLzQzWNfUhwPOMd2BWr3SpgRJAoK8A_SgbPDry4wE0uW8Z6WplEgl0krCgr5w4QShy-Tl5Ozx8mOHH12dA-_YyJoeHzwhXtcpOs_0Cv-MzfYMEB4/s640/throwaway1.jpg" width="484" /></a></div>
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I found this on <a href="http://awfullibrarybooks.net/please-throw-it-away/">awfullibrarybooks.net</a> , and I just thought it was funny. I could write some post about the true meaning of "objects of lasting value", but I think this really speaks for itself.<br />
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What <i>is</i> that yellow lamp thing, anyway?The Minimal Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09539951087470755337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8299197623203387110.post-26949926544619605002013-11-25T07:00:00.000-08:002013-11-25T07:00:07.022-08:00Minimal Girl Considers Black Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today my husband sat down next to me.</div>
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"Now, I know we both dislike Black Friday," he said, "but I was just thinking: if there's something we need, maybe we should see if it's on sale on Friday."<br />
<br />
I agreed. So we sat there thinking about what we needed.<br />
<br />
Nothing. Zip. We needed nothing.<br />
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The only thing I came up with was a Microsoft Surface Tablet - which I have been coveting for several months now - but we agreed that was more of a "want" than a "need," and could wait until later.<br />
<br />
When I decided to become a minimalist, I was worried that I would feel constantly deprived and sad about not having new things. But instead, this realization that <i>we need nothing</i> was incredibly freeing! Here we are, a pair of freelance artists, making an average income, living in a single room - and there's <i>nothing </i>we need.<br />
<br />
So what will I be doing on Black Friday? Sleeping in and eating leftover pumpkin pie. Maybe my husband and I will go for a hike, or maybe we'll go for a date at a cafe. I dunno. All I know is that we already have everything we need.The Minimal Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09539951087470755337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8299197623203387110.post-37809920046415210222013-11-19T07:00:00.000-08:002013-11-19T07:00:11.937-08:00When you love what you have...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5M-Ye4Mj-Q3F2j3M4hd4vrb_dUSbFyJNOlDLC09dKX35NT3fHHDQVcsm54RomGuncED1jm411eiQqd21_ONLaTT-MswpV77gBWuaT4XTEoiU3MramFxX064tz4diKp9yPgxhWPeFBZ0/s1600/P_whenyouLOVE_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5M-Ye4Mj-Q3F2j3M4hd4vrb_dUSbFyJNOlDLC09dKX35NT3fHHDQVcsm54RomGuncED1jm411eiQqd21_ONLaTT-MswpV77gBWuaT4XTEoiU3MramFxX064tz4diKp9yPgxhWPeFBZ0/s640/P_whenyouLOVE_02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://kalbarteski.bigcartel.com/product/when-you-love-print">8x10 print by K.Barteski</a> $30</div>
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"When you love what you have, you have everything you need."<br />
<br />
A nice minimalist statement in beautiful typography!The Minimal Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09539951087470755337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8299197623203387110.post-29906705218366042562013-11-16T10:31:00.000-08:002013-11-16T10:32:31.023-08:00Confessions of a minimalist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgc6uVSMEmdHpDt_kPPgnipxdWvfd8KBVtFKj8GxlJJAdgu9IuCKJM5t0JOtwWKZAwmTE7hNUQ7jeECadci5H0TxZv_1_jo3qEY7o4R-GZb4v9bO-k2F-mogTUywYuZH1L8f4xydJINjQ/s1600/minimalgirl3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgc6uVSMEmdHpDt_kPPgnipxdWvfd8KBVtFKj8GxlJJAdgu9IuCKJM5t0JOtwWKZAwmTE7hNUQ7jeECadci5H0TxZv_1_jo3qEY7o4R-GZb4v9bO-k2F-mogTUywYuZH1L8f4xydJINjQ/s640/minimalgirl3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
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When my husband and I moved over six weeks ago, my attitude towards stuff radically changed, and I realized that I had far, far more than I wanted or needed. I started learning about minimalism and started this blog.<br />
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<div>
One struggle I have been having is learning to live with friends and family who are...um...not minimalist. In fact, the family members we're living with now are the most materialistic people I have ever met - shopping constantly and keeping everything. When they run out of room in their house, they take the things they don't want and put them in a storage unit. It's the opposite of everything I'm striving for in my own life.</div>
<div>
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My attitude towards others tends to swing between self-righteousness and envy. Self-righteousness as I think, "thank God I'm not as shallow and worldly as they are," and envy when I see the pretty new things they bought, wishing I could have new things too. Hypocritical? Absolutely. I'm just being honest with you guys.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
I know the answer, of course, is to simply accept people for who they are, and remind myself of all the reasons why I've chosen to live with less. It's just easier said than done.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Has anyone else struggled with this?</div>
The Minimal Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09539951087470755337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8299197623203387110.post-72382051154828170572013-11-13T09:52:00.000-08:002013-11-13T09:52:08.462-08:00Learning to Think in Multiple Dimensions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw99eSTPf_U2eX1cVgw4c1MYWmZaV5T2twznDTJyRt2R8cNz5hYP6XwQUu03UIxje89ugULpJKSzeVi_y2ruoSstOS_9vCQuR_md81kw7aYL494bzvZcOAR8hGtFAMI3RpQdwdDuQUgw8/s1600/minimalgirl8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw99eSTPf_U2eX1cVgw4c1MYWmZaV5T2twznDTJyRt2R8cNz5hYP6XwQUu03UIxje89ugULpJKSzeVi_y2ruoSstOS_9vCQuR_md81kw7aYL494bzvZcOAR8hGtFAMI3RpQdwdDuQUgw8/s640/minimalgirl8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Most of us, when we see something in the store, our default is to only ask one question:<div>
<ol>
<li><b>Do I want it?</b></li>
</ol>
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For other people, their one question is:</div>
</div>
<div>
<ol>
<li><b>Is it cheap?</b> (Or on sale, or a "good deal")</li>
</ol>
<div>
Ever look around your house and think, "where did all this stuff come from?" This is how it happens, because we're only thinking in one dimension when we shop. Becoming minimalist is learning to view things from multiple dimensions. When shopping, ask yourself:</div>
</div>
<div>
<ol>
<li><b>Do I have space for it in my house?</b></li>
<li><b>Do I have one already, or something similar?</b></li>
<li><b>Can I make this or something similar from what I already own?</b></li>
<li><b>How often am I likely to use this?</b></li>
<li><b>Is it difficult to clean or upkeep?</b> (Has multiple small parts, needs to be dry-cleaned)</li>
<li><b>Is it heavy or bulky?</b> (Important if you plan on moving often, like me)</li>
<li><b>Has a family member asked me to stop buying things like this?</b></li>
</ol>
<div>
Answering these questions honestly - and placing a product back on the shelf - is one of the most difficult parts of becoming minimalist. Advertisements and shiny packaging are designed to create so much desire that they totally override this questioning process. But once you become aware of this, I've found that asking these questions get easier over time, like strengthening a muscle.</div>
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The Minimal Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09539951087470755337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8299197623203387110.post-31611849795596681522013-11-11T09:54:00.003-08:002013-11-11T09:54:38.920-08:00Warm Minimalism: Rustic Entryway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZN0vjImzKriLVlfgQtO09nohVK_ITRFSNFIg6wHNaMN9ZVCUT84G_8wLt2KHb5HgWZXJ9nU5yPZbR-CXY9FiN-CGlND0XwVnPHvZvPn6NQ6HmynXNj5O1SyboG8869Fw2xdszc7psGNY/s1600/9e9edc207dbf7fab270693332f29d979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZN0vjImzKriLVlfgQtO09nohVK_ITRFSNFIg6wHNaMN9ZVCUT84G_8wLt2KHb5HgWZXJ9nU5yPZbR-CXY9FiN-CGlND0XwVnPHvZvPn6NQ6HmynXNj5O1SyboG8869Fw2xdszc7psGNY/s640/9e9edc207dbf7fab270693332f29d979.jpg" width="502" /></a></div>
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I have a thing for Southwestern patterns these days, and I love the rustic look of the bench! <a href="http://www.designsponge.com/2011/05/sneak-peek-ashley-helvey-miles-pederson.html">Check out the whole enviable apartment here</a> - every room is a perfect example of warm minimalism!The Minimal Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09539951087470755337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8299197623203387110.post-44287590950067513752013-11-09T07:00:00.000-08:002013-11-09T07:00:06.903-08:00You Are Not Your Stuff.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0HL3NMg-oQnS2CETH9_sNAPub1b2XfB7sbikFiQi6ET4sRDZYiQuEDACXFM63uJBtqqdpwUP0lw8OoPBZVhtxtrgPBb3waoa0sd0tGNSgEcTJSxIaoEBIfSkCfHFTIxy13UbijC39N7U/s1600/minimalgirl10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0HL3NMg-oQnS2CETH9_sNAPub1b2XfB7sbikFiQi6ET4sRDZYiQuEDACXFM63uJBtqqdpwUP0lw8OoPBZVhtxtrgPBb3waoa0sd0tGNSgEcTJSxIaoEBIfSkCfHFTIxy13UbijC39N7U/s640/minimalgirl10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Today I was helping my grandmother with her garage sale. She was selling a lot of the junk that belonged to her deceased ex-husband. An older woman came into the open garage and was very talkative.<br />
<br />
"I just saw a sign for a garage sale and dropped by," she said. She started flipping through the moldy vinyl records, talking to us about all sorts of things.<br />
<br />
<b>"I keep everything," she said. "My daughters tell me not to, but I say to them, 'when I pass away, you'll go through all of this stuff and then you'll know me. If you don't, you'll never really know me.'"</b><br />
<br />
I felt heartbroken when she said that. This woman's identity was totally wrapped up in her stuff - to the point where she felt like she couldn't have true relationships without it.<br />
<br />
But really, when one day she passes away and leaves a house full of garage-sale, thrift-store "memories," as she called them, are her daughters really going to go through each piece, lovingly, carefully, reliving each of their mother's memories? Probably not. They'll probably look at the cluttered house as a burden and a chore, and estate sale the whole thing - not because they didn't love their mother, but because stuff is just stuff.<br />
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<i>You are not your stuff.</i> I want to shout this message to the whole world. You are not your stuff. Be free.The Minimal Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09539951087470755337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8299197623203387110.post-42826451439345157192013-11-08T07:00:00.000-08:002013-11-08T07:00:05.862-08:00Warm Minimalism: Wall-to-wall bed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5lEWBR6sYy3GJqWuXQmXGOgsRBai8JuKEvsBSNZ98UzXRiu6A7iXp9iJsMp2b6ZcTtcEbj40TtyI0i-dKxPXNmWZIT7jzJzHge8CuiRdASslOl7jvH2R6IruWG0GjzCXL752y8XZn8g/s1600/4cf0fc2ee54c71f91a0f93399649c5c5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5lEWBR6sYy3GJqWuXQmXGOgsRBai8JuKEvsBSNZ98UzXRiu6A7iXp9iJsMp2b6ZcTtcEbj40TtyI0i-dKxPXNmWZIT7jzJzHge8CuiRdASslOl7jvH2R6IruWG0GjzCXL752y8XZn8g/s640/4cf0fc2ee54c71f91a0f93399649c5c5.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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The Minimal Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09539951087470755337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8299197623203387110.post-47410645563982488662013-11-06T12:15:00.001-08:002013-11-06T12:15:38.818-08:00How moving into a dorm changed my view of stuffI was a bit of an isolated kid in high school. My bedroom was my sanctuary, where I collected a lot of sentimental items, decorative items, and hobbies to keep myself entertained. They comforted me when I felt lonely.<br />
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When I moved into my first college dorm room, I brought boxes and boxes of stuff with me. Things like childhood books and momentos; I don't remember exactly what, just that it was a lot.<br />
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Those first few weeks of college were totally exhilarating. I quickly made friends and thoroughly enjoyed my newfound independence. I soon realized that I didn't need as many hobbies and books as I did before. I didn't need to surround myself with so many sentimental items, because my present was full of new friendships and memories and adventures. On my first trip back to my parents' house, I returned a lot of stuff right back to my childhood bedroom.<br />
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And on the next trip.<br />
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And on the next trip, until I probably returned over half of what I had originally brought with me.<br />
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I learned a few things from this experience:<br />
<ol>
<li>Whenever I focus on the present and the future, I find it easier to let go of things.</li>
<li>If I'm feeling happy and confident in my relationships, I find it easier to let go of things.</li>
<li>I never need as much as I think I'm going to need.</li>
</ol>
<div>
Does anyone else feel an inverse connection between healthy relationships and the need to keep things?</div>
The Minimal Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09539951087470755337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8299197623203387110.post-60021865415048411452013-10-31T12:42:00.005-07:002013-10-31T12:43:55.692-07:00Never Enough Space<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">My friend, D, collects Star Trek memorabilia. Anything Star Trek related he has to have. He actually has an entire room of his house completely dedicated to Star Trek - but his collection outgrew the room and is gradually taking over other areas of the house. Every birthday and Christmas D receives an avalanche of Star Trek merchandise, and he buys more throughout the year. He absolutely refuses to discard anything. If it's Star Trek, it's sacred.</span><br />
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"You'll just have to expand the Star Trek room!" one of D's friends said.</div>
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"Maybe I'll just take over a neighbor's house and fill it with Star Trek!" he joked.</div>
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That's when I realized: <b>D and his wife will never, ever have a big enough house.</b> Even if they expanded the Star Trek room to quadruple it's current size, it would quickly fill up.</div>
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<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
To me it seems like a sad cycle to be stuck in; being eternally dissatisfied with the state and size of your home, but being unable to part with anything, and always wanting more.</div>
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<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
But D insists that his stuff makes him happy. I wonder if it really does.</div>
The Minimal Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09539951087470755337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8299197623203387110.post-33153454144046961952013-10-26T07:00:00.000-07:002013-10-26T07:00:05.310-07:00My Minimalist Wardrobe<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0sqSvXkx0-DifOKEIEqSnzUxjT7XN_COdXWfhbVFku3VshjASK8oHw4t1w1jJbQ0A9ueeBMFCRC3W2izzNrmHUj93dKpahCcWty0DIhlSZOwpRCNOL7HwyBgKFVVYJeYfXaIytv78TQA/s1600/IMG_1512+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0sqSvXkx0-DifOKEIEqSnzUxjT7XN_COdXWfhbVFku3VshjASK8oHw4t1w1jJbQ0A9ueeBMFCRC3W2izzNrmHUj93dKpahCcWty0DIhlSZOwpRCNOL7HwyBgKFVVYJeYfXaIytv78TQA/s400/IMG_1512+(1).JPG" width="197" /></a></div>
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These are all my clothes. Not pictured: socks and underwear.</div>
</div>
<br />
When my husband and I moved, I got rid of any clothing I didn't really love. As a result, my wardrobe is pretty dang minimal. I was quite proud of the fact that my husband and I were able to fit almost all our clothing into a single suitcase. Here's what I currently have:<br />
<br />
<b>Tops: 15</b><br />
<b>Bottoms: 7</b><br />
<b>Dresses: 6</b><br />
<b>Coats: 4</b><br />
<b>Swimsuits: 1</b><br />
<b>Total: 33</b><br />
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These days I'm rotating between a few warm-weather tops. On the plus side, getting dressed is easy, and every day I get to wear my favorite clothes. But to be honest, after five weeks of this minimal wardrobe, I am getting a little bored, even though I haven't been shopping or looking at fashion blogs. My husband can wear the same shirt for several days, but apparently I cannot.<br />
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How do minimalist girls avoid wardrobe boredom? Any tips?The Minimal Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09539951087470755337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8299197623203387110.post-53868136694736598462013-10-25T09:23:00.001-07:002013-10-25T09:23:30.631-07:00Warm minimalism: colorful quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3tjfUv-tq3GsFta_Y1UAAyv-O7CEh7UeTmBlpz4o-J6QuNaOInWuZBl9nsMrIsuYAXIP4-gwdZysLZuh4a1cxaS3wsxpbv-cpt0N6UF8E4SCeqeT2ZtwnkbVd-GOD7SRGWmvh5KfmOE/s1600/cdac313fdd8382a23eaacd05f407fd26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3tjfUv-tq3GsFta_Y1UAAyv-O7CEh7UeTmBlpz4o-J6QuNaOInWuZBl9nsMrIsuYAXIP4-gwdZysLZuh4a1cxaS3wsxpbv-cpt0N6UF8E4SCeqeT2ZtwnkbVd-GOD7SRGWmvh5KfmOE/s1600/cdac313fdd8382a23eaacd05f407fd26.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.fantasticfrank.se/objektmall/?obj=OBJ17365_1152733231">image source</a></div>
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It's always nice to find an example of minimalism that isn't white-on-white-on-white. The brass lamp really compliments the warm colors of the quilt well.</div>
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The Minimal Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09539951087470755337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8299197623203387110.post-1174207015953054492013-10-22T07:00:00.000-07:002013-10-22T07:00:11.116-07:00Bracing for the holidays as a minimalistSomehow the single room my husband and I share is slowly becoming cluttered, even though we haven't purchased anything new. A lot of the clutter is paper and mail, which I just need to deal with. It makes me dread the holidays, just a bit. Usually I love Christmas and I love presents - but we seriously do not have room for more things.<br />
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Around family, I am trying to slowly, subtly make references to me and my husband's new lifestyle, so that it sinks in before my relatives start buying us Christmas presents. I'm not announcing "we're minimalists now!" because that would be awkward, you know?<br />
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This weekend my brother-in-law had a birthday party, and my husband and I were offered party favor bags full of little plastic trinkets. We politely turned them down. Almost immediately the teasing ensued. "Oh, so our party favors aren't good enough for you?" they joked.<br />
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I felt bad. I considered accepting the party favors and then later secretly tossing them. But this way, my husband and I are sending a message that we are serious about not acquiring more stuff.<br />
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My mother-in-law mentioned that she is already collecting our Christmas presents. Reflexively I said,<br />
"Well, we really don't have a lot of room right now, so-"<br />
"I'll make them small things." She said, kindly.<br />
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It's a step in the right direction, I guess.The Minimal Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09539951087470755337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8299197623203387110.post-60336908055747594222013-10-20T07:00:00.000-07:002013-10-20T07:00:04.618-07:00Warm Minimalism: A Floating Bathroom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDazz_2-y0NpyKZBvMnPRvmewNpgmofFoj5WEl7IBQTBCK3wZujjBLeNHatonFdqpoXj9VrvM9T7r5AchWOohUA-1QiMFJ96rcCP9TCEhR9JeijmgiwpU9cJemPYVCa4BqDUSEFFdoOg/s1600/e7d931aa4f205e183b783e2ae88c45af.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDazz_2-y0NpyKZBvMnPRvmewNpgmofFoj5WEl7IBQTBCK3wZujjBLeNHatonFdqpoXj9VrvM9T7r5AchWOohUA-1QiMFJ96rcCP9TCEhR9JeijmgiwpU9cJemPYVCa4BqDUSEFFdoOg/s640/e7d931aa4f205e183b783e2ae88c45af.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I love the weightless simplicity of this modern bathroom. The bare lightbulbs and weathered mirror give it a slightly industrial look. This bathroom is from a stylish apartment in Berlin, and <a href="http://www.dezeen.com/2013/08/10/prenzlauerberg-apartment-by-sophie-von-bulow/">you can see more photos here</a>. Imagine how few toiletries and beauty products you'd have to own to keep a room like this tidy!The Minimal Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09539951087470755337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8299197623203387110.post-5178184475894932422013-10-19T07:00:00.000-07:002013-10-19T07:00:05.968-07:00How Stuff Makes Us Happy or UnhappyA lot of minimalism blogs say "stuff can't make us happy," but I don't think that's completely true. Yes, ok, material objects can't provide true, lasting spiritual joy. But I still like stuff, and having new stuff. It makes me happy in a small way. For example, one of my favorite possessions is this bud vase from Crate & Barrel. It's beautiful and I really like looking at it.<br />
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<b>We all like stuff, let's admit it. Stuff <i>can</i> make us feel temporarily happy, but more stuff does not equal more happiness. More stuff can make us miserable.</b> People who suffer from hoarding disorders or cluttered houses describe it as "suffocating", "claustrophobic", "overwhelming" or "like drowning." That's pretty serious unhappiness!<br />
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We've all done it: we bought something that we thought would make us happy. We bring it home and have nowhere to put it, because our house is full. So we put it in a corner to deal with later.<br />
Then it stays in the corner, making us feel bad every time we look at it.<br />
When we do look at it we think "I would deal with it, but I'm just so busy."<br />
We trip over it and stub our toes.<br />
Other family members start to complain about it.<br />
When guests come over we feel embarrassed and apologize for the mess.<br />
We push it back further into the corner so we can have more space.<br />
We feel guilty about the money we spent on it.<br />
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Eventually the stress it brings has more than outweighed the happy feelings we felt on buying it.<br />
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<i>Not pictured: happiness.</i> <a href="http://uglyhousephotos.com/wordpress/?p=28099">image source</a></div>
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So, weirdly, the key to enjoying your stuff is having less of it.<br />
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That's my approach to minimalism. I don't think I'll ever stop liking stuff or buying new stuff - although <a href="http://theminimalgirl.blogspot.com/2013/10/my-story-giving-up-shopping.html">I am working on becoming less obsessed with it</a>. My goal is to have less stuff, so that when I look into my closet, or sit at my desk, or pack up to move to a new place, I feel happy.</div>
The Minimal Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09539951087470755337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8299197623203387110.post-39113410513626447672013-10-17T07:00:00.000-07:002013-10-17T07:00:08.057-07:00The one where I don't buy anythingI went shopping today, just for fun, for the first time in a month. My sister-in-law and two of her friends invited me to go to an antique shop with them. I enjoy looking at antiques, but generally don't feel a need to buy them, so I figured it would be "safe" for the recovering consumerist that I am.<br />
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And indeed, the antiques were mildly interesting but I lost interest about 40 minutes before the other girls did. I did find something really cool - an antique Turkish rug in pristine condition, with a bright pink pattern on it. Immediately I envisioned it in my future minimalist home - the fresh colors contrasting with the pure white walls and shining hardwood floors. It would really pop in a totally awesome way.<br />
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But I don't have that chic, modern home, and possibly never will. That's something I came to grips with in my last move. I realized that I had been keeping all sorts of stuff with which to decorate my future home - vases, decorative pillows and picture frames. But my husband and I are probably several years from owning a home, and until then we plan to live a semi-nomadic existence.<br />
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So I decided not to weigh down my present with items for the future.<br />
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Besides, the rug was $400. So....yeah.The Minimal Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09539951087470755337noreply@blogger.com2