Creating A Minimalist Lifestyle

There’s a true freedom not owning a ton of things.  We’ve all noticed travelers in the airport with one carry-on bag, while others are lugging two large suitcases they can hardly manage.

There’s something comforting about having exactly what you need with you, knowing where it is, not looking for more of it, while moving around easily.

Often I've been that traveler with one carry-on vacationing for two weeks with everything that I needed.  Then I would go home to my apartment with a bunch of stuff.  It only made me wish I was back in that serene hotel room.  It was beautiful, comfortable, refreshing, and peaceful.  It represented something I didn't have at home.  Simplicity.

At the end of 2009 I started doing something about it.  I started tossing, selling, and donating everything that I didn't love.

One room at a time the energy shifted and I noticed that I felt lighter.  This new energy I was creating made me thrilled.   Whenever I had free time I went through more items.  I noticed more and more bags where being recycled, donated, sold, or trashed.  As I'm continuing to do this, I’m seeing more areas that can use a little more attention.

I was drawn to minimalism for a couple reasons…

• More time to use as I desired.

• Less things to want, more money to save.

• A clutter-free beautiful home.

• Freedom from consumerism.

• More peace of mind.

What’s not to love? Enough said.

Image by D Sharon Pruitt