The Super Simple At-Home Manicure
You know what's better than the fanciest manicure?
The manicure that actually happens.
This manicure is more than trimming your nails, but far less than a pricey, fume-filled visit to a nail salon. I love colorful polish, smooth hands, and the occasional bit of nail art. However.
Life as a mom means salon visits can tumble down my priority list. But I don't give up on #selfcare.
If you can find time to be alone and present and really focus only on taking care of your hands and nails, then this manicure feels lavish.
It's a three-step manicure that works for men and for women.
Step One
Trim or shape your nails.
Right now I'm in a phase where I like my nails to be super short, so I trim the tips off completely. But for this step you can maintain whatever shape you like with a file or nail clippers.
Step Two
Exfoliate with something from around the house: table sugar.
If you're traveling, snag an extra packet from a coffee shop.
Place a pump of liquid hand soap in your palm. Then, over a sink, pour the contents of the sugar packet into the soap, and mix it up. Rub the mixture all over your hands for one minute. Then rinse your hands well.
They should feel smooth and polished.
Step Three
Moisturize your newly-softened hands.
My favorite moisturizer was discontinued so I can't recommend it anymore. Currently I am using grape seed oil as a moisturizer. I purchased it from a grocery store, but if I wanted to order some via Amazon, I might try out this version.
My main recommendation regarding moisturizers is to choose things with short, simple (no surprise there) ingredient lists. Things that go on your skin are absorbed into your bloodstream. When in doubt, use something you could eat. That's why I love to use food oils like grape seed oil, coconut oil, and olive oil in my hair and skin care.
Don't trust marketing; look at the ingredients listing. Something for "babies" or "sensitive skin" can still have harmful chemicals because regulations in the US are quite loose when it comes to skincare products. I also like to check products against EWG's SkinDeep Cosmetics Database. I don't use it religiously, but more as an educational guide.
Here's where I'll get a little woo.
Send your hands gratitude as you do this manicure, and especially during this final step.
Your hands do so much for you. Think of all the different things they help you do each and every day. They really do deserve to be taken care of.
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Tell them thank you and imagine sending them healing, loving energy as you massage in your moisturizer.
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This quick, simple manicure, done with presence and care, can be revitalizing and luxurious.
Enjoy!
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Why Minimalist Living is More Than a Decorating Trend
Minimalist living is not just a lifestyle choice, it's a design trend.
It's been trendy and stylish for a while now.
And I don't think it's going anywhere.
Sure, the "look" may change. Different furniture, textures, colors may come into style. That's all interior decorating.
But minimalist living should not be confused with a decorating style.
So why is minimalist living more than a decorating trend?
Minimalist living is the lifestyle that results from intentional living.
It's values-based living. It feels good to live by your true values. Often it creates a minimalist look in your home because you've realize - ah ha! I value spending my time with people! Therefore I want to spend less time cleaning, organizing, and maintaining my stuff. So that I have more time with my people. (Or my dogs. Or my knitting. Whatever.)
Sure, some people may cultivate a minimalist look in their home because it's in style, and they value keeping up with the trends. That's a value. Others may value things like freedom, creativity, presence, and wellness.
And the intentional part is that it takes focus, effort, and intention to live out our values through our actions and shape our environment so it truly reflects and supports our values.
Living out our values is minimalism or essentialism.
Each day has 24 hours in it. Gary Keller, author of The One Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results, writes "You need to be doing fewer things for more effect instead of doing more things with side effects."
You know this. That's why you're here on a blog about simple living. So what are your values? Not the values you think you should have. The values you actually have.
Part of intentional living is self-honesty. It's probably the most important part. Once you identify your values to yourself honestly (and you don't have to talk about them with others unless you want to), only then can you examine your life to ask yourself if you're living intentionally.
Are you living by your values? That is intentional living. Taking fewer actions for "more effect" instead of doing, doing, doing, without examining what it's all for.
Quite a few people don't know what their intentions are behind 80% of what they do. That is called unintentional living. The result is usually regret and behavior that hurts themselves or others: harmful, embarrassing, or even abusive behavior.
I was recently watching a newscast of Aretha Franklin's funeral service. Singer Ariana Grande performed, and afterwards, the leader of the service, Bishop Charles H. Ellis III pulled her toward the pulpit in a horrifyingly tight and ongoing grasp which inappropriately reached the side of her right breast. She grimaced and appeared to try to pull away but he only groped more of her breast more tightly the more she struggled. After a social media outcry, he apologized, saying, in part, "It would never be my intention to touch any woman’s breast." So what was his intention? I suspect it wasn't to #respectAriana. I suspect he was living untentionally, and as a result, he publicly groped a young woman.
Quite a few people have intentions to live out certain values, but those intentions go unfulfilled. We end up living other people's values, or values defined by what we see on television or social media. You could those empty intentions, because we aren't living our own lives. When we see what we're actually doing day in and day out, we see ourselves living some other idea of what our life should be, not what we really want. The result is usually poor self-esteem, confusion, and self-doubt. Eventually it can result in depression and stress-related health problems.
For example, pretty much every politician has stated values and intentions when they campaign that they are then unable or unwilling to fulfill while in office. Then because it's so painful to be honest that they couldn't fulfill intentions, they lie to themselves and their constituency about it, creating more difficulties and distrust in the whole system.
It takes time to learn intentional living. You could say it's part of growing up and taking responsibility for your life and your choices. But no matter how old you are, it's an ongoing process, and it's never too late to begin or start over. It's takes courage, especially when you see that what you value is different than what is considered valuable in mainstream society or what is depicted on screens small and large.
But it's never too late. So whether you got into minimalism through a desire to have a clean, minimal-looking home, or because you want to live out your own values, I invite you to stay past the interior design trend.
Because minimalist living is really about examining the purpose of everything (not just furniture) you have in your life and choosing only what really supports your true values.
If you enjoyed this post, you might also enjoy my #1 Amazon bestselling book on the topic of embracing minimalist living for more joy, health, and creativity.
And if you haven't yet, sign up for the 3-Day Decluttering Challenge below to jump start your minimalism journey.
Small Things Others Live Without
The inspiration for this post comes from one of your requests.
I think this is a great topic to learn more about for minimalist living. I'm also curious what other people have given up to live a little lighter and easier.
The heart of Simple Living is NOT to live in a sparse, empty home lacking in basic comforts. This movement comes from the reality that most homes in North America have way, way, way more stuff than we need. It's a landslide of stuff, and it's stealing too much of our time to move it, store it, clean it, maintain it, and replace it. It's keeping us busy and cutting into simple, joyful presence with ourselves and our loved ones.
It also takes time away from habits that keep us healthy.
Not to mention the impact on the environment.
There are so many things that we don't need. Maybe other people need or want them, maybe we have an item because it's standard and it's just always been the way things are. But simple living asks "Do I really need this?" and "What's it for, really?" and "Can something else serve just as well?" and "Is there a different way that would work better for me?"
A small and rather funny example is number one on my list:
Small Things Others Live Without
1) A cutlery separator
It's a kitchen item, usually made of plastic, that some people really love. I posted over the summer in the Minimalist Living Facebook group that I realized I don't need to buy one for each of the apartments I live in. (I'm a nomad and frequently finding myself furnishing homes).
The bottom line?
I have no trouble quickly finding a fork, knife or spoon even when they are partying together. I save 1-2 minutes daily spent separating them when emptying the dishwasher is saved because I can simply dump the clean cutlery into the draw.
And it's not just about the saved time, it's about how the task of emptying the dishwasher SEEMS that much easier. And that makes it more likely to get done. Which makes my kitchen stay cleaner, which makes me happier.
And it all comes down to just a little more joy daily.
The comments on the post are funny in that they show our intense relationships with organizing our stuff. Many people agreed with me, and there was even a question over the need for a cutlery drawer at all.
Others, however, admitted they'd be driven crazy over the intermingling of their forks, knives, and spoons and the lack of apparent organization in the drawer.
The comment section is proof that, as the character Emma says in the Jane Austen novel of that name, "One half of the world cannot understand the pleasures of the other."
Your Own Path
It seems that there is never too much encouragement to take your own path. Never too many reminders that you don't have to do or possess what others expect you to.
You're free.
So here are four more things you may never have questioned before that others are finding a way to live without:
2. A toaster (and most kitchen gadgets like popcorn poppers, breadmakers, and deep fryers)
I haven't owned a toaster in quite a while.
I'm a fan of keeping small kitchen applicances only if you're going to use them at least once a week. If you don't use it once a week, there's usually another way to make the dish.
For example, you can fry bread in a pan instead of toasting it in a toaster.
Obviously, you can bake bread in the oven instead of a breadmaker.
Coffee makers are nice, but a simple pour over brew is also quick and easy.
And you can google just about any other alternative technique you’re interested in.
Want to read more about Kitchen Minimalism? Grab the guide I wrote with my husband on kitchen essentials and how to cook great meals with a few key items.
3. High heels and "Special Occasion Clothes"
Minimalist of five years Janell Kristina shared about this in her YouTube video "Things I STOPPED Buying & Owning"
I'm all over this one.
After a long, emotional goodbye, I no longer own high heels. They are pretty, but I don't wear them. And it's silly for me to own a shoe just to look at it. As for special occasion clothes, I love them, but find no reason to own them, especially because I don't like to repeat special occasion outfits. Unless it's a very basic LBD look.
What do I do for special occasions? I will shop something from a thrift store and then re-donate after wearing. For my sister's wedding, for example, I found a dress and heels at a thrift store. And then I gave them away after the wedding.
I also love Rent the Runway or borrowing from friends as an alternative to thrifting special event pieces. I have a couple of friends who are very passionate about fashion and have fashion-based businesses. They love to lend out pieces from their extensive closets.
4. Underwear
I need to keep it fresh. Have you questioned the need for undies lately? If you want to hear from someone who chooses not to wear them, (and the compelling health reasons behind her choice) check out this video from Brittany Taylor
Truly a small thing, panties, but still worth asking if you would be healthier and happier without them.
5. A couch
This is a big thing, not a small one, but I think it deserves a place on this list.
Francine Jay of MissMinimalist.com wrote a blog post called "questioning the couch," that includes this paragraph:
"instead of arranging delivery on a heavy, expensive sofa (the resale of which we would someday have to orchestrate), we decided on a more lightweight, mobile, and versatile option: we threw two Ikea Poang chairs and a coffee table into our Mini, and were on our way. And thus we completed the task of furnishing our flat."
It's good practice to question what we can live without.
We practice this in our homes, with our stuff, and then we apply it to more areas of our lives: careers, money, lifestyle:
What am I doing because I'm just following the herd?
What can I tweak so that it works better for me?
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How to Overhaul Your Kitchen Drawer
I know I should cook more.
It's healthier than eating out and it saves us money.
But when my kitchen's a disorganized mess, cooking seems harder and I'm more likely to skip it.
It's a lot easier when my kitchen is as simplified as possible, when I have everything I need, but nothing more.
Let's tackle one kitchen mess that's out-of-sight, and therefore frequently cluttered:
The kitchen drawer
I know you love before-and-after stories, so for this post, I'm teaming up with my dear friend Morgan Cooper.
She's an activist, urban farmer, restaurateur, mom, and chef.
Before….
And she has a great before-and-after story.
She writes, "In any cluttered home, there’s always a few places that are extra cluttered. In my house it’s my utensil drawer in the kitchen. Yes, I’m publicly admitting this. The shame."
See Morgan’s before picture to the right.
“Didn’t want to use any of them”
She writes, "When you love cooking, you are always looking for a utensil you enjoy using. I didn’t love the round wooden spoon, so I got a flat one. Didn’t love that so I tried another shape. Pretty soon I had collected 10 different utensils and didn’t want to use any of them."
In addition to her many other roles, Morgan runs an organization called Handmade Palestine that supports local artisans in the Middle East and funds environmental protection and education.
She writes,"I went shopping and actually got a dozen different utensils, not for my own kitchen, but to stock and sell for Handmade Palestine."
It was then that she found THE kitchen utensil that changed cooking forever in her own home kitchen in Ramallah, Palestine.
The Spatula that Changed Everything
"I didn’t realize why that drawer was so packed with unused utensils until I discovered and bought my perfect, favorite spatula. It’s made from sustainably sourced olive wood (points!), that is the result of annual pruning on the trees. The wood has been aged three years so it doesn’t crack, and then it’s been hand-formed on a gorgeous old machine in a basement of a wood craftsman’s home in Bethlehem. Handmade. Sustainably sourced. Organic wood. I was sold on it," Morgan writes.
After….
After realizing her love for the spatula (and dissatisfaction with the alternatives), she overhauled her kitchen drawer. Now it looks like this:
How you can Do it Too
Identify your favorite kitchen utensils that do the essential kitchen jobs you need for your favorite meals.
Then come to terms with the fact that it's just not true love with the rest of them. It's time to give them away.
Now when you reach for a kitchen tool, it will always be your favorite one.
A Multi-functional Tool
I regularly ask readers what they want me to blog about. Someone in the Minimalist Living community on Facebook asked for "purchasing tips for a multi-functional tools."
Morgan recommends this spatula as a multi-function tool and loves it for her kitchen.
She writes, "I especially loved the slight curve at the end of the spatula (it gets off all the brown flavorful bits stuck to the bottom of the cast iron skillet!).
It has a handle that is great for holding (I, unlike my mother, am not a fan of the skinny handle)."
Here are some of the various ways Morgan uses her spatula:
As one half of salad tongs (she now owns two)
To lift the corner of my pancakes and then flip like a spatula
Stir batter and steaws instead of a wooden spoon
Smack my husband’s bum when he acts out, ok, I just threaten it
Caring for Olive Wood
Morgan adds:
"This is olive wood, so it’s really smart to oil after washing. If you don’t, that’s okay too. But it gets a bit dried out and can chip. And if you don’t oil it (just rub some warmed olive oil on it once it’s dry), you’ll pick up the beautiful color of tumeric--as I have on mine. It just adds some charm to my last and only kitchen utensil I’ll ever buy."
A meal in progress using the perfect spatula.
A meal in progress using the perfect spatula.
I too can recommend this spatula which I've been using almost every day in my kitchen since purchasing one of my own.
If you want to purchase one for your own kitchen, (or for a gift) you can do so here. Handmade Palestine offers international shipping.
A Good Cause
I don't profit by your purchase of Morgan’s favorite spatula. Profits from the purchase of this fair trade product go to support Mashjar Juthour, an "eco project on 2.5 acres of publicly accessible land where native trees are protected and where the community comes to learn about Palestine's natural heritage."
I've personally visited Mashjar Juthour many times and it truly is a beautiful and very special place.
How often can you purchase a product that will to help you simplify your kitchen, bring back the joy of cooking, AND also contribute to peace in the Middle East?
It’s not every day. But today you can.
(It makes a great gift too, as you are quite literally extending an olive branch to the recipient.)
Take Action
Whether or not you purchase this specific favorite spatula mentioned in this post or find true love with another kitchen tool, go overhaul your kitchen drawer today and find your own favorite utensil that will make cooking a pleasure.
Interested in more tips and tricks to ease cooking stress? Read SIMPLE KITCHEN: The Essentials You Need to Cook Your Most Joyful Meals.
Defining Terms in the Simple Living Movement
Minimalism.
Simple Living.
Zero Waste.
Essentialism.
Nomad/travel lifestyle
Frugal living
Intentional living.
Seven different, yet related, movements, seven different buzzwords, all of which I've been known to use from time to time.
What does it all mean?
If you're feeling a little confused, read on for definitions as well as the vibes associated with each word:
Minimalism: A movement in art and decor in which less is beautiful. Also, a lifestyle of owning a minimum of stuff and also doing less for your own particular reasons: for the aesthetics, for your budget, cleanliness, stress reduction and more. Vibe: the "strictest" on the list and often associated with a modern, monochrome visual style, a keen eye for editing, and the ability to say "no."
Simple Living: A movement that rejects the onslaught of pointless complexity and busyness in our lives. Usually emphasizes quality time with family and friends and simple pleasures like a good meal, a hug, or a sunrise. Vibe: Family friendly, a bit "crunchier" and/or more outdoorsy than minimalism.
Zero Waste: A movement that aims to decrease or almost eliminate household trash entirely. Some focus areas include: bulk buying, reusing, repurposing, repairing, recycling, and composting. Vibe: There's a wide spectrum here, from people just wanting to decrease their use of plastic to a hard core contingent that applies a huge amount of energy to achieve the goal of not needing a trash can in their home.
Essentialism: A movement defined by the 2014 book Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less, by Greg McKeown. Similar to minimalism, but instead the emphasis is on the essential activities of your life and career more than a culling of your possessions. Vibe: Many of the examples of the book come from the corporate world and specifically the tech world, but the concept can be widely applied to just about any sector of life.
Nomad/travel lifestyle: A trend towards traveling significantly more than is conventional. Often, traveling or living abroad for more of the time than one is in one's home country. While not strictly associated with the above movements, nomads tend to be minimalists because having less stuff makes a traveling lifestyle much easier. It also makes it easier to say "no" to many other things that don't bring joy. Vibe: Often seems limited to young adults without children or retirees, due to the inconveniences of traveling with children. However, there are families up for the challenge. (Including mine!)
Frugal Living: A lifestyle that helps people spend less and save more money. The most financially focused of the movements, frugal living is all about paying off debt, sticking to a budget, staying out of debt, saving money, and finding cheaper ways of doing things. Often associated with the also-money-aware simple living movement. Vibe: Very family focused, very practical, often with a focus on affordable groceries, meals, couponing, and anything to keep to a slim household budget.
Intentional Living: A movement similar in some ways to essentialism in that it's about making thoughtful, conscious choices about what your life will be and nixing the rest. Includes a consideration of the "why" behind actions, especially choices around purchases, travel, career, and living situation. Vibe: Often intentional living advocates are somewhat counter-cultural because they've realized a norm in the culture isn't working for them, or for the environment, or for people they care about.
I hope you find my definitions helpful!
Which movement(s) do you feel most connected to?
If you liked this post, tap the heart button below, and if you want to share it, there’s a button for that too. Please share this blog as a way of helping others simplify to live their best lives.
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10 Mom-Friendly Simple Wardrobe Classics
I tend to avoid trends.
While I enjoy fashion, It just doesn't feel right to select what I wear based on what is in style. The fun in fashion for me is finding pieces that feel amazing on, and that I feel flatter my body. I appreciate when I see other people do the same -- especially women who don't have a "fashion magazine" body-type. I see great outfits everywhere, and most of them are made of classic pieces that fit just right, plus accessories where form and function meet.
That doesn't fit my life
You can find lots of lists online of claiming to be the final word on classic pieces that are always in style. However, I don't always find many of those lists realistic for my work-from-home mom lifestyle. I'm a parent, and I'm fairly active, and a traveler, so things need to pack well, be up for an occasional workout, and be good for chasing a three-year old. I feel like most classic wardrobe lists are made for... maybe someone who spends a lot of time at cocktail parties. And that's just not me.
For example, most of these lists include a little black dress. But that's a waste of capsule wardrobe space. If you have a black skirt and a black top you can create the look of the LBD, while having the flexibility to have other looks to from the same pieces. Another example of the failure of a "classics" list is they often include a trench coat, which really isn't that practical. It's not a rain coat, so it won't keep you dry in a downpour. And it's not a thick winter coat, so it won't keep you that warm. They look best styled with dresses and handbags, not the jeans and diaper bags or backpacks needed for parenting.
So what are these classic yet stylish mom pieces?
Here are the ten real mom life-friendly pieces I've never seen go out of style.
The List
1. JeansMultiple pairs. No frills, no holes, no weird trendy shapes, colors, or embellishments. Color: black or blue (or both).
2. V-neck tee
A v-neck is classic and flattering on most body shapes. My all time favorite is the v-neck tee from Encircled.
3. Black stretch pants.
You could call these yoga pants or leggings. Whatever you call them, these are a casual desk—to-yoga-to-playground staple.
4. Button-up Chambray Shirt
Sometimes the chambray shirt is more in style or less so, but I’ve never seen it completely out as a great momiform layering piece.
5. Black and white maxi
Whether it’s a maxi dress or skirt, this piece is something I usually get a lot of wear out of. My recent version is a black and white floral maxi I picked up at a vintage shop. Here’s a screenshot from a google image search for “black and white maxi” which is a good thing to do to get an idea of what you want before you start shopping.
6. Cotton camisole tank top
I wear these organic ones from ethical brand Pact.
7. Olive shorts
Olive is a darker, greener version of khaki that I find is more flattering on most people. Khaki shorts are often quite light/bright in color, which not only draws the eye, but tends to show dirt and stains.
8. Black running shoes or sneakers.
As tempting as it is to buy sneakers in any other color, eventually I regret it if I don’t go with basic, classic black.
9. Black zip tote or market bag.
I bought a very plain zip bag at Walmart. It’s insulated, which means the liner folds out and I can clean it. I’ve used it for everything from a farmer’s market bag to a diaper bag. And it’s so plain and an assuming that it doesn’t scream “I have to carry lots of stuff because I’m a mom.”
10. Black sunglasses.
I think all black sunglasses are the only classics except maybe aviators. But with aviators the nose piece part always gets stuck in my hair when I put them up on my head, so I opt for black sunglasses.
That’s the 10
Hopefully, this list helps you simplify your closet so you can get out and enjoy your life!
If you liked this post, tap the heart button below, and if you want to share it, there’s a button for that too. Please share this blog as a way of helping others simplify to live their best lives.
Finally, if you haven’t signed up yet for the free 3-Day Decluttering Challenge, you have a chance to do so below. You’ll get a three-day burst of inspiration and instruction, plus The Simple Sunday, my weekly note on how to edit your life for more joy.
Get Motivated with These 10 Simple Living Websites
So you're interested in living simply, right?
It's a topic I've been writing and coaching on for a while now, so I compiled this top 10 list.
These websites all help you live a more simple or minimalist lifestyle. The list is heavy on inspiration, rather than tools, because I believe if you feel inspired, the right tools tend to come to you easily.
I hope you enjoy these sites as I have.1. Becoming Minimalist
Joshua Becker helps guide one million readers with a humble voice and an encouraging attitude. He writes that the blog "quickly became a place to encourage others, the word 'becoming' representing an open invitation to all. It does not boldly require anyone to 'be' minimalist overnight – nor does it specifically define the word for you. Instead, it encourages you to consider the journey and the far-reaching benefits that come from owning less."
2. Be More With Less
Courtney Carver is an Oprah Magazine featured motivator. She gently guides readers on "mini-missions, " like "One In Two Out," that help make living simply achievable. Why listen to her advice? She says because she has "made all the mistakes. I have made a bunch of money and spent even more. I have been too busy, too tired, too full, too stressed and too overworked for too long and I’ve changed my ways."
3. 750words.com
I love this site and I use it almost every single morning. It helps me clear my head and do the internal/mindset work that keeps me from using shopping (or eating, drinking, drugs… etc.) to make me feel better when my heart is blue or my mind is confused. I love to journal, get ideas, dream, and even track my daily word count here.
4. The Minimalists
The Minimalists, (Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus) may have been my very first introduction to the online minimalism community. Through them, I realized that there were lots of people like me, who just weren't buying into the whole, well, buying thing. At least not the consuming-as-a-lifestyle thing. I love how they manage to fit both of their (very different) personalities into their blog posts. podcasts, books, and tv show. Uniquely, they tend to get a bit more philosophical and spiritual about decluttering than other simplicity/minimalist bloggers.
5. Miss Minimalist
Author and blogger Francine Jay is a celebrity in the world of minimalist living. She has sold over 150,000 books and been featured on CNN, BBC, and NBC. To me, she stands out in the sea of minimalists online because she cares about fashion and beautiful design. I love her "Real Life Minimalist" series where she profiles her readers in their own words.
6. Pinterest
I chuckle at myself when I realize why Pinterest helps me live simply. It's because in Pinterest Fantasy World, I can have anything I want. One of the cornerstones of living with less stuff is halting all shopping-as-entertainment. Every item I buy is carefully considered, with few whim purchases. Before Pinterest, I missed the visually enticing experience of shopping. But now? Why go shopping in the real world, when you can have it instantly on Pinterest without leaving the comfort of your home? Instead of buying, just pin it.
7. A Slob Comes Clean
Dana White takes a very playful approach to sharing about cleaning, organizing, and decluttering on her blog and podcast. She’s the author of two books, including her most recent book Decluttering at the Speed of Life. “Looking for perfection?” she writes. “You won’t find it here.” Instead you’ll find reality-based cleaning and organizing strategies.
8. Zero Waste Home
And now for something a little different! Bea Johnson is a celebrated author, speaker, and lifestyle expert. She and her family of four have reduced their annual waste down to what can fit in a small jar. While simple living can be said to encompass zero waste living, I’m very, very far from a zero waste life. However, I find the possibilities inspiring. We can all learn how to move, bit-by-bit, in a zero waste direction.
9. ZenHabits
This one is possibly my favorite simplicity blog, if I had to pick. There's a reason ZenHabits is one of the top 50 websites in the world, according to Time Magazine. Writer, runner, vegan, and father of six Leo Babauta writes for two million monthly readers about how to build habits for a peaceful, healthy, simple life. He sounds like a superhero, but if you read his work, you get the feeling he's a regular guy who has slowly and steadily made healthy changes in his life. The website is the most simple and tranquil I've ever visited.
10. SimpleLivingToolkit.com
Well, you’re here already so I don’t feel like I have to extol the virtues of my own blog. My mission here is to help you simplify to live your best life. I’ve been writing on this topic for over six years and my book has been downloaded nearly (SO CLOSE) 100,000 times on Amazon Kindle. I try my best to mix the philosophical (i.e., why we choose simple living) with the practical (i.e., the t-shirt that should be in your capsule wardrobe).
That’s it!
If you liked this post, tap the heart button below, and if you want to share it, there’s a button for that too. Please share this blog as a way of helping others simplify to live their best lives.
Finally, if you haven’t signed up yet for the free 3-Day Decluttering Challenge, you have a chance to do so below. You’ll get a three-day burst of inspiration and instruction, plus The Simple Sunday, my weekly note on how to edit your life for more joy.
What Does a Minimalist Home Look Like? 🏠
A: Whatever a minimalist wants it to look like.Minimalism and simple living mean different things to different people. For some, minimalism simply means not owning a lot of stuff. For others, it might mean living simply in a small space where everything is multi-use or foldaway. And for still others, it might refer to a spare, modern style of interior design.
There are many ways to be a minimalist. Your home can reflect a minimalist aesthetic (sleek lines, bare white walls...) but it doesn't have to. If you enjoy living simply and with only things you love, there's a great variety of ways your home can look.
As proof, today I'm sharing...
5 Unique Minimalist Living Spaces to Inspire You
1. Will and Jen’s Tiny House
What a thoughtfully designed tiny home in an unusual setting (not on wheels in the mountains or a backyard, but built in a subdivision).
2. This Fold-Up Kitchenette
This product from Culshaw Bell provides a lot of culinary power in a very small space. It’s a unique piece that would fit in any minimalist home. Also, just seeing how it’s designed is inspiring for what you can do in a small space.
3. Sleek Lines and Modern Style
This space exhibits a minimalist design as well as a minimalist approach to stuff. Although it was posted in 2014, I think it looks very stylish and up to date in 2018. Minimalism can be very classic.
4. The Professional Minimalist
Check out Joshua Fields Millburn's (of The Minimalists) home (for his family of three) right here via his blog. It's enough to make any minimalist sigh in admiration, or mutter "OCD!" jealously under her breath. Or is that just me?
5. Minimalist Home Tour
Here's another video tour of another minimalist home from "Sharayah Simple." I like that it seems, perhaps, more realistic than the others with the baby gear and the artwork.
Find what works for you
I love seeing how each minimalist defines his or her own version of minimalism. I hope these 5 different types of minimalist living spaces have you inspired! Now go and find what kind of minimalism works for you.
21-Day Minimalist Living Challenge
I love a challenge.
Especially a short one.
This minimalist living challenge will help you declutter and live more simply and intentionally in 21 days. It's for people who need a little kickstart of inspiration and instruction to get started with simple living. It will get you focusing on what matters.
If you start now, it will end right before holiday gifts start pouring in.
But you can start it anytime you choose.
The 21-Day Minimalist Living Challenge
Do one item per day.
(Below there is an image you can save or print for reference.)
1. Write a 1-sentence vision of how you want your home to look and feel.
2. Plan a internet-free day.
3. Cull your wardrobe.
4. Write down your 3 most-dreaded clutter categories.
5. Go without makeup.
6. Don't spend money on except food and necessarily consumables.
7. Write a 10-item gratitude list.
8. Wear the same outfit for three days in a row.
9. Declutter your #1 most dreaded clutter category.
10. Meditate for 10 minutes.
11. Plan a fun or relaxing outdoor experience.
12. Spend 10 minutes freewriting your own eulogy.
13. Read an article about an inspiring minimalist.
14. Pick one item from each room in your house to give to charity.
15. Call a friend who lives far away.
16. Meditate on what you would take with you if your house was on fire.
17. Declutter your grooming items.
18. Decide on 1 thing you will no longer do. Write it down.
19. Download one e-book or audiobook about minimalist living. (Recommended.)
20. Plan coffee with a good friend you'd like to catch up with.
21. Hire or barter help in an area that is not your strong suit.
Save this image digitally or print for easy reference:
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Finally, if you haven’t signed up yet for the free 3-Day Decluttering Challenge, you have a chance to do so below. You’ll get a three-day burst of inspiration and instruction, plus The Simple Sunday, my weekly note on how to edit your life for more joy.