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Posted in minimalism

“That’s Not Very Minimalist.”

I really had no idea how my family would react when I told them I wanted us to become minimalists. I knew I was committed,…

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unexpected benefits of minimalism
Posted in minimalism

4 Unexpected Benefits of Implementing Minimalism

There were many things I expected when shifting toward a more simple life. I anticipated we would have more money in our savings, time to…

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Raising Minimalist Kids
Posted in Family, minimalism, minimalist family

5 Important First Steps When Implementing Minimalism With Kids

Inside: Implementing minimalism with kids in your home may seem like an impossible task, but it doesn’t have to. Here you’ll find practical strategies to…

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    Year after year, we make resolutions with hopeful anticipation. Sometimes they stick, mostly they don't. Here are 8 reasons why your last attempt at getting rid of clutter failed.
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Book cover reveal!! 📚👀  Messy Minimalism releases in December and I couldn't be more excited to share the book cover with you!  Thank you all for your support and encouragement during this book writing journey. ❤️🤗 It’s meant more to me than you’ll ever know.  In Messy Minimalism I share a grace-based and relatable approach to living clutter free. It makes minimalism, which can at times feel out of reach and unsustainable, doable at every level. It's a story driven book packed with vital mindset shifts and practical tips for not just decluttering your home, but living clutter free for good.  AND it's now available for pre-order. (Sooo weird to write those words).  Have a wonderful week friend!  @broadleafbooks #messyminimalismbook
It’s hard isn’t it? Being where you are, all of you.  I’ve been out of the “office” (aka, my kitchen counter 👩🏻‍💻) this week. Soaking up some moments and sunshine ☀️ traveling with my little family. It’s been a treasure.  But even here, with all of my work responsibilities tabled, I find being present still takes effort.  I’ve been at this simple loving thing for over four years now, but it’s so easy to get off track. It’s so easy to lose control of our attention, which is in fact “our scarcest resource,” giving it to frivolous things.  On this trip, my husband and I have been listening to the book, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by @johnmarkcomer  Now, I’m pretty notorious for recommending books when I’m still half way through them, but this is SUCH a good one. 🤯 
It’s really causing me to reevaluate how I use my moments, attention and what it is I’m deeply after here.  If you’re looking for a thought provoking read on “How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in a Modern World,” this is a fantastic read.  👋 Have a wonderful rest of your week friend.
My most favorite things about spring -besides the obvious increase in sunshine ☀️ and temperature- are packing our winter gear and ditching socks!  It’s practical a holiday around here when I get to evict our snow pants from the coat closet. So much space...glorious, beautiful, open space.  My #minimalism with a family has never looked picture perfect. It sometimes feels like balled up socks peppered around our living room is a just some kind of style we are going for. 💁🏻‍♀️  Thank you summer☀️ for the reprieve. Here’s to that no sock life friend.🩴
When I first went minimalist, I thought the concept of a capsule wardrobe was rather ridiculous. I figured I'd end up spending more time micromanaging color pallets and capsule staples than I'd ever gain from the simplicity of it all. It just seemed like more work than it was worth.  I was wrong. Creating a capsule wardrobe isn't nearly as complicated as I was making it.  The problem is that we assume a capsule wardrobe has a specific look or requires certain kinds of clothing. Because of that, we often start the process of minimizing our closets by actually adding to them. We hop online to research "how to create a capsule wardrobe" and the next thing you know we've got a cart full of capsule "essentials."  Know this, whether you're creating a capsule for yourself or you children, you don't need certain items to pull it off. You don't need to ditch your favorites or donate your kids' Disney princess or emoji tops. 🤪 You can simplify your wardrobe and keep the fun. Minimalism isn't a style, it's a way of life.  Last week I chatted with Diane Boden, author of the newly released book Minimalist Moms, on the @minimalistmomspodcast about how, and why, we went the capsule wardrobe route to minimize the clothing situation in our home.  When creating capsule wardrobes for my kids, two things were important to me. One, that it was easy. And two, that they could keep their colorful, loud, style and favorite pieces. I never want my desire for simplicity to stifle their creativity and unique personalities. This grace-based approach to living with less has helped do exactly that.  Don’t miss episode number 164 of the Minimalist Moms Podcast.  Tell me, have you created a capsule wardrobe for your kids?  #capsulewardrobe #declutteringtips #declutteryourhome #minimalismwithkids #minimalistfamily #bemorewithless #project333 #minimalistmom #messyminimalism #seekingsimplicity
Less, but better.
Simple, yet productive.
Quality, over quantity.
Short and sweet.
I’m a rather sentimental person. Well, at least when it comes to certain things. My strategy for storing items of sentiment was exactly that... to store them. I’d wrap them up safe and sound, tucked away for safe keeping.  But what good can they do, what purpose can they serve, what joy can they bring, what sentiment can they remind us of when boxed away?  Today, I use and display my sentimental items. This blanket used to belong to my grandma. Rather than tuck it away, I’m letting it soak in the sun ☀️ and brighten our living room.  What heirlooms do you have tucked away that could be put to use or displayed and enjoyed with intention?  P.S. The verdict is still out in our home on whether this blanket is either horrendous or adorable.  My husband says he’s willing to see if it grows on him. I think it’s kind of fun, in a gaudy sort of way. What do you think?
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#minimalisthomedecor #simplifyyourlife #minimalismwithkids 
#minimalistfamily #lessbutbetter #minimalisthome #minimalistmom #vintagehomedecor #lifeonpurpose #lessstuffmorelife #simplify #simpleliving
As some of you know, I’ve been working on a project with my daughter over the last couple months.  We both adore a good quirky, thrifted, or (especially) vintage coffee mug. ☕️ While my personal collection of mugs is quite minimal, I’ve spent the better part of the last few months stockpiling an abundance of mugs in my basement. Why?  This week we launched @thethriftymug 🎉💃☕️😍The Thrifty Mug is an online and local shop we started for three reasons:  1. To help raise funds for the City Rescue Mission of Lansing @be_a_rescuer  50% of every mug sold will go to help the Mission offer food, shelter and hope to those in need.  2. To encourage others to #buyused first.  3. Offer other thrifty mug friends a carefully curated collection of amazing, second hand mugs.  I know, a minimalist selling coffee mugs seems a little odd at first glance, but that’s the thing about minimalism. It makes space. Space we can use for rest, adventure, meaningful work, and to even start a unique shop with your daughter. ❤️  @abundantlifewithless is still a place where I write to make minimalism doable. But if you want to follow our thrifty adventures, give us a follow @thethriftymug  We will be adding mugs to our shop as we find them from time to time.  If you’re a Lansing area local, you can find our mugs at the @lfa_farmmarket in Mason. We also offer free pick-up at the REO Marketplace LFA Farmer’s Market location for all online orders.  We don’t believe you need an over abundance of mugs in your cabinets, we do however, believe the ones you own should hold meaning to you or #sparkjoy 😍
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#whatmattersmost #broughttoyoubythrifting #buyvintage #lessbutbetter 
#vintagemugs #vintagemug #thriftyfinds #buysecondhand #thriftstorefinds #generosity #hopewriterlife #messyminimalism 
#lessstuffmoreadventure #consciousconsumerism
I used to hate being at home. 🏠 It was a cluttered and chaotic mess. 🤪 Because of that, I filled my calendar 📅 with any and everything just to avoid having to address that chaos.  For me, LESS was the answer.  Less stuff, less hurry and fewer commitments, helped turn my home into the solitude it has become.  It’s not “updated.” Our decorating style is “sharpie marker, hardened slime and acrylic paint drippings,” but man, do I love ❤️ being there.  If you want a more organized home, if you want to wind down at the end of the day in a living space rather than a storage space, let go of the excess cluttering it up.  #messyminimalism #becomingminimalist #declutteryourlife #declutteryourhome #tidyup #lessstuff #simplifyyourlife #simplify  #minimalismwithkids #minimalism #lessismore #minimalistfamily
She’s brave, fierce, curious, and quirky. But most importantly, she puts others first...except when sweets are involved. She has NO problem snagging the larger cookie. 🍪 Sweets are an “every man for himself” kind of situation.  This little daily dose of confidence and inspiration just turned 9-years-old.  Happy Birthday 🎈🎂 Little Leader.  “There’s a million things I haven’t done, but just you wait. Just you wait.” -Hamilton

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