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Family Life, the Universe and Everything with a Latte on the Side

Minimalism. Living with More with Less

Thursday, 1 February 2018

Your blog feed may be different from mine, but mine's full of minimalism and simple living.  For some this is a major change of heart and mind, whilst others may be jumping on the latest bandwagon.  

Minimalism is about only having the things you need, living with less, putting less value on things and more on people, relationships, experiences and taking care of the environment.  


Minimalism is a lifestyle while decluttering is a process.  Clean, tidy, take stuff to the charity shop. Rinse and repeat. 
 
Stained Glass in a Door


We're never going to be fully fledged minimalists but we've borrowed a few things from it. Like trying not to shop mindlessly or valuing things more than people.  

We're constantly told we need lots of stuff to be happy, successful and prove how great we are.  So not true. The Pinterest perfect lifestyle doesn't exist.  Trying to achieve it makes us tired, miserable and broke.

People are more valuable than stuff and investing in ourselves by doing things we enjoy and learning new skills is more fun.  Honest!  

Minimalism and simple living is what you make of it.  For some, it's having nothing more than the things they use everyday.  For us, it's trying to buy and use things more thoughtfully, avoiding clutter.  We have weird relationship with decluttering. As our house is only a "borrow", objects make it a home.  But as our house is only borrow, we'll move on eventually. When we do, we only want to take things we love or use with us.  

Having less clutter makes life less stressful and means less cleaning. Less buying and being content with what we already have make the bank statement happier. Knowing where things come from means better choices.  Doing less and spending time more thoughtfully means less rushing around and more time for nice things, like reading and being together.  All good.  

But ... But ... But ... I am cynical.  I wonder how much of what's written about minimalism is less about teaching people to live well with less and more about selling things that claim to give you simpler, happier, better life.  Much of which seem rather dull as they have no patterns, are in neutral colours, classic shapes or rose gold. Except the ones that are in copper.  "If everybody looked the same, would we all stop looking at each other?"   

As a wise man once said, where your treasure is, so will your heart be. True riches - time, health, friends, love, family or ... - not stuff.

I've got some other posts about this.  Some suggestions for simple lifestyle changes to incorporate minimalism into daily life without breaking a sweat and more detail about what we've been doing to keep us honest and one about loving the stuff you own.  Oh, three posts then.

Let me know what you think about this in the comments.

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Posted by Tubbs

28 comments

  1. thisiswhereitisat1 February 2018 at 10:56

    I am really loving the whole idea of minimalism and watched a lot of youtube ideas. It is important to find happiness other then having materialistic objects X #coolmumclub

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    1. Tubbs5 February 2018 at 14:14

      I love the idea, I'm not so sure that the way it's been presented in some places is helpful. Sometimes it seems more about the right look rather that the attitude and behaviours behind it.

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  2. Emma T1 February 2018 at 11:23

    I'd love to do a proper declutter - well, actually continue it and stick with it once done. Mainly so we can do a proper deep clean, get new carpets and actually decorate. It might stop the OH moaning too. But I go through phases, and as it's only me doing it (and the OH moaning, and blitzing when N and I go on holiday), we just don't really get anywhere with it. I almost just need someone to come in, clear it all out so I can sort it. I need to do a bit every day I think

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    1. Tubbs5 February 2018 at 14:15

      It's hard to do, particularly when they're small. Children are not minimalists! We found doing a bit each time - a drawer, a cupboard, a section of a room - helped if we then made an effort to keep it that way afterwards. Good luck finding a solution that works for you and your family

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  3. Unknown1 February 2018 at 14:02

    The extreme minimalist is quite the lifestyle. We've adopted somewhat of a minimalism life, but within reason to what works with us. I don't have one towel, fork or pair of underwear, but we do only keep things that are actually used. Also, I LOVE purging. Even wrote an ebook about it (free to subscribers).
    Thanks for sharing, #coolmumclub
    Katelynn, hampersandhiccups.com

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    1. Tubbs5 February 2018 at 14:16

      We've done the same. Whatever works! Thank you for commenting

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  4. Tracy Albiero1 February 2018 at 14:49

    I was told clutter is just unmade decisions. That is so me. I need to declutter! #coolmumclub

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    1. Tubbs5 February 2018 at 14:17

      Not heard that one before. It may be one reason, but may not be the only one.

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  5. Unknown1 February 2018 at 21:33

    I am really trying to embrace more of a minimalist approach, but I come from a long line of 'trinket' lovers and old habits die hard. I get very sentimentally attached to things that fill me with nostalgia!
    Thanks for sharing with #coolmumclub

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    1. Tubbs5 February 2018 at 14:18

      The sentimental things are the hardest I think. I know there are a few items I'll never get rid of because of the memories that come with them.

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  6. Unknown2 February 2018 at 12:14

    I find clearing out and having things simple and tidy makes me feel better mentally, but I love having my things around, and I think you should do what makes you happy! Thanks for linking up to #ablogginggoodtime

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    1. Tubbs5 February 2018 at 14:19

      That's so true! Thank you for commenting and for a reminder that the most important thing is to be happy in your space

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  7. Eva Katona2 February 2018 at 12:27

    I like your approach, mine is similar, aiming to buy less, especially new stuff. We need to declutter constantly as both hubby and son has sensory processing disorder and too much stuff and mess bothers them. #fabfridaypost

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    1. Tubbs5 February 2018 at 14:21

      Thank you

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  8. Carol @Comfort Spring Station2 February 2018 at 17:27

    My natural tendency is toward collecting and I have spent my adulthood trying to control and eliminate. I admire your minimalism tho it's not really me. #PoCoLo

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    1. Tubbs5 February 2018 at 14:21

      Fair enough! It isn't for everyone :)

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  9. Toby Goes Bananas2 February 2018 at 22:35

    I do try to declutter as much as I can but I'll never be a minimalist. When the clutter got too much we just bought a bigger house with more storage! I'm kidding, there were other reasons we moved but the bigger house does make it feel less cluttered even though we probably have more stuff now! #ShareTheBlogLove

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    1. Tubbs5 February 2018 at 14:22

      That's true! This is the biggest house we've ever lived in and it feels the least cluttered even though we probably have a similar amount of stuff as we did in the other two houses

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  10. Clairejustine3 February 2018 at 14:52

    I am trying to simply my life more over the next few month. I am trying to declutter and it is starting to feel great. So much to do though after having 4 children but I am getting there :) #PoCoLo

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    1. Tubbs5 February 2018 at 14:22

      Good luck!

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  11. Katy - Hot Pink Wellingtons4 February 2018 at 19:26

    I'm all for decluttering and living with less, but I don't find the 'clean white minimalist' look compatible with how I live - like you, I like colour too much! I have a good declutter at this time every year - I find after Christmas I'm in the right frame of mind to do it, and it helps to start the year afresh. Thanks for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove

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    1. Tubbs5 February 2018 at 14:24

      We always get the same feeling around August as that's when we've moved the last few times. Every summer off we go ...

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  12. The Queen of Collage5 February 2018 at 21:08

    Can't say I'm a lover of the latest rose gold trend. I'm firmly sticking to my favourite colours of pink and teal. Decluttering in our home remains a constant process. #SharingtheBlogLove

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    1. Tubbs9 February 2018 at 09:57

      Pink and teal sound lovely. :) Thank you for commenting

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  13. Su8 February 2018 at 20:05

    I wish I can live and be a minimalism. But I'm such a a hoarder! lol! Every little things is a memory to me. I think I need to work on that and let things goes.

    Thank you very much for linking up with us on #FabFridayPost

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    1. Tubbs9 February 2018 at 09:58

      Sentimental things are probably the hardest to declutter as each one is a memory of a person or an experience or ...

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  14. Stephanie 139a10 February 2018 at 18:51

    Like you I've borrowed some ideas, I think having less stuff is good for many reasons - I'm an accumulator so every now and then taking time to stop and think is good for me. I think some may have jumped on the bandwagon as you say, and I suspect equally some get comfort from being on trend. Me, I'm still going through my stuff! Thanks for sharing with #PoCoLo

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    1. Tubbs11 February 2018 at 21:00

      Thank you for hosting each week :) I always love seeing your wonderful photos of flowers!

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