About
I love spending time with my husband, three sons, and friends. I have several hobbies I enjoy like photography, writing letters, cycling, making quilts, singing, and reading books.
My Minimalism Journey:
I used to be what my family called "a material girl." I loved stuff as a child. I had several collections that I curated. I believed that I worked hard for my money and had a right to spend it on myself however I wanted to.
Yet even in childhood, I was drawn to small home living, simplicity, and the idea of enjoying the outdoors over being stuck inside with things that didn't add value to my life.
At 19, I decluttered memory boxes I had kept. I got rid of most everything in them and it felt freeing, but it took me a few more years to get a hold on myself with my spending and my collections.
When I got married at 20, my husband and I fit all our possessions into a small basement room. We did not own a lot, but our spending habits were not good. We started accumulating things once we moved into a larger apartment. We were foolish in our spending and didn't understand why we were struggling financially.
When pregnant with our first child in 2006 when I was just 22 years old, I realized that I was responsible for someone else's life. It was then that I decided to sell nearly all that I owned in order to just focus on being a good wife and mom. This is when my minimalism journey began. It changed my whole outlook on life.
The following year, I learned about the sustainability of items I owned and who was making the products that I bought. It made me more aware and conscious of my spending. This allowed me to value relationships I had with others and care little for owning more than what I needed or used regularly. I became content with what I owned and had more time to devote to my family and hobbies.
All these years later, I have consisted with a routine, being able keep myself and my family in check about what we curate in the home. I am someone who loves to clean, but does not have to do much cleaning because I own so little and the upkeep is simple.
“Happiness comes from within, from inside yourself, from living a meaningful life.”
― Joshua Fields Millburn
Minimalism has changed my life for the better.
Although the term "minimalist" wasn't known when I decided to rid my home of my clutter, it transformed my life and has helped my family.
My husband was not on board until quite a few years after me, but once he was, we were able to sell a lot of our things (to think of all that money we could have saved if we never spent it, which is why minimalist mindsets have helped us). We have completely raised our children as minimalists, that they have already become much better with their money and more understanding of what they have than we could have dreamed of.
It has helped free us of debts, give us extra money for family trips, has allowed us to be content where we live, and keeps our home comfortable and stress free.