What You Can Carry

Own only what you can carry with you; know language, know countries, know people. Let your memory be your travel bag.
Alexander Solzhenitsyn
Russian author & dissident in US (1918 – )

His Hands

I threw my cup away when I saw a child drinking from his hands at the trough.
~Diogenes quote

Photograph by Peter Essick, National Geographic

'Typical' Minimalists?

"We’re a pretty diverse lot, with people in a vast range of economic and family conditions, places, and employment. But to read some minimalists, you’d think we’re a nation of childless, 20-something information workers, living out of backpacks and Macbooks as we commute between $500-a-chair seminars on how to blog our way to financial independence.

There are not many people who would want or be able to live this manner."

Chris Baskind

Try..... more than twice their age, married, with 9 children, SAH-homeschooling mom with entrepreneurial dad, living in a big rental house because people think we need all the space and wouldn't rent a smaller place to us 'with all those kids', with out-of-commission computers (except for the ones through the school....thank God for funding), no money for seminars of any kind, and blog because I like it, even if I'm not a good writer.

That's what makes it a bit frustrating at times, to read about minimalists and the way they make their decisions in life, and then realize that it just is not even practical for a family like ours.  

Let's get real!!

They talk about 2 plates and 2 cups and 2 sets of cutlery because there are 2 adults in the house hold.  They undoubtedly wash their dishes after ever meal in the kitchen sink, and have the spotless kitchen ready for the next meal.  Add 6 or more children to the mix and its difficult to have a spotless kitchen except between the hours of midnight and 5am when all hungry littles ought to be asleep.  Once dawn breaks it can seem like an endless revolving door in the kitchen.   In our house at least, there are always glasses and tumblers on the counter for the constant need for hydration.  Re-used throughout the day.

I don't get excited about decorating in white.  I love colour, and so far my favourite kitchen was done in a deep red (blue-undertone ).  I adore green, almost any tone.  I love the serenity it invokes.

Going without a vehicle?  Not likely.  Try a gas-guzzling 15-passenger van.  I know.  Bad for the environment.  We are trying to do our part.  But we obviously blew it when we had our 2nd or 3rd child.  Could it have been the un-filtered water we drank?

We might be sleeping on mattresses or sleeping bags on the floor, but honestly, if we hadn't given beds up for light travelling 3+ yrs ago, we might still have a bed or two.  Don't get me wrong.  I'm quite happy without the beds.  But I don't think I would have just given them away if they were still in good condition, just to feel more minimalist.  And, the point to that would be...?????

If you are new at learning about minimalism, I warn you to think for yourself.  See what fits and what doesn't, and throw the rest of the ideas out.  Think about your relationship to your stuff--present and possible future purchases--and be mindful about it all.  Do what suits your family.  In all things, be yourself.  Be unique.

There is nothing Typical about being You.

The Minimalist Part I

I find this humorous, and hope you do, too!

I am Featured

I am featured over @ Everyday Minimalist.  Should be viewable at this link.

Everyday Minimalist writes a great blog that I follow.  Serena blogs about how being minimalist isn't about not owning anything, but about owning just what pertains to her living the life she wants, according to her own needs and desires.

Coveting

Who covets more 
is evermore 
a slave.

~ Robert Herrick

Featured on Miss Minimalist

Francine writes a wonderful blog as Miss Minimalist, and on Monday's she's been running a series where she features a reader of hers and their own personal journey of Minimalism.

Today, she's featured Moi!

So go on over and see the post, and be sure to check out other posts.  She has a wealth of information to share.

Give Away: The Joy of Less

Everybody likes a Give Away, and what better way to start the New Year and probably get pointers on how to accomplish some of your Resolutions (like decluttering your life!) than with winning "The Joy of Less" book over at  The Everyday Minimalist.  

Go on over there and see what its all about.

Regrets of the Dying

I look at this list as a guide as to how I might chose How to Better Live.

1. I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me. Disconnecting somewhat from my religious upbringing has helped in this area.  Fear is another common issue.

2. I wish I didn't work so hard. I think I have a fairly good grasp on this one.  And learning to live more minimalistic helps Everette not live with such pressure to produce.

3. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings. Not so good at this.  People-pleasing is an issue.

4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends. I have few friends, but some close friends.  And my family truly are my friends.  But sometimes I think I have bailed too often.

5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.  A real issue with me these days and has led to many discussions with Everette.  I understand "that happiness is a choice."  
"The so-called 'comfort' of familiarity overflowed into their emotions, as well as their physical lives." 


Yup, I can identify.

100 Thing Challenge, an interview

Man vs Debt did an interview with the creator of the 100 Thing Challenge which I found encouraging, and hope to pass that encouragement on to you too. A great way to start the New Year.

Check it out!

Miss Minimalist’s Gift Avoidance Guide

 Christmas is just around the corner, and I know that alot of you are busy with thoughts about Giving and Receiving.  We personally haven't been doing the Gift Exchange practice for about 10 years, I think.  My how time flies ;)  But it was an adjustment to make, and put some uncomfortable strains on some relationships around Christmas time particularly.  We were accused of ruining Christmas for Grandma, not allowing her the joy of giving gifts to her Grandchildren (which wasn't true, but .....Whatever), and taking the fun out of Christmas, and being Scrooges, and Extremists, etc.

But, looking back over those years, we are glad we put a stop to the insanity around the consumerism of Christmas (and Birthdays) as far as it pertains to our household.  And that's all we can do.  As it pertains to me and my house!

I subscribe to Miss Minimalist and really like her Gift Avoidance Guide, on how to help others adjust to not giving you a bunch of needless stuff to clutter up your space.

Enjoy the Guide.

Miss Minimalist's Gift Avoidance Guide

Crunchy Minimalist

Come visit me over at my new blog Crunchy Minimalist.

....where I'll try to keep it more on-topic, covering being a Crunchy Mama and the Minimalist Lifestyle.

I enjoy writing here at Be En-Couraged more like a memoir ~ whatever is going on in my life and whatever is interesting me at the moment.  So I'll keep it going.  I enjoy sharing about my life & what's happening with my children, and the good photos some family member occasionally captures.

But do come over to Crunchy Minimalist for a visit, and leave a comment.

Project 333 and How Minimalism is Shaping Up in our Closet

My new-fangled trend is to become a minimalist.  I think its more than a trend.  Its a new way of life we unknowingly ventured into 3 years ago when we left house and island for our cross-country adventure. 

It seems like at every new turn we are unloading more and more stuff.

But now we have a big house, fairly empty still although there are 10 of us in here (Layne is visiting).  Little furniture is making it uncomfortable in the living room with just some pillows and blankets we call 'the couch'.  But we are managing.

Taking a break from all the school stuff I've been busy with over the past few weeks, I checked out some of my favourite minimalist sites and was thrilled to find the Project 333.  When I read about it, I got excited to join in, and then a bit of panic rushed through my veins when I thought I'd have to pack away some of my stuff.

Project 333 is about restricting your wardrobe to just 33 items for 3 months, Oct 1- Dec 31.  That includes footwear, winter gear, etc.  Box excess stuff up, and put it out of sight for 3 months.  And at the end of the Project one might (easily) find that they don't even need the boxed items anymore!!

So, I checked out my closet and discovered (ahhhhh) I already had less than 33 items there.  So......I get to keep them ALL!!

 Added to what's in the picture would be 1 winter jacket, 1 wool jacket, 1 winter hat, a pair of driving gloves.

 If I had other things to pack up and put away, I wouldn't have my sandals here.  But I don't have things to put away so I'm leaving them out.  I also have 1 pair of runners I'm using, but no boots at the present time.

 I only own 1 purse.

 Up on the top shelf (see pic below) on the far left is this stack of 2 pairs of jeans (and 1 belt) for my next size DOWN from where I'm at.  I've gone from a size 14-16 to an 8 since Dec 2009..  I bought myself some size 6 jeans at Value Village so I've got them 'stored', along with a dress I bought in Quebec City for Layne's wedding (that Was Not!).  I'm keeping it for living in Mexico or Ecuador!

Beside that is some of the boys' out-of-season clothes.

 The Plastic box has my lingerie & 4 pairs of socks in it.  The next shelf down is Anders' clothes (he has a bit in the laundry) and Laars' clothes are on the bottom shelf.  Their socks and underwear are together on the floor.  Right above my purse and beside my shoes are 2 of the boys' sweaters.

Also not pictured are my 2 rings (other than wedding rings) my pendant and 1 set of silver earrings.

I believe my count is 31, including the pieces of jewelry and other non-pictured things I mentioned above.  That's without doing anything to my wardrobe.  I'm delighted!!


And then the other side of this big walk-thru closet.......

is Everette's stuff.  Not tonnes of stuff either.

Some Bibles and tallits on the top shelf, along with an empty iron box and about 4 pairs of shorts/swimwear.

The lower shelf is folded t-shirts and sweat shirts, a couple pairs of pants and a box with his socks and underwear.  He's really pared down, too.

I know its past the Start Date, but if you are interested in joining in, here's the rules:

Original rules

• When: October 1 – December 31 (It’s never too late to start so join in anytime!)
• What: 33 items including clothing, accessories, jewelry, outerwear and shoes.
• What not: these items are not counted as part of the 33 items – wedding ring, underwear, sleep, in-home lounge wear,  and workout clothing (you can only wear your workout clothing to workout)
• How: over the next two months, outline your 33 items, by the 1st of October, box up the remainder of your fashion statement, seal it with tape and put it out of site.
• What else: consider that you are creating a wardrobe that you can live, work and play in for three months. If you purchase items for project 333, stick with the one in, two out approach. Consider the essentials and stick to 33.

 This post isn't just about the Project 333.  I've taken the opportunity to show pics of how its looking for us now that we are in our own house and seeing that we really have pared down on our things.  In future days I hope to show pics of more areas of the house and show how we are minimalizing the stuff in our lives.
I'd love to hear if you join in. Leave a comment below, and let me know how you approach this challenge.

Thumbs Up for the House

wWe are moving to Sooke!

I heard from the landlady today and its all set for sometime next week.  Depending on how much cleaning and any fixing up she might have to do this upcoming weekend after the current tenant moves out, we will be residents in Sooke no later than Oct 1st.

Of course we are all excited.  Envisioning ourselves resident in the house isn't as cool as actually physically being there, but we'll practice patience for just another week!

Everette is excited to get his Victoria-area business going, and we'll all be working on our New Normal~ New Schedules.  So many routines get put on hold when you live in transition, and especially while we are staying with friends.  There are so many people to spend time with, more activities to do, less space, stuff unpacked, etc., so much goes by the wayside.  But in 2 weeks from now our family will be tweaking out how we want things done in our new house, and where we should store everything.  I love doing that.  And its a good thing, since Everette and I have had more than our share of moves.

Like I've mentioned before, I am excited to see what living a Minimalist lifestyle will look like for us at our new house.  It has much more floor space than I think we need, and a garage that doesn't fit our 15-passenger van and we don't own stuff to store in there (hallelujah!).  At present we don't even own couches or any living room furniture, and no kitchen table or chairs, or bar stools for the kitchen island.  So it will be sparse..... and lovely!!

And lots of places to store our books probably.  Books and games.  And we'll be setting up our infra-red sauna there too.  Everette's excited about that.

There are 2 bedrooms upstairs (besides the master bedroom) perfect for making a Boy's Room and a Girl's Room.  The obvious arrangement would be for the girls to take the pink room, and the boys get the girls room.  But those of you who know Maret know that she's going to be sleeping in the Boy's Room!!

That's it for the news about the house for now.  I can post pics when we get moved in.

Danica (she likes that spelling better than Danaka) and I had a good weekend in Vancouver area.  She joined me along with my Mom and Layne at a free event with Amega Global on Friday night, and then I spent Saturday at a training day while the 3 ladies shopped at Value Village and then Danica and Layne hit the White Rock beach for awhile.

Us girls stayed up way past my bedtime chatting which was enjoyable, and I got to sleep in Sunday morning and awoke to yummy smelling  (but absolutely not healthy) crepes suzettes made by mom.  Then Layne and I watched 'The Living Matrix' which was a fascinating documentary we had to keep pausing so we could discuss it.  Its all about energy fields, particularly about zero point energy field, and the amazing creation and functioning of our bodies.

The best part about going away is the coming home.  It's true.  I was a proud mama to find Everette brought 5 of the children to the ferry to pick D and I up.  The hugs and kisses are always so precious.  And I have such a handsome man to greet me.

I am Blessed.

More Update?.....I have a new site I'm building and will be moving some of my applicable posts from here over to there.  It's at www.crunchyminimalist.com but you'll have to give me a few days to get something up!  It's extremely minimalist (blank) at the present time (hehehe).

Much on my plate, actually.  Everette and I decided to enroll 4 of the girls for distance schooling. They are in practicality still homeschooled as they won't be attending a day school in a building, but this year we will be meeting goals of the ministry of education and being answerable to them with weekly contact and some portfolios throughout the year.  It will be more structured than we are used to, but I know that all of us can rise to the occasion, and in a weird sense I am looking forward to some accountability, not because I believe I need to answer to others about the successes/failures of my children (I do that before God) but because knowing that someone else is checking up on me might just be what I need to pull up my socks and do more of what I actually say/think I want to be doing.  I'm sure you all know how easy it is to procrastinate.  Easy as pie!!

Danica and Maret are both planning to take some online courses, and the rest will be facilitated by Yours Truly.

100 Thing Challenge

In my research on the Minimalist Lifestyle I wrote about the other week, I came across the mention several times about the 100 Thing Challenge created by Dave Bruno.  I've been reading his posts, and the plethora of comments he gets and enjoying the read.  I get so excited in anticipation of how Minimalist we will live in our new place, since its harder to see what stuff we actually have when its still in boxes and we are sharing 'stuff' with our friends while we stay here.

One of Bruno's posts that I really liked is 3 Consumer Justifications That End in Crap.  These are excuses or justifications that I personally use all the time.  Actually just this morning I was contemplating "It would be wasteful to get rid of it."  After all, I didn't spend any money on it (rain boots and snow boots for Gaelyn) as my friend gave them to us, and she just might need them this autumn/winter.  We have space to keep them both, and we can always get rid of one or both of them in the future if they turn out to be virtually useless to us.  Blah blah blah.

The 100 Things Challenge isn't about an ideal number of anything.  People can determine themselves how they count up their things.  There is total Individualism in how you count.  For example, Bruno counts all his (300) books as One Library.  As avid readers and un-schoolers we have already thinned from about 2500 books down to less than 500.  (Because they are in boxes at present, I don't actually know the number.  I guessed high because I probably can't be trusted to approximate accurately, otherwise I'm tempted to say we only have 200, but I think that might be dreaming.)

Some people would count their 20 pairs of footwear as One, but others would count it as 20 (and probably would thin that down!)  Socks are likely to be counted as One item, as would all your socks.  But that's all dependent on how you would set up your own system.

I think that there is a danger of seeing 100 Things as a possible 'holier than though' thing to hold over other people who chose to live with more.  And one could pat themself on the back if they purchased/acquired something new (but not needed) and discarded something else but kept their total under 100.  The idea behind the 100 Things Challenge is bigger than the tally of things one owns.

We clutter our lives with unnecessary stuff (often produced un-ethically) and spend our money and time and energy in maintaining it, and missing out on the bigger things in life that we dream of.....like time to stroll the beach in the evening with our lover or children, or slowly sipping our favorite drink with a friend, or reading the book you've been wanting to read, or....whatever it is that you don't have time for now!!

We aren't going to find our happiness in collecting stuff, nor in keeping our personal stuff to a total of 100 Things.  Whether we have 1,000 or 10 things, our happiness will come from within our hearts and minds, the thoughts we entertain about the world and who we are in that world.

I am not a total of the things that I possess.

I am the Love that interacts with the world.

Making Room

Minimalists don't spend their time and energy collecting, cleaning, moving, & maintaining unnecessary stuff.  They de-clutter so that they have more time and space and energy to devote their time to doing the things they enjoy more. 


Whether that's  traveling,         cooking,
         reading,               writing,       
    visiting friends,
playing games,      dancing,  
          making music,      
scuba diving.
                     Whatever.

The average person from developed countries is busy working to pay for new stuff, most of which is unnecessary stuff.  Or they are working to pay for the stuff they've already acquired on credit.  Or working to maintain their stuff, or store their stuff.  

While we've been looking for rentals, we've seen our fair share of opened garage doors, and the vast majority of those garages are full of so much stuff that the vehicles are left parked outside of them.  

You know exactly what I'm talking about.