Beloved readers- I know that many of you wait eagerly all year for this post. And most years I have been equally eager to post it. But this year? Meh. Let me explain.
While I stand by my previous statement that minimalism makes almost everything easier, this has been a difficult year by any standard. I have moved. Twice. My youngest son has been hospitalized. Twice. And he has moved in with me, as he is currently unable to work or attend school. That makes three moves this year. He is undergoing treatment and we have high hopes of his disability being temporary.
So while my decades-long minimalism made all that moving a lot easier, I haven’t been excited about minimalism, like before. Just grateful for it during this challenging year.
But my dear readers have reminded me about how much fun minimalism can be and encouraged me to post the yearly count of stuff. So here it is:
Clothing (59 items total)
Add to the count 9 hangers seen in previous photos and 18 undergarments.
Miscellaneous Items (item count 16)
Personal Care (total items #7)
I’m not counting the 4 items of make-up which are consumables, but included them in the photo, for those curious about my make-up requirements. Just these 4 items: foundation, eyebrow pencil, mascara and hair tamer.
Also not included in the count this year: furniture and kitchen stuff that I share with my son. We combined households and there is some duplication, but I am not sorting it out until we determine the length of our rooming together.
I am ever so grateful for you all, my readers, and I will answer any questions you have about the count or my process of deciding on objects.
Quaker Stylist 
Hi Fawn,
I’m so sorry to hear about your son’s troubles. Life stays full of surprises – Even a minimalist’s life can get complicated in a heartbeat. I’m glad he has you to fall back on and that you are able to accept the complications he brings. As my dad warned (and encouraged) me “Everything ends.”
Holding both you and your son in the Light, Lou
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Dear Fawn, I’m so sorry to hear about your struggles this year((( You and your son Mike are in my prayers. Thanks for the count. It’s such an inspiration for me. Please, take care of yourself too!
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Oh dear, sorry to hear you son’s been having health troubles. The good thing about minimalism is it makes trying times a lot easier to get through because there’s less chaos to muddle the mind and emotions.
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Yes, that is so true.
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Fawn – I am so sorry to hear about your son’s health struggles! I hope he gets better quickly.
I agree with the comment that the simplifying you have done make dealing with a health crisis somewhat easier.
I love the annual count posts (and all your posts)! No dishes or pots/pans? Just curious.
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There are an excess of dishes and pots due to the marrying of the two households. I haven’t had the energy to address it. Maybe a future post?
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I’m so sorry to hear of your sons health troubles. I hope he returns to being healthy soon.
Thank you so much for posting this. Such inspiration!
AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY! (this is the month, right?)
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Yes, I turned 60 yesterday and am already enjoying my senior discounts! Half price gym, free pool….
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Your counts (and the photos of your calm living space) are inspirational- it’s helpful to keep them in mind when j feel like I need additional items in my home/life!
I hope your son’s health improves, and the upcoming year is more settled than the last
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Happy birthday (one day late), Fawn! I wish you all the best in the coming year. Enjoy those senior discounts.
I enjoy your blog so much! You really are an inspiration to many – including me!
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Thank you for posting this; I always look forward to your inspiring annual counts! You are so accommodating to your readers, and we bless you for sharing! Sorry to hear that your son has experienced challenges this year. Hope his health stabilizes into a full recovery and that he is able to move forward in peace and wellness. Glad you were able to be there for him. And Happy Birthday to you! You will rock your sixties! (Yay for senior discounts!)
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Thank you for your well wishes! Just goes to show that minimalism works when life gets real, that it is not just an “Instagram worthy” life choice. Though it often is Instagram worthy. 😉
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Happy belated birthday. Thanks for the list it always inspires me. Hope your son is back to good health soon x
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Thank you for your good wishes!
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Somehow I missed this! This is SO SO HELPFUL. I am sitting at my closet this very minute making outfits and getting rid of stuff that is torn/ugly/too tight. I’m a super minimalist and yet the stuff creeps in. And bags–where so they all come from? Next up is the bathroom cupboard. Your assemble of toiletries is so inspiring. It never ever gets old. The best thing ever!
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Best thing ever!?! Ha! But thanks!
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PS Would you be interesting in sharing what you keep in those paper files? I need to simplify our papers!
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Folders are labeled: ATT (internet and phone), Ameren, Appliance manuals, Automotive, Computer, Credit union, Death, Fawn, Fawn: medical 2019, Home, [my mother’s name], Mike: banking, Mike: medical 2019, Mike: records, Mike: Social Security, Mike: college, Money, Patrick: loan, Spire: natural gas, Taxes: Fawn 2019, Travel, Novel, Writing ideas, Poetry
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As always, you are an inspiration! Also am hoping that your son’s health steadily improves in the months ahead. And am sure that your minimalism has made this all somewhat easier. I myself am coping with a relatively minor health problem: a bad knee. Not life threatening but highly annoying. Makes leaving the house or even going upstairs to take a shower a very big deal. (To leave the house, six steps from the back door to the ground. To take a shower, 17 steps from the first to the second floor. But who’s counting.) As long as I stay on one floor, I can hobble around, very slowly, with the help of a cane. In areas of my life where I have simplified, dealing with my mobility issues is relatively easy. In areas where I haven’t yet simplified, things are more complicated. Maybe this will encourage me to simplify more.
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I’m sorry to hear about your knee. You are so right that simplifying makes a difficult situation less difficult. I hope it is a temporary problem that heals quickly.
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Thanks for these details! I really need to do this.
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