As a life-long minimalist, when life felt overwhelming, I would declutter my objects or my calendar to bring about more balance in my experience. Our culture is one of excess and overconsumption and I found that regular, judicious editing made life more joyful and manageable.
Four years ago, I sold the home that I had raised my children in. I was planning to travel and write in my retirement. God laughed at those plans and I have spent the past four years as caregiver to two family members. I have also moved five times.
As a minimalist, my identity is not tied to the objects I use and own. But in each of the five new spaces I have lived in these past four years, I have done what I could to make the space more functional and beautiful. Solely because it makes me happy to live in a simple and serene space.
Recently, I have felt a strong desire to create a more permanent home, a sanctuary space for myself and my son. I have bought a condo in a beautiful area of the city. It is near public transportation, shops and Forest Park.
I have not given up on my dream of creating a net-zero energy use home, but we will live here while I marshal the resources to create that dream. In the meantime, look to this space for the journey of creating a beautiful and calm space in the new home.
Congrats on the condo. I am looking forward to seeing how you make it Quaker stylish.
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I am eager to show you. Right now, it is a lot of work!
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Sent from my iPhone
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I had to struggle with WordPress so long to get here, that now I’ve forgotten what I was saying. We miss you at Meeting. Sounds as if you haven’t succumbed to Covid-malaise, and for that I’m happy. Did I miss some news about your mother?
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Sorry that WordPress has been an obstacle, but glad you found your way here. I miss Meeting. I do get Zoom-malaise. No news about mum. She is alive and kicking, though somewhat more weakly than before.
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I’m glad to hear of this new development! Wishing you peace and joy.
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Good to hear from you Gail. I think you will be especially interested in my native species plans for the balcony!
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I’m really excited to see how you make your new home minimal! I have followed your blog for a very long time! I expect to be in a similar situation as you in a few years – selling the home my kids grew up in and moving to a smaller, more simple space after they “flee the nest.” I don’t want to wish time away but I know that some day I will venture even more into simplicity and minimalism, and I”m looking forward to that.
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I hope that your path to your new place in a few years is a little less circuitous than mine has been. Yet-the shedding of almost everything that I own made it easy to create a new simple home.
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Congratulations! I’m looking forward to your future posts about your new home. Happy Holidays.
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Thanks Pam! I have much to be grateful for this very strange year.
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So looking forward to posts regarding your new home. Merry Christmas!
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Thank you! And Happy New Year!
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I remember many times when life got in the way of dreams. I’m glad you have found a beautiful sanctuary for this stage. I’m still inspired by your minimalist vision but haven’t made much progress Ba
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I think that minimalism is a meditation on what we value. While the universe is infinite, our bodies have limited time, space, energy. Knowing that and acting within its parameters leads to a particular kind of freedom. That is what motivates me.
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Hello Fawn, your words about decluttering when life becomes overwhelming resonate with me so much. At the moment we are awaiting results of tests to see if my husband has bowel cancer and I am constantly wandering around the house to see what I can get rid of. Especially when I find myself awake at three and four o’clock in the morning! I am glad that you have found a home that you feel will be a sanctuary for you and your son and wish you both peace and happiness there. Looking forward to hearing all about it.
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I am sorry to hear that you and your family have this particular struggle right now. It does give a clarity about what is important and what is not, doesn’t it? I pray the test results are negative, but know- if they are not, most bowel cancers are highly treatable and survivable.
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Thank you for the kind words Fawn. Wishing you and your family a Happy Christmas.
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Congratulations Fawn! I know it too will be a serene retreat for you and your son. 😘
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Thank you! Miss you! Eager to hear about your new adventures!
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Congratulations on finding a safe haven! I look forward to a glimpse of your surroundings when you are ready, you seem to have a gift for making it just right 🙂
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Thank you! I do enjoy beautifying my surroundings. One could have worse hobbies, I suppose.
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