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I’m Not a Minimalist, I Just Don’t Like Stuff

Home » GAPS Diet » I’m Not a Minimalist, I Just Don’t Like Stuff

Minimalism - Health Home and Happiness Style

Why less stuff will give you more joy, and why you don’t need to completely subscribe to the minimalist philosophy to reap this joy

They say that struggles are what make a person interesting. I’m not sure about that, but I have received clarity in my life from many of the associated struggles.

Struggle has made me rock-solid sure that people are more important than things.

Every time.

Growing up I was the crafty child that saved the green transparent plastic scoop that came with my mom’s laundry detergent, every scrap from every art or craft project, and hundreds of mementos from trips, movies, and school activities were scrapbooked with care into my paper scrapbook, never to be looked at again.

Fast forward to my early 30s, and looking into my empty drawer in my nightstand, dresser with 5 colors of the same shirt, and the under-the-stairs-storage area that only has my vacuum, mop, dust wand, and broom in it, many people would assume I’m a minimalist.

What is a minimalist?

A minimalist is someone who intentionally owns less. They enjoy the sparse look, enjoy using one thing for multiple purposes, and identify themselves by what they don’t own, or how little they do own.

That’s not really me.

My early years of struggle both by having a child with special needs and having significant financial issues when my children were little resulted in me learning that my life flows a lot more smoothly when I own less.

gg bridge

Why less?

I also have money, time, and energy freed up to do things that make memories with the people I love – hiking, camping, visiting family, doing craft projects with the kids, and even blogging.

I also have learned to intentionally choose some things to purchase that aren’t minimal at all (I love books, and outdoor equipment, and I take so.many.pictures.).

Less Now, More Later

But there are many more items that I don’t own, or put off and make do without items for years until I can afford what I really want (furniture) or am in a place where we don’t plan to move again soon (in the case of holiday decorations).

Priorities

When deciding what to buy, what to keep, what to save for – what are your priorities?

We can’t do everything, so what is your focus for right now? What can you get rid of from past focuses that are not serving you any more?

 

 

Read More:

  • Having a Child with Special Needs and Owning Less Stuff

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About Cara

Cara is the main author here at Health Home and Happiness. She loves the health and energy that eating well and playing well provides and has a goal to share what she's learned with as many families interested in making healthy changes as possible.

She helps other families achieve health in simple steps through healing their gut with the GAPS Diet and helps them stock their freezer for busy days with the Allergy-Friendly Afternoon Freezer Cooking Class.

Previous Post: « Spicy Zucchini Crockpot Soup with Ginger – Paleo, GAPS, SCD friendly
Next Post: Minimalism and Parenting Children With Special Needs »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cindy

    August 11, 2014 at 10:18 am

    The link to your friend’s books does not seem to be working

    Reply
    • Cara

      August 11, 2014 at 1:12 pm

      Thanks for letting me know! It’s fixed now :)

      Reply
  2. bwall75

    August 21, 2014 at 3:23 pm

    “A minimalist is someone who intentionally owns less. They enjoy the sparse look, enjoy using one thing for multiple purposes, and identify themselves by what they don’t own, or how little they do own.”

    I don’t agree with that statement at all. Minimalism is simply intentionally owning less. Nothing more than that. It’s not “enjoying the sparse look” or any of the other things quoted above. I have been actively minimizing for years and I intentionally own less. I consider myself a Minimalist. However I by no means identify myself primarily by what I “don’t own” or how little I own.

    Be everything you have said in this blog post (aside from the part I disagree with) YOU are a minimalist. And, that’s not a bad thing.

    Reply
    • Cara

      August 21, 2014 at 4:04 pm

      No, it’s not a bad thing. I just don’t call myself one. It’s just personal preference. I also like mason jars, flannel shirts, and bearded men, but do not identify as a hipster ;)

      Reply
      • Mrs. K

        August 22, 2014 at 9:25 am

        ^^Ha!

        Reply
      • trista

        September 7, 2014 at 12:45 am

        i totally loled!! :)

        Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Special Needs Children: Why It’s Easier to Own Less | Health, Home, & Happiness (tm) says:
    August 12, 2014 at 7:26 am

    […] I’m not a Minimalist, I just Don’t Like STUFF […]

    Reply
  2. Keeping Children From Feeling Deprived When You Own Less – the importance of adding back in good things | Health, Home, & Happiness (tm) says:
    August 28, 2014 at 8:19 am

    […] I’m not a Minimalist, I just Don’t Like STUFF […]

    Reply
  3. Simplifying and Being Intentional with Giving, Fundraisers, and Donations | Health, Home, & Happiness (tm) says:
    August 30, 2014 at 10:43 am

    […] how we look at giving, donations, and fundraisers.  This fits right in with our series on ‘we’re not minimalists, we just don’t like over complicating life‘ series that we’re doing right […]

    Reply
  4. How to Organize Children’s Clothes | Nourishing Minimalism says:
    September 1, 2014 at 4:18 pm

    […] You can read more about Cara, where she typically writes about the GAPS diet and traditional food on her blog:  Health, Home, and Happiness and check out her current series on living simply here: I’m Not a Minimalist, I Just Don’t Like Stuff […]

    Reply
  5. Simplifying and Being Intentional with Giving, Fundraisers, and Donations - Health, Home, & Happiness says:
    November 18, 2016 at 11:36 am

    […] how we look at giving, donations, and fundraisers.  This fits right in with our series on ‘we’re not minimalists, we just don’t like over complicating life‘ series that we’re doing right […]

    Reply
  6. Instant Pot: Safe and Effective for Healthy Diets - Health, Home, & Happiness says:
    January 25, 2017 at 4:24 pm

    […] an Instant Pot was a decision that I thought through over a few months. As you know, I’m not a minimalist, but I just don’t like extra stuff– and I was fully prepared to get rid of the Instant Pot if I didn’t use it often. […]

    Reply
  7. Review: Time4Learning Online Homeschool Program - Health, Home, & Happiness says:
    October 25, 2017 at 9:35 am

    […] so I try to be flexible and work with their needs as well as my own.  Part of this for me is that I need minimal stuff, and to stay on budget.  I’m not a minimalist, but I am so much more happy when I have to […]

    Reply

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