The Many Varied "Firsts" of Minimalism

"We need a variety of input and influence and voices. You cannot get all the answers to life and business from one person or from one source." – Jim Rohn

I have always loved hearing how minimalism works itself out in many different ways through many different lives. I love hearing how the idea of living with less is being embraced by others who, in turn, find more opportunity to live the life they always wanted because of it. And I always enjoy hearing the background stories of others who have intentionally made the same decision.

Because of that, I used the Becoming Minimalist Facebook page to conduct a fun, short, nonscientific survey concerning people's different experiences throughout the beginning of their journey to minimalism. Hearing their wide variety of answers reminds me why I continue to love minimalism and will continue to inspire others to realize the simple truth that there is more joy in pursuing less than can be found in pursuing more.

I hope you enjoy some of the highlights too:

1. How were you first introduced to the lifestyle of intentionally living with less (minimalism)?

"I read about the  100 Thing Challenge by 

"Decluttering overstuffed storage spaces got me interested in spreading that neatness to the rest of my house." - Erin M.
"Your talk to Mothers of Preschoolers @ Essex Alliance Church." – Shana T.
"Zen Habits." – Susan S.
"I think over time by trying to raise 4 kids on one income and just got so tired of seeing how much we wasted and how much 'stuff' we looked at as disposable. Through circumstance my hubby and I found ourselves moving our family into an 1100sq ft house and 'stuff' just had to go! And then I got tired of going into debt just satisfy wants and not needs." – LeAnne E.
"I was on Apartment Therapy which led me to the Zen Habits blog." – Tina L.
"Some years ago, I had to evacuate my house because of flooding, I had too much 'stuff' to worry about, I began to self examine." – Robert C.
I heard first about the minimalist lifestyle from this video: Jay's Tiny House Tour and this: Rowdy Kittens story." – Timea K.
"Through the blog Freebies 4 Moms." – Lanetra M.
"Actually, I was doing a search for organizing websites and stumbled upon yours! That was about a year ago. I really liked and still like that your family is similar to mine as far as children of similar ages. It made minimalism seem doable for a family." – Melissa W.
"For me it started with Flylady, she's all about decluttering and I was looking to take her methods a step further (I haven't been terribly successful yet) and found minimalism." – Jennifer G.
"My parents, they are excellent role models!" – Anne G.
"A guest speaker at my high school who advocated for the homeless and willingly chose to live minimally. I forgot about the idea for 10 years…but I've been reminded and I'm getting back to that mindset." – Katie D.
Read more responses.

2. What was the first book that you found specifically helpful in your decluttering/minimizing journey?

"Peter Walsh's  It's All Too Much! I love how he takes all the common excuses for why we hang onto our stuff and how to overpower those excuses."  - Anna H.
"This is years ago, but Elaine St James'  Simplify Your Life started me on my journey." – Tina L.
"Interesting enough  Walden by Henry David Thoreau inspired me to declutter." – Chad O.
"Your Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez." - Ellen G.
The one that really got me physically going is  Clear your Clutter with Feng Shui by Karen Kingston. To put me in the mind set was  Voluntary Simplicity by Duane Elgin." – Jasmine N.
Read more responses.

3. When you first began minimizing/decluttering your home, where did you start?

"Bedroom closet." – Susan V.


"Living room." – Tiffany W.
"The closets." – Rebecca P.
"I started by getting rid of all knick knacks." – Crystal M.
"Clothing." – Carmichael J
"The kitchen." – Jillian C.
"Dishes." – Stacy A.
"Paper monster." – Ellen G.
"I had a garage full of stuff from past roommates." – Rowan T.
"Toys." – Tama A.
"My book collection, and then my closet." – Bernice W.
"Definately the wardrobe." – Donna B.
Read more responses.

4. When you began minimizing your possessions, what was the first emotion you remember experiencing?

"Relief!" – Suze D.
"Peace." – Andrea K.
"Freedom." – Jessica S.
"Anxiety at first. After I decided that it was ok to let things go then it was very freeing!" – Simple Life Celebrations.
"The feeling is great!" – Beth Y.
"Confusion…where do I start then total relief and love for my new space…" – Cam L.
"Lightness." – Tracie O.
"Peace , relief, and freedom :)" – Maria D.
"Liberation." – Emily P.
"Contentment." – Rosanna D.
"Calm." – Stacey L.


Read more responses.

5. After beginning the decluttering/minimizing journey yourself, who is the first person you remember inspiring to do the same? And how did it happen?

"My mom. She had gotten completely bogged down by emotional attachments to things from the past–gifts, things that had belonged to my grandmother, crazy amounts of paper clutter. My sister and I offered to help, and she accepted the offer! The whole story would require an essay." – April B.
"My best friend, she was drowning in trivia." – Don J.

And if you haven't already, I invite you to join the Becoming Minimalist Facebook Fan Page for more conversation, motivation, and inspiration.