What do you think?
Rate this book
Minimalist: A Minimalism Guide for Decluttering Your Life and Living a Wonderfully Simple Lifestyle
In 2010 I had a nice boyfriend, a nice corporate job and a nice apartment in Dallas, Texas. Then a friend was diagnosed with a brain tumor and given two years to live. This changed my whole outlook on life. I realized that it could be now or never to live life on my terms.
In the span of a few months, I left my lover, quit my job and gave away almost all of my possessions in order to attend graduate school for two years in Europe. At the age of 37, I was going to study something completely new, not for career enhancement but simply out of curiosity.
In those two years, I lived in four countries, with nothing but the contents of two suitcases. After graduating, I thought I would be happy to "re-clutter" a space I could call my own, but instead I found myself almost physically repelled by things which do not serve an essential purpose. And I remain nomadic. Enlightenment, as I know it now, can refer to both weightlessness and wisdom.
Beyond the dispensation of material objects, I have simplified my life by serving what I consider to be an essential purpose, myself. Unable to find a traditional job upon my return to the U.S., I began volunteering at a dementia daycare center in San Francisco. Contributing compassion is more important to me than any single thing, and so to accommodate my volunteer schedule I became a freelance writer. It has been twenty years since I received my undergraduate degree in journalism, but only now do I have stories worth sharing.
My minimalist transformation is one of them. I can't wait to tell you about it – and show you how you can do it, too!
In the span of a few months, I left my lover, quit my job and gave away almost all of my possessions in order to attend graduate school for two years in Europe. At the age of 37, I was going to study something completely new, not for career enhancement but simply out of curiosity.
In those two years, I lived in four countries, with nothing but the contents of two suitcases. After graduating, I thought I would be happy to "re-clutter" a space I could call my own, but instead I found myself almost physically repelled by things which do not serve an essential purpose. And I remain nomadic. Enlightenment, as I know it now, can refer to both weightlessness and wisdom.
Beyond the dispensation of material objects, I have simplified my life by serving what I consider to be an essential purpose, myself. Unable to find a traditional job upon my return to the U.S., I began volunteering at a dementia daycare center in San Francisco. Contributing compassion is more important to me than any single thing, and so to accommodate my volunteer schedule I became a freelance writer. It has been twenty years since I received my undergraduate degree in journalism, but only now do I have stories worth sharing.
My minimalist transformation is one of them. I can't wait to tell you about it – and show you how you can do it, too!
36 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 7, 2014
23 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 4, 2021
Simple and useful....
I was always interested in minimalist living though I was susceptible to impulsive buying of things for luxury. This book helped me organise my thoughts and motivated me to make more concerted efforts towards a simple and stress free living. Thank you Kelly Ann Callahan 🙏
I was always interested in minimalist living though I was susceptible to impulsive buying of things for luxury. This book helped me organise my thoughts and motivated me to make more concerted efforts towards a simple and stress free living. Thank you Kelly Ann Callahan 🙏
May 29, 2017
Good read
I am looking forward to simplify my life. I am walking my own path but I appreciate looking at other viewpoints.
I am looking forward to simplify my life. I am walking my own path but I appreciate looking at other viewpoints.
April 15, 2015
Quick read and inspiring
Easy style, not thorough (minimalist in itself), and still thought-provoking. It made me do some thinking on my own personal situation, and think about making some changes. I don't think I could go as minimal as the author, but I need to head in that direction.
Easy style, not thorough (minimalist in itself), and still thought-provoking. It made me do some thinking on my own personal situation, and think about making some changes. I don't think I could go as minimal as the author, but I need to head in that direction.
April 19, 2016
Very inspirational.
Excellent to get this from a woman's perspective and from a woman in her late 30's. It's easy to change when you're young but it definitely takes more guts to change a life when you're not a kid anymore.
I really like the book because it was so motivational and It helped me see that it's never too late to live the life you see for yourself.
Excellent to get this from a woman's perspective and from a woman in her late 30's. It's easy to change when you're young but it definitely takes more guts to change a life when you're not a kid anymore.
I really like the book because it was so motivational and It helped me see that it's never too late to live the life you see for yourself.
May 22, 2022
I enjoyed the book, though it was quite short. Minimal, if you must.
The author's experiences were from the viewpoint of someone childless and ready to end a relationship, and not everyone is in those same shoes, but the basic lessons apply nevertheless.
The author's experiences were from the viewpoint of someone childless and ready to end a relationship, and not everyone is in those same shoes, but the basic lessons apply nevertheless.
March 13, 2015
What An Amazing Book!!!
I don't know if I could possibly follow her path being 50yr old father and a husband, but if I were a 30yr single person I would definitely try out this concept.. it's a shame that hindsight is often 20/20.
I don't know if I could possibly follow her path being 50yr old father and a husband, but if I were a 30yr single person I would definitely try out this concept.. it's a shame that hindsight is often 20/20.
April 18, 2014
Loved t
such a great read! quick and to the point. I really enjoyed her tips and plan on implementing them. I wish it was longer.
such a great read! quick and to the point. I really enjoyed her tips and plan on implementing them. I wish it was longer.
June 2, 2014
Good Read
Good Read
Wish it were longer and had more of her life's adventures. She reminds me of myself, similarities were mind blowing.
Good Read
Wish it were longer and had more of her life's adventures. She reminds me of myself, similarities were mind blowing.
August 3, 2014
Extremely brief, lacking nothing new.
July 17, 2015
I liked her story and perspective. I found her relatable as I am also simplifying my own existence. I wouldn't think of it as a book so much as an article or essay, short in length.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews