This book is so special to me: I first started practicing minimalism in 1999, and this beautiful little volume contains all the knowledge, experience, and inspiration I’ve accumulated over twenty years. It’s my very best advice on living a simple and serene life, and I’m thrilled to finally have it out in the world.… {Read more}

Today, I’m going to tell you the story of a skirt–in particular, the gray tulle number in the photo above. It doesn’t look like it has any business being in a minimalist wardrobe, does it? I didn’t think so, either.

So why do I own it? Well, when I recently had new author photos taken, my photographer suggested we do some fun, ballet-style shots to convey the idea of living lightly and gracefully (as per my new book). I loved the idea, but had nothing of the sort in my wardrobe–so I dutifully found an appropriate skirt with two-day shipping, and received it just in time for the shoot.… {Read more}

This week we hear from Jonathan, who explains how minimalism helped him find his dream job. His story is a wonderful example of how minimalism applies to so many aspects of life—not just our stuff.

Jonathan writes:

Did you know that searching for your dream job leads to become a skillful minimalist?

I experienced this first-hand. I never knew what I wanted to do with my life. I tried many jobs, always feeling frustrated or even depressed. … {Read more}

As I mentioned in my last post, one of the loveliest things about this book is the design. I had the honor of working with the very talented Ryn Frank (check out her Instagram), whose illustrations and hand-lettered quotes appear throughout the text.

So I’m very excited that my publisher, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, has put together a gorgeous preorder offer for Lightly: a 5″ x 7″ print of one of the quotes from the book!… {Read more}

Today, it’s such a pleasure to feature Karen, who’s written a beautiful and inspiring piece about why she’s a minimalist. Please visit her blog to read more of her thoughts.

Karen writes:

Hi! My name is Karen, and I’ve been on this minimalist journey for more than a decade. Minimalism has become part of who I am, and occasionally I’m asked about why I’ve chosen this lifestyle. Over time I’ve come up with several answers to that question; maybe one or more of them will resonate with you.… {Read more}

I’m just over the moon to share some big news with you today: I have a new book coming out next month! It’s called Lightly: How to Live a Simple, Serene, and Stress-free Life, and will be published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt on February 26.

If you ever feel like life is weighing you down—like the stuff in your home, the to-dos in your schedule, the worries in your heart are too much—this book is for you.

Over the last few years, our hyper-connected, image-obsessed culture has added new pressure to our lives. Social media has put us all in the spotlight, with the expectation to buy more, do more, know more, and show more than ever.… {Read more}

We’re keeping the season as simple as possible here—a “light Christmas,” if you will. We’ve decorated our little cottage with a fresh tree and wreath, lots of twinkle lights, and some ornaments handmade by my daughter (my baby just turned 7, can you believe it?).

We’ve hung up our stockings, which Santa typically fills with some decadent consumables we normally wouldn’t buy for ourselves (like artisan coffee, soap, chocolates—here’s what I got last year). And the little one will receive one special gift from each member of the family; a robotics kit, a chemistry set, glitter markers, jewelry beads, and a kitten are on her wish list this year.… {Read more}

This week we have an inspirational story from Mobile Minimalists, who tell us how easy it is to move when everything fits in a dinghy! Visit their website to read more about their adventures.

Mobile Minimalists write:

From a two-bedroom, two-bath, grand piano-equipped condo on the shores of Windansea Beach in La Jolla, CA, to a grass hut with only six UPS boxes of “stuff,” that was our purge to minimalism.… {Read more}

Today we hear from Ali living in Dubai, who tells us how he’s pursuing a minimalist lifestyle in a very non-minimalist city.

Ali writes:

My name is Ali.

Living in one of the most advanced cities in the world can be daunting for anyone especially in keeping up with communication and information; you get so much clutter of “buy this”, “eat this”, “use this”, “drive this” – the list goes on.… {Read more}

I love this story from Henry, who tells us how he discovered the wonderful lightness of less. Be sure to visit his delightful blog, where he writes about the simple things that make life beautiful.

Henry writes:

I’ve always had a natural compulsion to keep my living space orderly. Papers should be stacked neatly, magazines kept perpendicular to the edge of the table, framed photographs at a jaunty but considered angle.… {Read more}