I’m often asked how I got started on my journey with minimalism, and, unlike others, such as Joshua Becker, I don’t have a defining moment, a time that made me realize I needed or wanted to make changes towards creating a simplified life.
For me, it was collective snippets and changes that accumulated over time.
One thing I do know, however, is that at the time, it was very much against the grain. It wasn’t cool to talk about, and finding tips, resources and others who I could connect with on the topic was not easy.
That is not the case today. There are now many sites, blogs and resources sharing tips, pointers and thoughts on minimalism. Instead of being difficult to find any help, it is overwhelming to narrow it down and sift the quality stuff from the competing noise.
Since overwhelm and excess noise are the very things the minimalist life seeks to remove, I’ve sifted for you, and below I’ve listed 11 of the best resources for minimalism that keep me inspired and have consistently provided quality tips and useful information.
The Art of Simple: The original relatable and realistic simple living blog. I started following Tsh’s blog back in 2006, when she was blogging about her family and referred to herself as Toblerone. Her blog was one of my early favorites. When she started Simple Mom (what has since been renamed The Art of Simple) I knew it would be a success, because there was nothing else like it, and she hit on the topic at a time when many people were starting to question excess in many areas of their lives. I don’t know if Tsh expected it to skyrocket like it did, but I was never surprised: her writing is simply authentic, relatable and inspiring.
Becoming Minimalist: The breadth of topics covered on Becoming Minimalist shows that minimalism is not just about decluttering, but covers all areas of life.
Project 333: This site is a fantastic resource for anyone who is struggling to simplify their wardrobe and remove the excess from it. The premise is a “minimalist fashion challenge that invites you to dress with 33 items or less for 3 months.” The sneaky beauty of it is that once you simplify one area of your life, like your wardrobe, you begin to look for other areas you can simplify.
Be More With Less: Courtney Carver not only runs Project 333, but also this one as well. It is wonderful, inspiring and definitely a must-read.
Miss Minimalist: Many many many inspiring real life stories from others who are striving to simplify their lives and live more intentionally.
No Sidebar: Regularly updated with articles from a variety of contributors. They also offer a 30-day email course.
The Minimalists: Tons of information. These guys have also released a documentary, appropriately called Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things.
Slow Your Home: The premise of this site hits close to what we have strived to have in our home; that it looks differently for everyone, but also that it’s a lifestyle that we can also share with our children.
The Minimalist Mom: I’ve noted before that the time I struggled the most with getting rid of stuff and knowing what to keep was when my children were little. This site would have been so helpful for me then. Many of the tips are specifically geared towards families with small children, but there is a wealth (heh) of useful information regarding finances as well.
Rowdy Kittens: Tammy offers so much useful information to read over. Topics include tiny homes, happiness, online and offline life, photography and more.
Simplify & Pursue: Not only does Robin offer great content to help you on your journey towards simplicity, she also offers consultations on simplifying just about every area of your life, both online and in-home (if you live near Lexington, KY.)
-updated Jan 23, 2017
What resources have inspired you as you seek simplicity? Where do you regularly find yourself looking for useful tips and inspiration regarding minimalism?
