What is extreme minimalism?

How is extreme minimalism different from other types of minimalism? I decided to do this as a separate post from my last post about anti-mainstream minimalist concepts because there are so many different aspects of extreme minimalism. This topic needs an article of its own! 

What I find interesting is that when I looked into extreme minimalism, I think there are a lot of misconceptions about it. But I'll get into that in a little bit. Here is the run-down of topics:

1. What does extreme minimalism mean?
2. Examples of extreme minimalism
3. Misconceptions about extreme minimalism
4. The benefits of extreme minimalism
5. Is extreme minimalism selfish?

What does extreme minimalism mean?

Just as a refresher, "minimalism," as defined by this blog's original owner, means letting go of things that are less important--whether it be things, activities, or people--to focus on what's more important.

In contrast, extreme minimalism is about paring your life down to the necessities. Some people may refer to it as essential minimalism, or essentialism, which is evaluating wants and needs, with a preference towards only acquiring what you need. If you want more details about essential minimalism, we have a post all about it here.

Examples of extreme minimalism

Besides essentialism, there are several examples of minimalist archetypes that can fall under extreme minimalism. For one, there are types of experiential minimalists called nomadic minimalists (the article goes into some detail about minimalist nomad life). 

I also recently did a post specifically about sailboat-dwelling minimalist nomads because I read a book about it that I liked so much. Other types of nomadic minimalists are people who live/travel in vehicles on land or people who live out of suitcases or backpacks, like people who hop from one Airbnb to another or who are professional house-sitters.

But extreme minimalists don't have to be nomads. They can live in a small space in one place, such as an apartment. Their home can be very minimal in aesthetic, possessions, and cost. This can include a lack of decorations and furniture. I'd say my bedroom makeover in my old apartment probably falls into the extreme minimalist category. 

While a "normal" minimalist could streamline their clothing with a capsule wardrobe, an extreme minimalist would go down to a single change of clothes, shoes, etc. (plus an extra for wash day). 

They could also own a single set of silverware, one plate, bowl, cup, etc. per person. 

Some people choose to have mats or pillows as their only seating, no TVs or other personal electronics and place their mattress on the floor. They only have one set of sheets. They're "zero waste." 

Some people base their minimalism on how many possessions they own overall. I read about this 100 things challenge where you downsize until you have only 100 things left. I also saw that one person has 15 possessions!!!

I have to admit, I kind of drowned in all the ways you can be an extreme minimalist. I'm going to truncate my descriptions so it doesn't take you an hour to read this post. Here are some more:

• Fasting/intermittent fasting/very low-calorie diet
• Abstinence
• Sobriety
• Religious/spiritual pilgrimage
• Extreme frugal minimalism

Basically, any way you can be a minimalist, you can take it to an extreme level. 

Misconceptions about extreme minimalism

I think people unfamiliar with how regular minimalism works might look at extreme minimalism and think that it's normal minimalism. That everyone who says they're a minimalist only owns 15 things and lives in a 200 square-foot apartment with a mattress on the floor and a single pair of socks. 

I think this assumption is what leads people to go overboard in their minimalist journey, thinking they have to meet other people's expectations. They eliminate what's important because they think they have to. Then they regret their decision, end up "hating minimalism," and become anti-minimalists because they think that will make them happy.

Whether you take conservative steps or extreme ones, your minimalist journey should be about what's right for you. Giving things up that enrich your life is not minimalist. It's sacrifice. 

Likewise, people who criticize others for being too extreme or not minimalist enough don't really understand minimalism either. If a minimalist wants to have 50 t-shirts or 100 paper books or save 3000 pictures, how does that hurt anyone?

I also don't see a problem with someone being not minimalist for special occasions. Maybe they're a frugal minimalist all year, but they splurge on an awesome annual vacation, treat their partner to a luxurious anniversary date, or spoil their grandchild on their birthday.

The benefits of extreme minimalism

While this type of minimalism is not for everyone, there are some potential benefits. Even more so than standard minimalist practices, extreme minimalism could lead to more free time, debt elimination, stress reduction, early retirement, the ability to pursue your passions instead of chasing a paycheck, better physical health, and a smaller impact on the environment. 

It's just a question of creating a balance until you maximize benefits and minimize side effects. Depending on one's tolerance for extremism, in theory, the more extreme one goes, the more benefits one receives.  

Is extreme minimalism selfish?

As I was reading about this topic, I actually came across a few articles that addressed this question. In their minds, anything extreme has the potential to be selfish. 

If you minimize your possessions while only considering yourself, then this could lead to complications. For example, one person said she had dinner guests over and drank her wine from a coffee mug because she only owns 2 wine glasses. But, she reasoned, this was still better than not having enough glasses to serve them wine at all.

I guess that's one way to think about it. Another way is that it's pretty shallow and privileged to be worried about whether you're drinking your wine from a mug or a wine glass. I wonder how much of her concern was about her worry of how others saw her?

My predecessor on this blog told me that it isn't uncommon for RVers to not have enough chairs, cups, or even food to accommodate guests, due to their limited storage space and tiny little kitchen areas. She said this is acknowledged as part of RV life, and there's an easy solution for it. When one RVer invites another over for a gathering, you ask what you should bring. Whether it's side dishes, a chair, or even your own plate, this is something that's considered an acceptable ask of your guests. Nobody gets judgy about it or thinks it's rude. It's common for the RVing community to share what they have and help others when they can. Isn't that nice?

And actually, my parents raised me that a polite guest always asks what they can bring or do to help when they're invited to someone else's home. When did it become a rule that what someone brings has to be limited to a bottle of wine or a bag of chips? 

Someone else said that when he was a minimalist, he was a "taker" because he lived in a trailer and rode a bike everywhere. So he could be a guest, but not have a guest. And he couldn't give anyone a ride anywhere. He also mentioned that he was strapped for cash.

I don't understand why it's selfish if you can't afford a car or an extra bed sitting around in case, someday, you need to use them?? When did living within your means make you a "taker?" 

Or what if you just think that's wasteful? I think it's more of a problem that people are perceived as selfish for not owning excess things instead of evaluated for the quality of their personality and morals.

Also, if you only have to work part-time because you're an extreme frugal minimalist, maybe that means you can offer free dog walks to a neighbor or be available to drive your relative to their doctor's appointment. It means you don't have to miss important things in the lives of your loved ones because you're too busy working. That doesn't seem selfish to me.

But in the end, it isn't always bad to be a little selfish. Everyone is entitled to live in an authentic way, and sometimes that means that your wants and needs take priority over what other people want or expect you to do. It's unhealthy to give all your time and energy to everyone else. Even the most altruistic amongst us recognize the importance of keeping themselves healthy so they can help more people. 

Right now, there are a lot of problems in this world that are the result of perceiving things a certain way that is not the most useful. If we want to improve our situation, it has to start in our heads and being open to thinking differently. Extreme minimalism might not be for everyone, but the concepts are certainly food for thought. 

Skinimalism and 4 other anti-mainstream minimalist concepts

Tired of living like everyone else? Here are five anti-mainstream minimalist concepts to inspire interesting changes in your life. 

Of course, minimalism itself is typically considered anti-mainstream or counter-culture. But as it becomes more common, there are a lot of subtypes that are popping up. If going all-in on a minimalist lifestyle isn't for you, maybe these are some ways to give specific areas of interest a try.

1. Skinimalism
2. Childfree
3. Digital minimalism
4. Stoicism
5. Mindful minimalism

1. Skinimalism

Skinimalism is just a term for minimalist skincare and/or makeup. You might be a skinimalist and didn't even know that was the term for it.

If you're someone who currently or previously looked at any skincare or cosmetics prices, I'm sure you noticed that the costs have gone up astronomically over time. I mean, paying several hundred dollars for ONE tiny little container of skin cream? $50 for a tube of mascara? 20-step skincare routines???? 

An article from 2017 I found on Groupon cited a study about how much the average person spends on their appearance. Even back then, the average amount was around $3000 for men with women spending closer to $4000 (non-binaries were not mentioned). That amount included skin treatments, hair care, hair removal, and makeup. More than 1/4 of that amount was spent on the face. Over a lifetime (60 years), that ends up being an estimated $175,000 - $225,000 per year--but there's a flaw in that estimate. It's assuming that the amount doesn't go up, which is ridiculous. I mean, even a cheap haircut these days costs close to $20. I doubt it will be the same amount 40 years from now.

But there's more to the skinimalist movement than just cost. As people become more aware of the consequences of what they put into (and on) their bodies, they tend to take a "less is more" approach. They want the products themselves to be minimalist in terms of their ingredients. 

In my own search for natural products, I've been very disappointed about how little is available that doesn't have something harmful in it, but still is allowed to be sold on the market. Some of the independent third-party organizations that evaluate ingredients like the Environmental Working Group are criticized for being too harsh, but I disagree. If a chemical is even suspected of being harmful to my body or the environment, I want to know about it. I'm not taking chances.

The last reason people go for a more minimalist skincare routine is probably related to all the societal pressure about looks. There is so much value placed on looking perfect on the outside, and there's a lot of elitism involved. Celebrities rake in money by repping products, and then people think that maybe they'll look like celebrities if they spend their money. The problem is, claims made by cosmetic companies are not always backed up by actual testing and science. Depending on where or by whom a product was made, it may not have been tested at all!

If you want to avoid all that drama and rebel against the social "norms" about how we should look, becoming a skinimalist is a good way to do it.

2. Childfree

Whether you love children or they're not for you, I think there's no argument about whether kids add complication to the lives of their parents. Just from my high school babysitting experience, I know how labor-intensive it is to take care of a child. And that was just a small glimpse of the full picture of child-raising.

Other reasons people choose not to have children are financial. I think that's pretty obvious, so I won't go into much detail about that.

Some people also believe that having biological children puts extra strain on the environment and our food supplies. There's some debate on the accuracy of that. It seems like the problem is more about how we manage the food that we grow and what types of food are produced. If the systems were more efficient, then there would be enough food to support the population.

Regardless of the reasons, a lot of people are still shocked when someone says they will not be procreating. Even these days, many people assume that everyone has the desire to be a parent, and that's just not true. 

It's not practical for everyone, either. Many people's financial, career or health situations would be strained by having children, and that isn't good for anyone. Not to mention that there are some people who should never become parents, as evidenced by the neglect and abuse that occurs. 

3. Digital minimalism

The internet can be a stressful place. I've talked before briefly about how I shut down all my social media accounts. I did it because I was tired of all the nonsense, spam, and guerrilla marketing tactics. I also find most of the harmless aspects of social media, like memes and reposts, a huge waste of time.

But a digital minimalist can express themselves in other ways besides eschewing social media. For example, they may have extremely organized and empty email accounts. Their cloud storage has only the basic necessities. They don't keep every single picture they've ever taken on their phones--even the ones they took by accident, or are too blurry to make out.

Digital minimalists can also have minimal apps and software on their devices. Maybe they even have minimal devices, like just a phone, or just a laptop, or maybe a flip phone and a desktop!

It's also about how much time is spent in the digital world. Some digital minimalists prefer paper books over ebooks or painting with real paint over making digital art.

Some people are digital minimalists by necessity. They might have limited access to devices, poor or no internet availability, limited internet bandwidth, or a small amount of data, or an illness or disability that inhibits their ability to spend large amounts of time interacting with devices. So they spend very little time in the digital world and have other ways to occupy themselves.

Lastly, there are those that just don't like spending time in front of a screen. They'd rather be outdoors, talking to friends, or cooking. 

4. Stoicism

Stoicism is not a new concept. It dates back to ancient Greece, and it's all about controlling emotions and thinking rationally. 

Some people might view it as being cold and emotionless, but I see it more as rising above feelings that might cloud judgment and cause mistakes.

How is this minimalist? It's about focusing on making clear-headed decisions and sweeping out any feelings-related cobwebs. If having a healthy relationship with thoughts and emotions is important, then this is a minimalist way to approach life.

The tenets of stoicism include managing expectations, including being realistic about what change you can actually implement in your life. I think a lot of detriment occurs when people put large amounts of pressure on themselves to be different from who they are in incompatible ways. Then they lose sight of their true selves and realize the change didn't make them happy. Impulsivity and grabbing at every shiny object would not be part of stoicism. Taking the time to examine whether something is really what you want and how it will (or won't) add value to your life would be a stoic choice.

Another interesting part of stoicism is striving to live in harmony with nature. At first, I thought this tenet was out of place with the others. But then I read that stoics wanted to gain a better understanding of the universe and everything in it. They felt this was a step toward improving cognitive skills and also a way to better understand the nature of humans. By understanding the world around you, you can then live more harmoniously with it.

Overall, I think it's a very interesting concept, and something that could be useful in a number of different situations.

5. Mindful minimalism

I found some slight variations on the definition of this term, so I'll give you a combo explanation. Mindful minimalism is about letting go of excess so you can focus on the present moment. This allows you to find more peace and purpose in your daily life and remove stress.

I think this concept would be extremely helpful to a certain group of people. I'm thinking of someone who finds themselves counting down minutes, hours, days, etc. until a certain event. Whether it's waiting until it's time to clock out from work, praying for the weekend to arrive, or just barely hanging in there until you can take your next vacation, you're letting large chunks of your life pass you by, dismissing them as unimportant.

Most likely, when that long-anticipated moment occurs, it leaves you feeling unsatisfied. Then it becomes even harder to go back to the rest of your life, and it feels like time drags on forever until the next respite.

It may be difficult for someone in this situation to picture a life where they actually relish their day-to-day activities instead of wishing they were over with. I doubt it would be easy or happen overnight, but I think by adding a zen-like aspect to your minimalism, it is possible.

And if you think about it, nearly all types of minimalism are mindful in some form. Adding that layer of thoughtfulness to your actions is how you start making more informed decisions about what's best for you.

Eco-minimalist grocery shopping on a budget

How do you buy groceries in an eco-minimalist and budget-friendly way? I'm about to tell you. But first, let me get this out of the way. This is not about "zero waste" shopping.

In case you didn't know, zero waste was a term developed for industrial purposes in the 1970s specifically an electronics company. It's since been adopted by other businesses and consumers, but in reality, no consumer can be zero waste. By virtue, a consumer will create waste due to their consumption because each item they buy comes from an organization that produces waste. Also, zero waste is a term I've seen influencers and brands use incorrectly for what they were actually doing. For example, someone did a zero waste "grocery haul" but then bought several of food products that I know for a fact are not compostable or recyclable. That isn't zero waste!

I also want to add that if you're in a food desert or food-insecure, please check out this link for the U.S., this link for Canada, this website for the UK. For any different countries, try searching for food banks in ____ (enter country or city).

Anyway, here's the index for this article.

1. Resources
2. Origins
3. Time of year
4. Beyond the packaging

1. Resources

Here in the U.S., Litterless has a zero-waste grocery guide by state. Check on the "nationwide" link for companies that ship to the U.S. if there's nothing local on the list. If possible, find out which of these companies use carbon-neutral/carbon-negative shipping, or buy your own carbon offsets.

However, I have a few problems with the Litterless resource. For example, not every state is listed. I noticed right away that Idaho doesn't have a link. Then as I mentioned, there's the whole zero-waste thing. If a company doesn't want to be associated with that term or feel (maybe incorrectly) that they don't meet the requirements, then they won't be on the list. But that doesn't mean that at least some of their business practices are not low-waste or eco-minimalist. I think you can work with just about any store out there to limit your waste when shopping.

For example, I like to shop at a place called Winco. They have low prices and a great bulk food section, but you're supposedly not allowed to bring your own containers. For nut butter and some liquids, they have plastic containers that are probably new plastic and the tops are not recyclable. For everything else in bulk, they offer plastic bags that they say are recyclable, but it's sometimes difficult to find a place to do that. They are also made from new plastic. I've snuck in my reusable produce bags for things like pasta and rice in bulk, and the cashiers never say anything to me. They already don't subtract the weight of the containers, so I don't see that I'm really losing any money by doing this. A quick comparison tells me that the bulk prices are often cheaper than the prices of pre-packaged options. Bulk foods are not waste-free, but the volume of food to the ratio of packaging is different than buying individual packages.

One thing I don't like about Winco is that they don't compost their food waste or seem to have any arrangements to give stock to food banks or shelters. I feel like this is something that every business in the foodservice industry should be doing in this day and age. 

Another issue I have is how around Thanksgiving, Winco gives a "free" turkey to anyone who purchases at least $100 worth of groceries. We don't eat turkey, we asked if they could donate it to a food bank instead. Nope. Well, could we get a free large bag of rice or potatoes instead? Nope--even though these things are probably cheaper than a turkey. Not very inclusive. It's nice for some people, but not everyone celebrates Thanksgiving or even eats turkey.  It also makes me wonder how many of those frozen turkeys get thrown in the dumpster every year because people don't spend $100 per visit and/or don't buy them.

Some estimates are that food waste composes as much as 50% of the waste that goes into the landfill. There's a misconception that it will just compost in a landfill, which it doesn't. It breaks down in a way that releases methane gas into the atmosphere, which is the last thing we need more of. 

Businesses that sell food certainly create a large portion of this food waste, but what households produce adds up in a collective way. There are simple and free things you can do at home to reduce your food waste:

• Know what you have on hand before you shop and when it will expire
• Plan out your meals and create a list so that you only buy what you need
• Learn the best way to store items to keep them from going bad
• Freeze foods before they rot if you know you won't have time to eat them first
• Find out how to arrange your refrigerator to keep food fresh
• Buy only exactly what you need 95% of the time. For example, did you know that cooking with oil is generally not necessary? It's also expensive and usually, the containers are very wasteful, I use vegetable broth, a little water with spices, or nothing to cook my food, and it comes out just as well. Growing crops that result in cooking oils can lead to soil erosion, endangering native plants with pesticides, adding more toxic residues to your diet, high water usage, and native forest/plant/rainforest deforestation.  Also, farmers from both this country and developing countries are often mistreated and under-compensated in general, but oil production is big business. So mistreatment is more likely to happen in farmers aligned with agro-corps like cooking oil usually is.
• For more tips, I found this blog post that includes tips about a 5-minute meal plan, composting, food prep, and more. She even has links to tips about composting when you live in an apartment.

Speaking of composting, that's something I recently started doing. I didn't do it in my apartment, because I didn't know how to work with my lack of outdoor space. But since I moved into my partner's house, we got a scrap container for the kitchen (thrifted) and one of those tumbler composters (free from Craigslist!). Since we eat plant-based, all our food scraps go in there and I'm proud to say that we no longer put any food into the landfill. We also buy some products that have home-compostable packaging and put that into our composter as well. We're still learning, but so far it's been really easy to maintain composting as a part of our routine.

While we're on the topic of home waste, think about the non-food waste left by any products you buy, and make sure you're clear about how to dispose of them. Don't be a wishcycler!

Other options for eco-minimalist groceries are: 

• imperfect food boxes, where they deliver you perfectly good food that doesn't look pretty enough to go to the store
• shopping for clearance items if you know you'll eat something soon or can freeze it--this stuff often gets thrown away
• restaurant supply stores open to the public, which sometimes have bulk foods at lower prices
• farm co-ops and farmer's markets
• mom & pop stores that want to please their customers by catering to people who care about the environment

If you have any other resources, please comment down below so other people can use them as well!

Origins

Find out where your food is coming from. If you live in the far northern hemisphere and you're buying something that originated in the far southern hemisphere, that food is probably going to be more expensive, not as fresh, and have created a lot of pollution to get to you. Even if it's a banana with no packaging, that doesn't mean it's the most eco-minimalist choice. If your store doesn't have clear labeling about the origins of the food they sell, then ask. While you're at it, try to advocate for a systemic mandate for your area.

I'm sure many people are balking at the thought of giving up a beloved food because it came from the opposite side of the world. But I can tell you from personal experience that people are creatures of habit. I have switched out items that I really liked for ones that I liked less, whether for health reasons or due to food shortages. I just kept eating it and with time, found that I had a new habit of liking that food! Give yourself credit for having the discipline to change your food habits, and reserve less sustainable foods for rare occasions. You got this!

Time of year

People talk about eating in-season, but I doubt many actually follow through on this. A quick internet search should tell you what's actually ripe and fresh for your area and time of year.

I've seen and heard about some weird things even at farmer's markets, like farms selling things way outside of the normal growing season. In states warmer than mine, I guess there aren't really "seasons" and some things are grown year-round, even though they probably don't taste as good. For example, I read that ruby red grapefruit is supposed to be in season from October to May. It's November right now, and the ones at my local store are pale and have weird spots on them--not ruby-colored at all! But to be fair, I doubt grapefruits grow well where I live anyway. What was my point? Don't rely on your stores or farmer's markets to provide in-season foods. They're going to sell what makes them money. Do your research.

Beyond the packaging

Most packaged foods have websites these days. I don't just care about the packaging, I care about the business practices of the company. If the website doesn't have a page outlining their sustainability practices, I email them and ask them why and request they send me that info. I believe every business with a website should discuss its sustainability efforts. This shouldn't even be optional any longer, because at this point it's critical that everyone and every company is thinking about how their actions impact the planet's future.

It's important that a company is transparent about the entire supply chain involved in every product, not just the packaging it ends up in. They should also be using eco-conscious vendors as well as incorporating sustainable practices in places like their offices and break rooms.

But of course, they could be lying about how sustainable things really are. At least a few of the larger companies have been caught out on that. They put out statements that say "our goal is to do X by 2020" but don't explain how. Then 2020 ends and they never update their website to report that they've actually done X.

This is why I try to avoid packaging as much as possible. It's just easier than trying to research a million different items to try to find the best option. That way, I can focus on just a few brands that I know are doing a good job.

I also try to make things myself as much as possible. This is easier than it sounds because I do things that only take a few minutes but go a long way toward making my meals filling and healthy. I use a pressure cooker, so making rice takes less than 60 seconds of my time. Beans take about 2 minutes (because of soaking), or maybe 10 minutes if I want to puree them (e.g. hummus or not-refried beans). The pressure cooker does the bulk of the work for me and they come out perfectly cooked every time. I use this same tool to make potatoes in bulk, cook ears of corn, artichokes, or spaghetti squash. I think this is a great option for people who either don't want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen or are intimidated by cooking from scratch.

In conclusion, you don't have to go to fancy stores like Whole Foods to be an eco-minimalist grocery shopper. You can do it on a budget and without spending all your time working on food-related issues.

When minimalists and non-minimalists live together

As you may know, I recently moved in with my partner. This was my first time living with a romantic partner. To complicate the issue, they don't consider themselves minimalist at all. So how do we reconcile this? I'll give you all my tips for a harmonious home that includes minimalists and non-minimalists.

1. Planning
2. Finances
3. Resources
4. Back to basics

1. Planning

Whether you already live with non-minimalists (NMs from here on out) or are expecting you will in the future, it's important to think ahead about what issues you may encounter. I think it's actually easier to transition to minimalism while you're already in a home with NMs, because you know what to expect. I have to admit that even though I spent lots of time with my partner and saw what their home was like before moving in, it was still jarring and somewhat cringe-y to watch their NM habits in action as part of their household.

By planning, I mean to think about yourself in various situations with the NM, such as food shopping, or if someone wants to bring a piece of furniture into the house. How will these items be handled? Can you come to an agreement about what you will do as a household, or will these things be handled separately to avoid disagreements?

Keep in mind I also moved into my partner's home, which not only was already completely furnished to their tastes but is also a place that they own, not rent. My partner has been very welcoming, but a lot of my furniture ended up in the second bedroom and/or garage while we figured out what to do. If you end up moving into a home already occupied by an NM like I did, I recommend discussing what will go where ahead of time. There should really be some compromise if things are important to you and require the NM to make space for them. It shouldn't be like you're a guest in someone else's home with your things in storage. 

Ultimately, we will probably sell off or give away a lot of my furniture, except for what fits in the other bedroom. That will be my own little space for my crafts and working. Maybe later we will choose different furniture together, but it isn't really important right now. 

2. Finances

Wait a minute, you say. How is it fair for me to get rid of everything I own and the NM keeps their stuff? Well obviously, I'm not getting rid of any of my crafting supplies or paintings. Anything that's important to me stays. But if you've read my budget bedroom or living room makeovers, you know that most of my furniture is either stuff that is from my childhood, second-hand, or free. I'm not really attached to any of it, and I even question why I chose some of the items from my childhood home in the first place. But hey, I was 12, so I guess my preferences changed.

My partner's furniture and decorations are not necessarily to my taste, but they were bought new just a few years ago when they bought their house, and at least it all matches and fits the space. So it makes more sense to hold on to it than to keep mine from a financial perspective as well.

The longer you are minimalist, the more likely you are to look at objects from a common-sense point of view and not from a place of emotions. If you're not there yet, you can always get a storage unit for things you don't have space for. But I'm betting that in time, you'll decide that your money can be best served elsewhere.

In regards to household in general, whether you choose to combine your money or keep it separate is a personal decision. However, it's a good time to advocate for more minimalist spending habits when you're having this discussion. Because you're living together, your financial future is at least a little bit tied to other people in your household. If they make risky decisions with money, then it may affect you, and vice-versa. Minimalist financial practices are good for everyone's bank accounts. Even if your housemates don't agree with every idea you have, it's in everyone's best interests to make choices that keep you all from becoming unhoused.

3. Resources

When talking to your current or future housemates about how you would like to integrate minimalism into your household, don't expect them to take your word for it. It helps to have inspirational stories from others. Here are a few, for your reference:

• My predecessor's story about how minimalism made her a better person
• Becoming Minimalist's article: Ten Ways Minimalism Will Improve Your Life
• Money Under 30's post about the financial benefits of minimalism

However, be prepared to compromise. This article from realtor.com has some thoughts about how to do that (although suggesting that the NM people in your life are "pack rats" seems like a bad start to the conversation). 

4. Back to basics

It's entirely possible that all the planning, conversations, and compromise still don't result in your preferred home life. So what do you do then? Move out? End relationships? Feel like you're the one giving up everything?

If you're at your wits' end, it's important to remember that you started caring about these NMs for a reason. They are more than their stuff, just as you've discovered you are more than yours. Recall all the things that you like about them, and hold onto those thoughts when you get frustrated.

Also, remember that you got into minimalism so you could focus on what matters most. That's the people, not the things. That's time and freedom to do what you want, not so you can start a crusade (and arguments) to try to convert everyone to your way of thinking. Maybe this is a chance to work more on yourself. Spend time alone with enjoyable projects and reduce some of your stress.

Of course, if this person is just a roommate you met through Craiglist and they insist upon relentlessly trashing your home and the planet, running up debt, and having loud parties when you're trying to sleep, feel free to move out and run in the other direction as quickly as possible. 😁

How eco-minimalism can save the holidays

Here in the U.S., I keep hearing and reading about supply chain issues and how people had better start their holiday shopping early. But if you celebrate the holidays in an eco-minimalist way, then buying new things is never an issue.

In this article, I'll give you some tips for making this season more eco-minimalist so that shortages don't affect your holidays. Here are the topics in this article:

Why are there supply chain shortages?

Be a conscientious objector to frivolous consumerist practices

Be open-minded about what's available

Break stereotypes

Manage expectations 

Gratitude 

 

Why are there supply chain shortages?

In case you haven't heard about this issue, I'm going to give you some bullet points so you have an idea of what I'm talking about. 

• truck driver shortages
• empty shipping containers on trucks with no place to go
• freight ships anchored outside of port waiting to offload
• average fuel prices are $1 more per gallon than last year
• inflation
• port restrictions/closures overseas

From what the experts say, this isn't just about the 'Rona. It's been going on for a while, and factors keep adding up to make things worse. Since it's a systemic problem, there aren't any easy fixes, and more issues are coming up that can complicate things further, like the upcoming expiration of the Longshoreman's contract in 2022.

So instead of getting frustrated and letting this disrupt your life, why not find ways around it? The following sections are tips that I use successfully to make my life less stressful while living in a consumerist society like the United States. If you're not in the U.S. but live within a similar culture, these tips can easily be applied where you are as well. And even though this is about holidays, you can also translate it to use the rest of the year.

And don't we all want to have fewer of our purchases sitting on a ship somewhere, with an unknown arrival date?

Be a conscientious objector to frivolous consumerist practices

I've talked about how wasteful I believe a lot of American holidays are in my Unpopular Minimalist Opinions article. One of my least favorite holiday "traditions" in the workplace is Secret Santa, or "White Elephant" party, which is used to make the idea less mainstream Christian. Regardless of what it's called, I still feel it's exclusionary, and the pressure to participate is ridiculous. If you're someone who doesn't participate in traditions that include gift exchanges, then it can be an uncomfortable and alienating experience.

Not to mention how wasteful it is to buy some cheap gift for an unknown person! To me, the whole point of giving a gift is to put thought into what they might want and give them something that they need, or at least will give them pleasure or improve their life. It's pretty much impossible to do that with these blind gift exchanges, so people end up getting gag gifts, which are usually cheaply-made and probably end up getting thrown away.

It's been (thankfully) a few years since I've worked somewhere that foisted one of these parties on its employees. However, if it were to happen to me this year, I would probably discuss with both my coworkers and my boss that participating in these parties goes against my beliefs. 

For me, minimalism, and especially eco-minimalism, are part of my belief system and something I plan on incorporating into my lifestyle permanently. Therefore, I feel that this should be honored in the same way as a religion by my employer. Just like I don't think that people who are Jehovah's Witness, Seventh-Day Adventist, Jewish, Pagan/Wicca, etc. should be forced to participate in a "Christmas" gift exchange if they don't want to, I feel I should also be exempt from participating due to my beliefs. 

As an alternative, I might suggest we instead do a non-denominational potluck (not a "holiday party"). Because who doesn't love food?? If the goal is to have employees socialize, I think eating is way more fun than getting a singing Justin Bieber toothbrush. Yep, that was actually someone's gift at the last White Elephant I participated in. The guy who received it was not happy. 

Be open-minded about what's available

Maybe you have traditions for the holidays where you buy certain foods, wear certain clothes, get a new decoration, etc. If those items aren't available, you may feel like that's going to negatively affect your holiday. But your good memories of past holidays aren't about the objects that were there. They were about the people you were with, the actions you took, and the feelings you felt.

So if things don't turn out exactly the way you anticipated, try to let go of those expectations. Try instead to focus on the important things: people, actions, feelings. The objects are just window dressing.

Break stereotypes

I know some adults (and their children) who would never go along with a second-hand Halloween costume, or wear the same costume as the year before if it still fits.  And buying the costume from a thrift store? Forget it, that's for poor people.

This elitist behavior is not just hurtful for socioeconomic reasons. It's hurtful to the planet. It encourages stores and manufacturers to continue to pump out cheaply-made, high-priced costumes that may not even last through a single Halloween. They're usually made of unsustainable fabrics and end up in the garbage. Some people try to donate them, but if they're damaged then the thrift store will probably throw them away as well.

Here's a challenge for you: try to find a way to enjoy Halloween without buying a bunch of individually-wrapped candies. Teach children that this is a tradition that doesn't need to continue due to its lack of eco-friendliness. 

This puppy's upcycling a cloth napkin for his Halloween costume.

As for gift-giving, let's start some new traditions where gifts don't have to be shiny and new. They can be re-gifted, homemade, upcycled, and more. A few years ago my predecessor wrote a gift guide for minimalists that you can use for more ideas. There are some timeless gifts there that are still valid options today.

Also, if the holidays seem to be too stressful and complicated for you, we have an article with some unique tips for having a quiet, simple holiday season.

Lastly, if you haven't checked it out yet, take a look at our post about why Black Friday isn't what it appears to be. My personal favorite thing to do on the day after Thanksgiving is going grocery shopping for the week. The store is always so quiet and I get in and out quicker than any other day of the year!

Manage expectations

If you want things to go smoothly, it's best to talk out your feelings and wishes with everyone that you may have plans with during a holiday. In advance. Don't spring it on them at the last minute, or make a dramatic announcement when you show up for an event. Give everyone a chance to adjust to anything different you want to do. For example, if you don't want to be part of holiday gift exchanges, now is a good time to speak up! 

However, it's also important to recognize that not everyone you encounter will want to go along with whatever changes you have in mind. I've told people that I don't want to exchange gifts on birthdays and holidays, but some of them still want to give me things. Then I asked if they could make charitable donations instead, but some people thought that was too impersonal. 

I'm respecting their wishes and will accept any gifts they give gracefully because it's something they feel like they have to do. It's not my job to convince everyone to be an eco-minimalist, and it's more important to have peace than to argue about my principles. Maybe next year they'll be more open to my way of thinking. However, I won't feel bad if they give me something that I don't need and I secretly give it away to someone who needs/wants it more than I do (a trick I learned here)!

Gratitude

I think one of the easiest ways to not worry about what you can't have/do/spend during the holidays is to be thankful for all the things that can and will happen. I'm so grateful to spend this time with my partner and to be in a relationship with someone who thinks similarly to me so that we can enjoy the time we spend together.

I also feel so lucky and privileged to have the choice to spend (or not spend) money during all the upcoming holidays. I focus on simple treats that feel extravagant, like making my own version of hot apple cider (100% apple juice heated up with a cinnamon stick--so much better than that powdered stuff). I love watching the leaves change and then scooping them up to add to our compost after they've fallen to the ground. And since I'm more of a cool-weather type of person, I've enjoyed switching out to warmer clothes and walking in the nice, crisp air.

Opportunities for gratitude are everywhere, and they're easy to find if you let yourself be open to them.

Nomadic minimalism: Could you live on a sailboat?

A young couple sold everything they own, and with virtually no experience, bought a sailboat and started traveling. This type of nomadic minimalism fascinates me. Could you do it?

I'm talking about the book I just finished, called Bumfuzzle - Just Out Looking for Pirates by Patrick Schulte. Here's what's coming up in this post:

1. The story of Bumfuzzle
2. Aspects of nomadic minimalism
3. Risk factors
4. How nomadic minimalists transform over time
5. Sailboat life

1. The story of Bumfuzzle

"Bumfuzzled" means confused or perplexed. Ali and Pat Schulte named their sailboat Bumfuzzle in reflection of their inexperience as sailors. 

Before circumnavigating the world, they were living in a condo in Chicago. They took a single, short, sailing class (on a lake, with a training boat). After selling everything, they moved onto a used boat in Florida. With barely any practice sails, they set off on their journey.

I should also mention that they rarely cooked--they basically lived off of fast food in Chicago. That's fine when you're staying at a port. But 21 days at sea? That's not going to work. Let's just say there were a lot of repetitive meals and burned food when there were no restaurants around.

Despite all this, they made it through over 4 years of sailing. They didn't sink their boat, get attacked by pirates (that's still a thing!), or die of malnutrition.  

In the end, their journey was successful, but once they were done with the trip, it seemed like they were pretty much done with boat life. However, during their trip, they had all of their possessions on a relatively small boat. So whether by choice or as a side effect, they were minimalists during their nomadic time.

I should also mention that they started this journey before social media was really around, and I liked how it felt like they were just living their lives and not contriving media-worthy situations that they could share on the internet. They frequently mentioned being bored or repetitive tasks as a large part of their day, and I think that's very realistic when you're in the ocean without a view of anything but water.

2. Aspects of nomadic minimalism

Previously in this blog, we've discussed experiential minimalism, and travel, or a nomadic existence, was featured in that post. Nomadic minimalism can be seen as a subset of experiential minimalism, where travel/being nomadic is the experience of focus.

But many people are "accidental minimalists" as a result of their preference for an experience like being a nomad. They don't say "I want to be a minimalist, so I'm going to start traveling," but rather "I want to travel, and I ended up adopting minimalism as a result."

I follow a lot of nomads because I think the idea of it is so cool. I'm always curious what people choose to bring when they travel the world living out of a backpack, or what goes inside a boat, car, or RV when that's your only home.

From watching videos about cities around the world that attract foreigners, it seems there are many rentals out there that come fully furnished. You can literally show up with your clothes and toothbrush and start a new life in a new city. When you want to move elsewhere, you just find another furnished abode in a different city or country. Houses for sale even come fully furnished. There are also many comments about how easy it is to move about these places, due to the abundance of public transportation, or walkability with access to local resources. 

I've heard that in the U.S., selling a home furnished is somewhat frowned upon in real estate contracts and has to be done under the radar, and "fully furnished" rentals in the States usually are missing things, like linens and maybe dishes. They assume you're moving from another place within the country and already have the basics. 

And while it's not always true, it looks like there are many beautiful places to visit that are much, much cheaper to live in than in the United States. So being an international minimalist nomad is not only viable for the long-term, but it can also be very cost-effective.

According to Statista, the average apartment in the U.S. costs $1124 per month. These are some monthly rentals for under $1000 per month in Europe I found on Airbnb.

A few posts ago when I talked about my unpopular minimalist opinions, and I mentioned that I don't believe that people with a low income are forced to be minimalist and that minimalism is not simply a glamorization of poverty. While some people choose to live a nomadic life and are also minimalist, the 2 are not mutually exclusive. When I lived in a bigger city, I encountered a lot of unhoused people, and not by choice. They lived in tents, cars, or RVs, and many of them had WAY more than the essentials. It wasn't uncommon to see items spilling out everywhere out of their vehicle, with it being so full that they had to move things to get in and out, stuff strapped to the roof, and windows obscured from objects piled high.

And this isn't just a symptom of homeless persons, either. I've walked past run-down apartment buildings that had units no more than maybe 1000 square feet and seen tenants holding sales of their possessions. The amount of stuff was staggering and made me wonder how much was still left inside if they considered what they were selling the excess.

In short, I've known and seen many people who were nomads but not necessarily minimalist when it came to how much they owned. But as you probably know, there is more to minimalism than an inventory of materials. It's also a mindset. I think people who choose to live out of a small space, either for financial or experiential reasons, don't automatically qualify as minimalists. I'll explain that a bit more in a bit.

3. Risk factors

There are some obvious risks to living on a boat that made a global crossing, especially back around the early 2000s. While reading the book, I tried to picture how I would feel being the only person (or one of 2 people) around for maybe hundreds of miles. To not see another boat, plane, or any landmass for days at a time. The thought of pirates coming by and being defenseless is terrifying. So is somebody getting really sick, or damage to the boat that can't be fixed in the middle of a large body of water.

Oops!

You can apply these risks to any type of travel that takes you into remote areas of land. Because of course, not all travelers choose only well-developed cities as their destinations of choice. I've seen documentation of people who travel so they can climb mountains, do through-hiking, or visit a place with an extreme climate, just to say they survived it. I think that there may be a connection between experiential minimalism, nomadic minimalism, and being more comfortable with uncertainty. 

There are definitely risks inherent to a nomadic lifestyle that are different from a stationary life. For example, being in an unfamiliar place means that you don't know where things are. If something bad happens, more research is needed to find out how to access resources. There are also different laws and cultural norms to contend with--things that might seem completely harmless in your native country are illegal elsewhere, or grounds for being banned from the country.

I've also heard that there's a tendency toward decision fatigue for many nomads--although this could be more a problem for newly-minted travelers. In a stationary life, we tend to create habits. We buy the same groceries in the same stores, take the same route to work, and try to keep with a routine. It's all part of adulting, right? But if you're in a new place every day, week, or month, then you will have to re-choose all of those habits. The brain will take time to adapt to this newness. I think being a nomad definitely lends to neuroplasticity!

4. How nomadic minimalists transform over time

Some people probably thrive on this lifestyle, which is why they spend years or decades never settling down in one place. There's a YouTuber named Bob Wells who runs the channel Cheap RV Living. He started living in a vehicle because he became homeless and that's the reason he also started his channel. From what I can tell, he lived in a van and recently bought an ambulance to convert into a living space.

These days, it's rumored that he's a millionaire (thanks to YouTube), but he still lives in a vehicle, mostly on public lands. When asked what he would do when he can no longer drive around, he said he will buy an RV and live in an RV park. So it seems like a minimalist lifestyle is his preferred way of living, whether it's nomadic or stationary.

Ali and Pat never mentioned the word "minimalist" in the book that I can remember. But I think they were, whether they realized it or not. They were not really working while they traveled (it was implied they were living off their savings). They focused completely on sailing, relaxing, reading, and exploring each place they visited. It wasn't about the "boat life" either. It was about travel because they didn't hesitate to rent a hotel room to give themselves a break and explore a country more thoroughly. The boat was just a means to an end, and in fact, they didn't seem particularly attached to anything they owned.

I've also researched other long-term nomads. Some end up buying houses but keep their adventure vehicle. Others move from RVs to boats and then maybe have a camper van for land travel. 

However, many people eventually stop being nomads. I guess they decided they had their adventure, and now they're ready to go back to a default way of living. It seems others build a brand around being nomadic, and use that brand to build up money and a business. Then, once they have enough money, they buy a house and shut down or change their brand.

While they're nomads, they are probably cramming a lot of events into their lives. I spoke with one couple who were van lifers for a few years while they were amid their travels. They drove for several hours per day, trying to always find a scenic place to film and take pictures. Then there were hours of editing so they could post on their YouTube channel, plus blog posts and their Instagram account. During all of this, they also did consult and some other stuff to make money. Each night, they would usually have to find someplace covert to sleep, and sometimes get a knock on their van in the middle of the night by police, telling them to move. It sounded exhausting.

After 2-3 years, they bought a house with a shop on the property so they could design and build van conversions. 

I think they fall into the temporary minimalist category as far as possessions. Outside of possessions, I believe they had a minimalist mindset because all of their attention was focused on what mattered most to them--working toward their goal of settling down so they could have a business and start a family. So while their schedule was crowded, the events were very singular in their intent.

However, minimalism is a very complex and personal experience, and I can only look at what's happening from the outside and give my opinion. If I were to be a minimalist nomad, it would look different from how they did it, and probably how you were to do it as well. 

5. Sailboat life

So could you live on a sailboat? Have you done it already? 

I haven't, but growing up, my mom had a friend who lived on one. It was a wooden boat with real brass everywhere, and she didn't travel anywhere, she just stayed in the same spot. Each year there was this competition at the marina where she stayed, and we'd come to help her polish up the brass and all the wood.

A friend's mom also had a sailboat, but it was the newer fiberglass kind. They parked it at their house, which was by the water. She told me B.O.A.T. is an acronym for "Break Out Another Thousand."

From what I understand, sailboats make global travel more accessible, because you can only carry so much fuel with you on any boat. If you have 1000 miles before the next island, then it's good to have the sails to keep you going. Boats that don't have sails (powerboats) tend to have bigger motors. If it's anything like with cars, then the bigger motor would consume fuel faster than a smaller one.

This is an example of a liveaboard powerboat

However, there's more to understand about operating a sailboat than other motorized boats. Ali and Pat mentioned in their book that they had one sail that they never used, and I seem to recall they weren't even sure what it was for. Sailboats also require a level of physical capability as you have to move around the deck, potentially ducking under horizontal poles, and running the sails up and down the vertical poles. There were a few times when the sails got stuck, and Pat had to climb up the pole to fix things (Sorry, I'm definitely not an expert in all the technical terms about boating).

It seems like, on average, sailboats are cheaper than powerboats. This probably again has to do with the size of the motor and the overall length of the boat. 

I would say that just about anybody who knows how to drive a car could get into a powerboat and figure out how to get it moving, while a sailboat needs more training. Stopping a boat, and maneuvering it in tight spaces, is certainly different than a car. A sailboat without a motor would need several people with oars to do this--something that they conveniently never show in movies and TV. The boat is just magically docked without a scratch on it.

Whether sailing or powerboating, traveling across oceans is a 24/7 job. Meaning someone has to be awake at all times, even if you have cruise control. You have to watch out for other vessels, weather changes, and mechanical issues. There usually won't be any place to anchor, so you just have to keep going and sleep in shifts.

Another interesting note from the book--Ali and Pat were usually the youngest people they met who were also "cruisers." They were told they were "moving too quickly" because others had taken 10 years to circle the globe in their boats, while Ali and Pat were done in about 4 years. However, Pat was quick to point out that these critics often took time off from their journeys, leaving their boat somewhere for months at a time while they went home to a house somewhere. They only lived on their boats part-time. Others stopped for a year or more in one port to live in a marina like my mom's friend.

Given all this, I think it takes a specific type of personality to be a circumnavigating sailboat dweller. Not only that but to be sailboat dwellers like Ali and Pat and not the people they spoke to, who still had a house and all their belongings. This distinction is the difference between a minimalist nomad and an experiential minimalist.

I had a lot of fun researching and writing this post. It's fascinating to peek into the lifestyles of people who travel, and their relationship to minimalism. I hope you enjoyed it!

Eco-minimalist crafting ideas on a budget

I love crafts. My favorites are crochet, painting, and sewing. But sometimes, I worry about buying supplies new and how that affects the environment. This article discusses all the ways I've found to enjoy doing crafts in an eco-minimalist and budget-friendly way.

1. Resources that offer pre-owned crafting supplies
2. Ask around
3. Don't throw anything away
4. Have patience 
5. My eco-minimalist budget crafting

1. Resources that offer pre-owned crafting supplies

There's going to be some overlap here with the resources in my beginner's eco-minimalist tips article. I'll leave a few here, but I recommend referring back to that list for more options. 

• thrift stores
• garage sales
• online peer-to-peer marketplaces
• creative reuse centers list: http://www.reuseresources.org/find-a-center.html
• https://makeandmendshop.com/
• https://www.onlinethrift.net/Crafts-and-Craft-Supplies
• http://www.creative-resale.com/site
• salvage and upcycling stores (like Habitat for Humanity ReStore)
• https://hootofloot.com/ad-category/arts-crafts/miscellaneous-art-supplies/
• https://www.preloved.co.uk/classifieds/hobbies/arts-crafts
• https://www.seconduse.com/
• https://www.texasartasylum.com/
• http://artresourcecenter.org/content/materials.html

I'm sure there are many places local to larger metropolitan areas as well. I saw a bunch of them while I was searching, but they didn't ship orders so I didn't include them. 

A lot of these places don't just offer partially-used supplies, either. People donate brand-new items that they bought and didn't end up using as well. For example, I've gotten unused skeins of yarn still in their wrapper and unopened bottles of paint. I would rather buy these from places that support the ideals I believe in than get them from a chain store where their money goes to create more waste and profit. 

2. Ask around

I bet you that you know at least one person who has some craft supplies that they're not using. From what I've heard, there are also networks of artists or crafters who offer up things they don't want to others.

Sometimes, people have stuff laying around that they forgot about, and they don't think to give it away until someone asks for it. I saw that all the time in my local Buy Nothing group.

I looked it up, and here are a few sites I found:

• https://doodlewash.com/forums/forum/art-supply-swap/
• https://www.atcsforall.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?42-Art-Supply-Swaps-and-Misc-Trades
• https://swapdex.blogspot.com/
• https://www.flickr.com/groups/fabricswap/
• https://www.flickr.com/groups/1120045@N20/ ("Craft Room De-Stash)
• https://craftster.org/
• swap-bot.com
• https://www.facebook.com/craftswaps/

3. Don't throw anything away

What might be useless to you could be valuable to another maker, and vice-versa. I found so many upcycled products on Etsy from things I never would have thought of myself.

Here's this website with amazing pieces of art made from reclaimed and salvaged material. Here are some of my favorites:

Nelson Mandela in plastic and broken necklaces

Plastic, metal, and wood

From cars, motorcycles, and planes

I also found this great website called causeartist where artists raise awareness about pollution through their artwork. They use trash and found items as their media.

If you don't consider yourself an artist, there are still lots of options using recycled materials. I think Pinterest is kinda famous for this, but there are plenty of other places you can find ideas. Here's one website that has some simple beginner crafts that should be accessible to most people: https://www.naturalbeachliving.com/crafts-made-from-recycled-materials/.

However, if you still end up with items that you don't know what to do with, here are a few more articles with resources you can donate to.

https://www.creativelive.com/blog/where-to-donate-craft-supplies/

4. Have patience

Just like with buying anything else used, you're not likely to have immediate access to whatever you want. But isn't that part of the fun of being creative? I love being innovative with what I have access to, and designing projects based on what I'm able to find.

When I first started doing crafts that involved patterns, I would pick out a pattern and then buy the materials (all new) to create the project. Now, I do one of 3 things.

1. I only do projects that will work with supplies I already have
2. I pick the pattern based on the materials I have or am able to find
3. I don't use a pattern at all, or improvise on a template to make it work with what's on hand

The tricky thing is when you're not sure how much you have of something and if it will be enough to do what you want. That's where extra patience comes in. I have some projects that are partially finished because I didn't have enough. I keep samples of what I'm using anytime I make a trip to a local store that might have craft supplies. That way I can check it against whatever they have and see if it will work.

5. My eco-minimalist budget crafting

I'll talk about crochet first because that's what I do the most. A lot of my crochet hooks used to belong to my grandmother, so I didn't even have an initial investment of tools! As mentioned, I get most of my yarn second-hand. New yarn has gotten SO expensive! I recently needed to replenish my stash and got about $400-500 worth of yarn (retail value) for $60, plus the large basket the previous owner was keeping it in. That yarn will probably last me for the next few years with little to no supplementation.

I sometimes design things myself. Other times, I use free patterns. I get them from yarn manufacturer websites, but my favorite place is called Ravelry. You have to sign up, but it's free and then you have access to an unlimited amount of crafting genius! 

Patterns are available for crochet, knitting, machine knitting, and loom knitting. There are paid patterns as well, and you can search and sort using all kinds of parameters.

For sewing, as I mentioned previously, I found a sewing machine at a thrift store for only $25. I looked around for a while, and it was the only one that included a power cord (and the foot pedal). I plugged it in at the store to make sure it worked.

I can't speak for the newer machines, because I've never used one. I learned to sew on my mom's old Singer, and the one I have now is from Sears and was probably made in the 70s or 80s. But that's a good thing, because the machines are entirely mechanical, and their simplicity makes them easy to maintain and fix. When I got it home, it needed some oiling, cleaning, and tuning. But since I did that, it's been working great!

I have worked with brand-new fabric and brand-new patterns before, but that's neither cost-effective nor eco-minimalist. These days, I have a few things I do regularly with sewing.

• If I have a pattern that I like, I'll trace it onto scratch paper so that the original can be used over and over without damage. Pattern paper is very fragile.
• If I'm trying to build/alter a piece of clothing based on something I already own, I use that clothing as a pattern. No paper is needed.
• I alter clothing by pinning it to size while I'm wearing it inside out. I did this recently with a man's shirt I thrifted and converted into a tunic for myself.

If you only get thrifted (or gifted) clothes, then experimenting with altering them to fit your body and style is a lot less expensive. It's also better for the environment. 

As clothing wears out for me, I see if I can upcycle it into other garments, bags, or whatever. I have 2 t-shirts that are about to be on their 3rd iteration since I got them--I'm going to weave them into reusable grocery bags. I also have a sleeveless top with a hole in it. I plan on replacing the damaged area with some crochet embellishments.

Also, I've seen some really cool things being made out of thrifted blankets, quilts, and bedsheets. When my area started having a mask mandate, there were no masks to be found anywhere, in local stores (which I couldn't visit anyway) or online. I ended up looking up a mask pattern online and used some elastic hair ties and an old, ripped pillowcase to make a few masks. I have some other old sheets that have been hanging around for years. When I next need some new pajamas, those sheets are in for a transformation.

As for painting, there are some simple options that some people might find controversial. Someone came across some used canvases and gave them to me. Some were partially finished, and 1 was just plain ugly. I plan to paint over them. 

You could also do this with thrifted canvases. You can also paint on rocks, scrap wood, used furniture, clothing, ceramic, old glass items, walls...the options are endless. 

So far, I haven't found any thrifted paint brushes by themselves. But I've seen painting kits (the ones that come with paints, brushes, and a book or pad) in thrift stores, and definitely paints by themselves. I already have enough brushes, though. When the glue separates from the handle, I just re-glue it.

This could be a much longer article. I love finding inspiration for creativity and finding ways to enjoy my hobbies that aren't wasteful or expensive. I hope you can do the same!