“A clean slate, freedom, lightness, was what we craved.” I really understand this.
So much of what you’ve written here is exactly how I’ve felt over the past year or so. It resonates and I’m so pleased you’ve broken free and followed what feels right for you.
I find this so interesting Lyndsay, the more I grow, the less I become attached to material things and that desire for more. I would happily pack up tomorrow with very little, the thing that preoccupies me is space. We live in a house that is more space than we need, but I’ve got used to it. We’re looking to move and where as I know we’d cope with less space, the thought of being confined bothers me. I’d be really interested to know how you’ve dealt with that. As for the stuff I’ve accumulated I can’t wait to get rid of most of it and have a clean slate. Of course it’s ok to keep special items! 💫🙏
Thanks Louise, and I love hearing your thoughts on the topic. A clean slate is always good and it definitely clears the mind too!
When we first moved out of our house and into the camper van, the reduction in space didn't really bother me. I was too preoccupied with the travelling and I suppose we got used to it. Plus we take advantage of the outdoor space (especially now we are in the 4x4!) and now I love spending a lot of my time outside. But I think because our travels are coming to an end by the end of this year, I've been thinking a lot more about space lately. I don't think I need as much of it as I've grown accustomed to less but I'm looking forward to having a space I can call my own again. I've been thinking what I want to use space for, how I want to fill it or spend time in it 💜
I love this! I recently watched The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning and it has fundamentally changed my relationship with all of my stuff. I'm much less attached and it makes it much easier to hand things away. I feel less burdened (on good days). It's so hard to disentangle ourselves though, let's be honest. And it's not as simple as just letting things go as you say so well.
Thanks Rachel! Ooo I'm going to need to check that out! I'm intrigued ☺️
It is hard to disentangle (I like that way of describing it!) and doing it under pressure, I can imagine, never works. I'm glad I kind of stumbled upon it by chance and without having to put too much thought into it!
I find I need much less since Covid clipped my wings. I don't go out to shops any more, really, and living with - and making the most of - the stuff I already had became such a fun challenge.
We're just back from a week away in the van for work, and I was astonished - despite packing even less than on our last (longer!) trip - that I'd taken far too many clothes with me. And again I took other things that I didn't need, and/or didn't have the time or the opportunity to use. It's not on the same scale as your pared-back approached, in that it's not as pared back, but like you I'm learning so much from living (albeit not all the time) in a much smaller space.
In general I don't need any more than I *actually* need. That goes for clothes, books, food and money. Time and love, now, well, there's always space for more, more, more of both of those. 😉
It's amazing really how much you learn isn't it when you are in a situation where you need to strip it back a bit even if it is out of necessity due to a reduction in space. That's one thing I love about travelling in a van (or any vehicle), you find out what you really need ☺️
Oh and I totally agree about time and love - you can never get enough of either of those 💜
Love the intentionality it seems like you are expressing and considering how stuff, or less stuff, makes you feel. Really interesting and I relate in many ways.
This is so interesting Lyndsay. I used to love all the latest must-haves from my favourite influencers but I’m totally bored (and jaded) by the whole thing and retail therapy just doesn’t cut it anymore! To be honest, I feel guilty that I have so much stuff that isn’t worn or used.
So for now I’m buying much less and and putting much more thought into what I need (which is actually very little!).
I look forward to seeing how you get on but I honestly think the benefits of living a more minimalist lifestyle have already been a major positive in your life xx
It's interesting to look back on how we change and how our thoughts differ over the years. I like how you recognised you wanted to buy less and now you think more about what you're buying. I don't think it's a case of going without things but buying the things that we need or get joy out of (like new running trainers haha) xx
Loved reading this Lyndsay! I’d like to think I live a minimal life, but my rooms aren’t empty. They’re filled with the things that we love, that we use and that bring us joy. We just don’t have a lot of unnecessary stuff. That’s what minimalism means to me 🥰
“A clean slate, freedom, lightness, was what we craved.” I really understand this.
So much of what you’ve written here is exactly how I’ve felt over the past year or so. It resonates and I’m so pleased you’ve broken free and followed what feels right for you.
Thanks Hannah 💫
It's certainly been an eye-opening and interesting journey!
I don't think I'll ever be able to truly give that craving of freedom and lightness up 💜
I find this so interesting Lyndsay, the more I grow, the less I become attached to material things and that desire for more. I would happily pack up tomorrow with very little, the thing that preoccupies me is space. We live in a house that is more space than we need, but I’ve got used to it. We’re looking to move and where as I know we’d cope with less space, the thought of being confined bothers me. I’d be really interested to know how you’ve dealt with that. As for the stuff I’ve accumulated I can’t wait to get rid of most of it and have a clean slate. Of course it’s ok to keep special items! 💫🙏
Thanks Louise, and I love hearing your thoughts on the topic. A clean slate is always good and it definitely clears the mind too!
When we first moved out of our house and into the camper van, the reduction in space didn't really bother me. I was too preoccupied with the travelling and I suppose we got used to it. Plus we take advantage of the outdoor space (especially now we are in the 4x4!) and now I love spending a lot of my time outside. But I think because our travels are coming to an end by the end of this year, I've been thinking a lot more about space lately. I don't think I need as much of it as I've grown accustomed to less but I'm looking forward to having a space I can call my own again. I've been thinking what I want to use space for, how I want to fill it or spend time in it 💜
Yes exactly Lyndsay, how you can use the space and what you use it for. I look forward to hearing more as you move towards that. 🙏💫
I love this! I recently watched The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning and it has fundamentally changed my relationship with all of my stuff. I'm much less attached and it makes it much easier to hand things away. I feel less burdened (on good days). It's so hard to disentangle ourselves though, let's be honest. And it's not as simple as just letting things go as you say so well.
Thanks Rachel! Ooo I'm going to need to check that out! I'm intrigued ☺️
It is hard to disentangle (I like that way of describing it!) and doing it under pressure, I can imagine, never works. I'm glad I kind of stumbled upon it by chance and without having to put too much thought into it!
Such a great post, Lyndsay!
I find I need much less since Covid clipped my wings. I don't go out to shops any more, really, and living with - and making the most of - the stuff I already had became such a fun challenge.
We're just back from a week away in the van for work, and I was astonished - despite packing even less than on our last (longer!) trip - that I'd taken far too many clothes with me. And again I took other things that I didn't need, and/or didn't have the time or the opportunity to use. It's not on the same scale as your pared-back approached, in that it's not as pared back, but like you I'm learning so much from living (albeit not all the time) in a much smaller space.
In general I don't need any more than I *actually* need. That goes for clothes, books, food and money. Time and love, now, well, there's always space for more, more, more of both of those. 😉
Thank you for another fabulous read.
Thanks Rebecca! 💜
It's amazing really how much you learn isn't it when you are in a situation where you need to strip it back a bit even if it is out of necessity due to a reduction in space. That's one thing I love about travelling in a van (or any vehicle), you find out what you really need ☺️
Oh and I totally agree about time and love - you can never get enough of either of those 💜
Love the intentionality it seems like you are expressing and considering how stuff, or less stuff, makes you feel. Really interesting and I relate in many ways.
Thanks Jess! I'm glad you liked it and found it relateable ☺️
It's a new space for me to explore which is exciting and it's good to know that I'm talking sense and people can relate!
Much love always xxx
💜
This is so interesting Lyndsay. I used to love all the latest must-haves from my favourite influencers but I’m totally bored (and jaded) by the whole thing and retail therapy just doesn’t cut it anymore! To be honest, I feel guilty that I have so much stuff that isn’t worn or used.
So for now I’m buying much less and and putting much more thought into what I need (which is actually very little!).
I look forward to seeing how you get on but I honestly think the benefits of living a more minimalist lifestyle have already been a major positive in your life xx
Thanks Faith 💜🥰
It's interesting to look back on how we change and how our thoughts differ over the years. I like how you recognised you wanted to buy less and now you think more about what you're buying. I don't think it's a case of going without things but buying the things that we need or get joy out of (like new running trainers haha) xx
Hmmm maybe I do have a lot of running shoes but I see them as an investment!!! 😂 xx
An absolute investment!! Xx
Loved reading this Lyndsay! I’d like to think I live a minimal life, but my rooms aren’t empty. They’re filled with the things that we love, that we use and that bring us joy. We just don’t have a lot of unnecessary stuff. That’s what minimalism means to me 🥰
Aw thanks Sophie! I'm glad you enjoyed it 💜
I totally agree and that's where I feel I'm at too - it's the stuff that brings us joy that we need to have, not the pointless and the unnecessary 🥰
Completely agree! 🤍