Minimalism and Blogging are Here to Stay
We are real people writing for real people, and real people reading what real people write.
We are not cyborgs or zombies or zomborgs.
We are girls and boys, men and woman, husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and friends. Real people.
Minimalism is here to stay
Minimalism (by any name) has been a topic of interest that has been around for centuries, and will be around for centuries. If you write about it, you can keep writing about it. If you read about it, you can keep reading about it. That does not make you a zombie, or a loser, or left behind. When it comes to blogging, I think the important thing is to write things and read things that matter.
By sharing and contributing your…
- art
- music
- writing
- dancing
- artistic passion
- special talent
You tell your story.
Minimalism for me is not about how many things I own. If you want to know what minimalism/living with less does mean to me, you can read any of the following posts:
Blogging is here to stay.
Blogging is important. When I wrote about the changes I’ve made to be healthy with Multiple Sclerosis in Lessons for Less, as a guest post for Leo Babauta, I thought I was doing it to tell my story to his readers, and grow my readership. I am so grateful for the opportunity, but the truth is, I wrote it to reach her:
“On Dec 26 I got really sick. It started with horrible vertigo, which I chalked up to an ear infection. By the evening of the 30th, I was seeing double and having a hard time walking. I knew something was very wrong and went to the ER. The emergency room doctors ran me through all kinds of tests including an MRI. They found lesions on my brain and diagnosed me with MS early the next morning.
The first thought I had after the words Multiple Sclerosis came from the doctor’s mouth was your post on Zen Habits. Instead of feeling scared or angry or sad (those feelings did come later) I felt unbelievably calm. I thought about what you said about your goal to reverse MS through lifestyle changes and along the way became a better, happier person. In those few seconds I felt no fear. I felt like I could manage what was happening to me because you were. I felt courageous.
My family and friends all comment about how positive and happy I am in the face of this diagnosis. And you know what? I am happy and I am thinking positive in no small part thanks to you. I would have never thought that I would be diagnosed with MS two weeks after reading your story. It still blows my mind that I read it at the most opportune time.
Courtney, I am so grateful that I stopped to read your post that day. I’m grateful that you took the time to share your experience. I am grateful that every time I feel scared or worried I can refer to that post for a little support. Thank you.”
Writing about my experience changed her’s. Your experience, your story has changed mine. As readers, you change me. As bloggers, you change me. Joshua, Leo, Francine, Dave, Ali, Mary, Katie, Tammy, Raam, Dan, Karol, Lance and Jane – Those real people, along with so many others, changed me with their stories.
Thank You.
I hope you know that every time you comment on this blog, send me an email, tweet me a message and support my efforts, you inspire me to inspire you. We are in this together. You matter.
If you aren’t already convinced, here is more proof that people want to learn about living more simply:
- Project 333 started in October and has more than 1000 participants on Facebook (up from 400 in December).
- In a recent survey, more than 80% of you asked for information about minimizing stuff.
Despite any “blogging is ending” hysteria you hear out there, Be More With Less will be here, along with many great blogs written by real people. We are not here to learn about minimalism for the sake of minimalism, but to learn to be happier, healthier contributors to our families, and the world.
Remember what is important to you and do that. Read and write about that. Love and breathe that, and them.
I want to connect, be vulnerable, love and be loved. I am not a zombie. and neither are you, even if you have a job, watch TV, and eat french fries. I may not be able to predict the future but I can promise you this; I am a real person writing for real people…writing for you.
Read another story of a real person learning to live with less at theproject333.com.
New to Be More With Less? Read more about what to expect, and this post with links to important posts and reader favorites.
Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, please subscribe to Be More with Less & share on twitter.
59 Responses to “Minimalism and Blogging are Here to Stay”
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Courtney, I LOVE how positive this post is. I never thought minimalism was a movement. If so, it’s one of the longest lived movements in history because it’s been around since the beginning of history. I’ll be glad when the silliness of the past few days blows over because that’s all it is.
Keep rockin’!
Thanks Chris, For the same reason I turned my TV off, I am turning off things that don’t contribute to happiness, healthiness and connecting to real people.
It’s easy to get caught up in the hype of bad or strange news, but it is just as easy to flip the switch and focus on what really matters.
Really great post, Courtney! Thanks for showing us to focus on what matters and reminding us all why blogs are written and read by so many people.
Faith, Thank you! It has been so cool to watch your blog grow and inspire others.
Thank you for this. Like many folks who travel in minimalist circles, I’ve been watching this week’s brouhaha with some combination of dismay and amusement. I’ve been living this life for over 10 years, which means that some bloggers were probably in elementary school when I first decided to become a minimalist. At that time simpleliving.net was one of the few online places to talk about minimalism, and it’s where I first heard of people living with 100 things (from a woman named Fawn) – long before *any* of today’s “A-list blogs” existed. I’m very grateful that this movement is gaining mainstream attention and to the bloggers who have been instrumental in that in the past few years, but I also want to acknowledge other, older pioneers. Thanks for your contributions and positive attitude!
Nice read Courtney, this was a great pick for me to read first thing in the day, it sets a very positive tone.
Zomborg, I like that
It was a better option than Cybie!
Yes, blogging is here to stay! I am a FIbromyalgia Warrior and entrepreneur. My own blog on my healthy journey gives a personal insight to my battle to life the fullest life possible – including the many levels of success.
Well done, Courtney! Keep up the awesome work and stay healthy!
Way to go Shannon. You are changing lives.
Thank you for this. What a great read to start my day.
Living simply and authentically will always be something people strive for. And I still meet people daily that are intrigued by the M word and want to know more.
Great Post Courtney – I agree completely with all you said. Keep writing and inspiring!
I think you read the same Everett Bogue post I did, and came away with some of the same feelings as well. While I don’t agree with most of what he said, I’m not completely on board with you either. I think for some people minimalism is a movement, it certainly is more high profile now than it has been in the past. “Look how cool I am because I only have 100 things! Why don’t you only have 100 things?” For others, it’s a transitional process, similar to counting calories (once you’ve done it, you never look at food the same way again). A select few use it as an ongoing basis for their lives. I think I fall in the middle, using the principles to help me move from one lifestyle to another, but it’s good to keep in mind that everyone has different motivations and needs, and minimalism can be a tool that helps in many ways.
Joe, I think I understand what you are trying to say. Living more simply is interpreted differently for each of us to fit our unique lifestyles. It would be silly for me to eat the same number of calories as you or have the same number of things as you and expect the same results.
There are bits and parts of minimalism that work well for some and not at all for others, but when we start applying the message in a way that speaks to our life, things start to fall into place.
A sweet and beautiful post. You have a gift for reaching out and it is wonderful that you use it in this way.
Blogging and minimalism’s death has been greatly exaggerated ;D
Onwards & upwards!
Great post Courtney – Like I said, for real people from a real person
An incredible story with this letter! But his is a proof that such stories happen. We never know what kind of impact things that we do can have on other people’s lives. Amazing.And thanks for your blog, it’s also a great inspiration for me.
Greetings from Poland!
Thanks Milly. Greetings from the US!
I’m on board and off board.
I agree. Honestly I’m sick of Bogue trying to create a new market for himself by denouncing his previous one. I see that as 100% marketing, not genuine self improvement. Furthermore, coming from a guy who was so adamant about the “This isn’t a fad,” it’s kind of disgusting to see him turn tail like this.
However much I also hate his catchphrase: Cyborg I can’t deride metaphors too much. I’m a fan of using the Zombie metaphor for people caught in the rat race.
I’m reading Walden which was written in 1854, and you could say that it is all about minimalism, even though it didn’t call it that. Minimalism has been around for a long time, and it will continue to be.
Back to Ev. Making a statement like that is a great way to get people talking about you, so I guess he accomplished that! He likes to “stir the pot”, so to speak. (Also note the statement at the end of his site: “I’m not selling my book after Feb 11, so you better buy it now!”.)
wonderful and much needed post! thanks for continually sharing yourself with us. i agree that any way people share their creativity is awesome and you never know when it will be something so crucial in the moment, as your MS post impacted that lady’s life.
Katry, I am so grateful that she read the post when she did. I have had those moments where I read something at just the right time, so to be on the giving end of that process is truly a blessing.
Courtney,
I honestly teared up reading your latest; am still moved as I write this. I was just talking with Mike Donghia about the wonderful, fresh voices in minimalism and about taking the conversation deeper, to what matters. The why behind what we are doing informs what we share and who in turn is touched by it. And that is the greatest reason of all; blogging about your journey, your experience has already touched lives; a previous one the above described reader, most recent one, may be me. Your voice continues to ring true and will impact people, others continue to join in and even more lives are touched. Thank you for sharing so sincerely, being so transparent and caring that real people receive your words, not cyborgs
Thank you Gena. I so appreciate your ongoing contribution to this very important conversation.
Actually, I think the future is minimalist blogging. Using Twitter for a blogging platform or Flickr to post a photo and add a short blog post with it.
Blogs in and of themselves tend to not be minimalistic. They are bloated. Bloggers use unnecessary photos, too many external links. and many, many bloggers simply exist to sell a service or product.
And to be totally honest, one of the first steps in minimalism should be to minimize the number of blogs, news sites, and other webpages one reads.
Just wanted to chime in with a heartfelt “thank you” for this post.
So much hoopla lately surrounding “the end of minimalism” and everything he posted. I am glad to see people such as yourself professing your dedication to the movement. Thank you.
Courtney,
I was so touched by this post, by your care, and by your dedication to touch others. The essence is so simple yet so profound. Thank you!
Sandra, I am sure with your blog, you’ve found that reaching others is just one of the many benefits of blogging. I feel so lucky to be able to do this.
Courtney, you are so wise. You it all. If we all just focused on love, living our lives to the fullest, sharing our gifts, being inspired by others’ gifts and doing what works best for our own lives – what a wonderful, uncomplicated world it would be.
And what an amazing comment from someone whose life you clearly impacted in such a positive way; her story is truly a reason to feel that blogging and the connections we make online are worth it!
Thank you for such a beautiful – and sensible – post.
Bonkers to the hype that blogging is ending…maybe for those who got into it for the wrong reasons. Sometimes people get into blogging for the right reasons and then they don’t need it anymore so they move on…I’m okay with that…because to me that is what blogging started out to be! That is…a forum to gather information and people and to share…that’s it! I feel like alot of network marketing people got into blogging as a stairway to a website business. And that is fine too as long as you know what their intentions were and MANY bloggers have wonderful intentions and you know because THEY PUT IT ALL OUT THERE for everyone to know and share and expand upon. When I started blogging over three years ago I didn’t start out being a minialmist…I started because I closed down my retail store and I wanted a way to keep sharing my art journals while I was still working frull-time. Since then I was laid off and we downsized and in a sense we have become minimalists in the sense that we are so much happier with LESS. And yet we do MORE with less and that’s what my blog has morphed into now as I’m in the process of changing the logo and platform etc. Thanks for putting it all into words for all of us…love it! This recenet project and blog post explains our journey…enjoy
http://con-tain-it.typepad.com/my_weblog/2011/01/once-upon-a-time.html#tp
I haven’t been reading any blogs the last few days so I was surprised at what you said. I enjoy what you have to say. You are inspiring, encouraging and nonjudgmental. I have been experimenting with a degree of minimalism. I’m not comparing myself to others, just the way I used to be. I find it freeing. I like a simpler life. It suits me for this time in my life. I know it’s not for everyone and that’s okay.
I just want to encourage your sweet spirit and thank you for what you share.
Okay, I just read the Bogue blog that seems to have initiated the defensive attitude in your entry. He may have been an important voice at one time, but he sounds just a little over impressed with his own improtance.
You on the otherhand are gentle and kind. You I will continue to read. Bogue just launched himself into outer space. But that’s okay, I hope he finds some fellows to connect with.
Courtney, this is fantastic. Positivity is beautiful. Keep it up!
Hey Courtney, I know it is tough and often not worthwhile to step into the fray, but you’ve done it with fire and grace. Thanks for being you, thanks for the mention, for inspiring me, supporting me, and being a big part of my blogging journey. Love your focus on the real goods in life – love and connection.
I couldn’t agree more Courtney! Thanks for posting this and for the inspiration that you provide. Keep it up
Thank you, I think the beauty of blogging is a cross polinization… and some can be really touching and life-altering. Thanks for sharing it.
I don’t know anything about Bogue or the demise of blogging, but I do know that I get a really good, peaceful feeling every time you pop up in my email and I read your new post. I also read your “getting to God,” and am thankful for you and your openness. Blessings to you.
“Despite any “blogging is ending” hysteria you hear out there, Be More With Less will be here, along with many great blogs written by real people. We are not here to learn about minimalism for the sake of minimalism, but to learn to be happier, healthier contributors to our families, and the world.”
Bravo my dear. You wrote the post I wanted to write, but couldn’t get down in words. Honest, open, objective and human. Thank you for this Courtney, especially right now while the drama is so high.
On another note, what a beautiful story you shared from your reader. I had a friend a while back who had MS. At one time, before I knew him, he’d been wheelchair-bound with it. He adopted a mostly raw food diet, got out of that wheelchair and up zipping around. I was blown away when he shared that story with me years ago. Looking at him with so much energy I never would have guessed there’d been a time when he didn’t have the strength to walk.
Stories like yours and your readers are what it’s all about. Real connections. That’s why I love your blog!
Cheers,
Tanja
Tanja, That is an amazing story and just what people in that situation need to hear. I think in so many instances, we need hope to begin to heal, and a great success story offers that precious hope.
Just to throw a little humor into it, he was a customer at the health food co-op where I worked, and over the years he turned into a friend. Everyone used to call him Banana Brian because every time he came in he zipped around the store really fast and bought 4 or 5 bunches of bananas, along with all his other stuff.
He turned me on to green tea ice cream which I probably would never have had if it weren’t for him. Yeah he is an inspiration in action and I always think of him when I’m having a hard time taking the steps I need to rebalance.
i just recently found your blog through ali edwards’ blog and am so happy that i did! 2011 is my year of “less” and i have a feeling stopping by here is going to be important for me during this journey. thank you for all that you share with your readers.
Tamara, You’ve come to the right place for a year of less! Welcome – glad you found me, and especially from such a talented, authentic blogger like Ali.
Amen Courtney! I’m here to stay too
Still enjoying life with less, and still blogging about the journey. Thanks for all you do…you are an inspiration.
Dr. Laura
Hey Courtney! I am so totally with you. I can’t see going back on either accounts, ever. I will always search to simplify and I can’t imagine not blogging or reading the words of my global tribe.
Stories do change people’s thinking. Ideas can inspire. Sometimes I think that as bloggers and writers, we don’t always know what is going to stick and work but when it does, it’s unbelievably satisfying at some soul level. Like what you did for this woman. That’s concrete. You can hold on to that. You can savor it and treasure it and remember it as one of the times when your vulnerability reached out and touched another person who desperately needed it. The perfect intersection. Your soul reaching and touching hers. It’s perfect. And guess what. She’ll give it further. And your energy lives on in that way, going out in directions you will never even know about.
It’s so nice, isn’t it?
Diana, It is much more than I ever thought it would be.
Hello Courtney…excellent (re)distillation of the importance of sincerity…whether that was your intention or not. Some people are indeed masters of marketing themselves and do indeed turn a lot of good people on to good things, like the concept of minimalism. Some people will “get into it”, improve themselves and their families, maybe live it for good…maybe move on, but the way of living simply, regardless of one’s means or how many things are in their backpack, will always be there for those who seek it. No one person has a patent on minimalism. Blogs like yours are effective (and will endure) because their authors *share* their stories. Mindful living is not a competition.
Despite all the negativity in the blogosphere you have managed to keep a positive attitude toward the entire scenario. I am blessed to read such an honest and real blog. You hit the proverbial nail on the head when you said “We are not cyborgs or zombies or zomborgs.
We are girls and boys, men and woman, husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and friends. Real people.” Way to tell it like it is! I believe we are in a technological time right now when everyone has the ability to access the internet at an amazingly fast rate and from almost anywhere in the world. This leads some people to think that we are changing as humans. Even though the way we relate is changing, we are not going to grow a scroll wheel on our first knuckle to enable us to scroll through real life menus. Anything like that would have to be implanted. Now as far as zombies: The only time I feel like one is after a short night’s sleep when I have to be at work the next day.
Keep the great posts coming!
I love your thought that we can change another person’s experience by sharing our stories. I tell my family’s story often and I love it when I do it effectively enough to influence another person’s journey. Sharing our story is important.
Lynne, I think sharing our story is one of the most important things we can do.
Hello Courtney, and thanks for your blog.
For the positive energy that comes from it, the smiling simplicity it has, the calm it brings in my mind.
Blogging is here to stay, I am sure of it when of it when I read your words.
Thanks Elisa. I love the idea of “smiling simplicity”.
I must confess I become a little confused when last week I came to read about cyborgs and cyborgia. Thanks for enlightening me of minimalist is not about fashion, and you are right, no matter what we think or practice or read or write, we are just people making things and interacting with other people, in a way to extend our happiness and our survival on this planet.
Wow.
I walked away from minimalist blogging because I was finding it too commercialized and a lot of “saying” but not a lot of doing. I spent a year DOING (well, since.. what, March? Okay, half a year.) And I’ve enjoyed it.
I come back to find this great big megawar going on and one of the pioneers of minimalist blogging now writing about (and soon selling another ebook, I bet) becoming Cyborgs.
All I can say as a result of this is, this:
It’s a very good thing minimalist blogs and minimalism have NOTHING TO DO WITH EACH OTHER.
It’s a good thing indeed, that I can have someone read Walden, and it’s just that simple
Hi Courtney,
Amen, indeed! And very well said, as usual – gentle, straightforward, honest, and balanced. (Terrifyingly, my 3-year-old and I just discovered a flock of zomborgs under his bed this morning! Not what you want to deal with before breakfast, believe me.)
take care,
Lisa at Semi-Material World
Courtney,
This gave me chills, reading that sweet letter you received. And it’s not sweet in what this person is dealing with (which I’m sure you know all too well). What is sweet…you…and her. You, because you write with heart and soul. And you write your truth. And that is so, so connecting. It’s something I felt the first time I visited here. And her…taking the time to share this with you. I know how deeply touching this is – when we read words like this…personally. It IS the real beauty of blogging – of real people, REAL people – living their truth, and sharing openly.
…and touching lives in so many ways. And the thing is, I know (know, know, know) that your words have touched a countless number of people whom you don’t even know.
…and it is all so, so beautiful…just as your soul…you…are…
Peace,
Lance
What an inspiring and moving start to my day – thank you for writing this, Courtney. Life and blogging are both about reaching out to other people, giving and receiving. I knew that about life, was almost there about blogging, but sometimes it takes a heartfelt message like yours to really bring it home.
Thank you and please keep on with Be More With Less.
Wonderful!
Nicola x
Thank you for this blogpost. I am attending the project 333 and it has changes my thinking even though I am not writing so much about it on my blog. You have encouraged me to continue writing about my experiences.
Lena, That makes me so happy. Keep writing and sharing your experience. The world needs you!
Finally. Someone that has the balls to say it like it is. Rock on, Courtney!
Beautiful words and beautiful blog! Much peace to you and everyone here