Clear Your Head With These 14 Minimalist Blogs
Resources For Living Simply & Intentionally
It takes a certain level of intention to be unplugged, to peel away from our screens, to pause the busyness of our day to day and devote ourselves to the slow and simple things. We too quickly forget about all we have in search for the constant more. We rarely take the time to declutter or even to simply savor a meal. Numerous studies show that people who focus on the experience of the present moment are far happier than those who are constantly multi-tasking.
Practicing a lifestyle of mindfulness, simplicity and thankfulness helps to remind us of all the beauty in our present life and keep us from piling meaningless things and activities into our routines. These 14 minimalist blogs are wonderful for helping us to get back to the basic—for remembering how to slow down and live a fulfilled life, to consume less and create more.
1. Be More With Less
Best For | Intentional living & gratitude in the face of chronic illness
Courtney Carver’s blog Be More With Less is about simplifying your life and really living. Through decluttering, and focusing on the best things instead of all the things, she encourages readers to live with more savings and less debt, more health and less stress, more space and less stuff, and more joy with less obligation. Check out her article on 25 Ways to Simplify Your Life in 10 minutes or less or 7 Tiny Steps for the Beginner Minimalist.
2. Black Minimalists
Best For | Interviews & meetups
To date, there aren’t many spaces in the digital mindfulness industry for womxn of color, and Black Minimalists is working to change that. Centered on the experiences of black people, the BM team shares nuanced and multi-layered perspectives on not just minimalism, but also pressing social issues, unschooling, and black liberation. We’re big fans of these pieces: Self-care as a social justice act and this interview with J Chavae, a growing black minimalist.
3. Reading My Tea Leaves
Best For | Tiny living inspiration
Erin Boyle’s graceful photography and writing about family life in a tiny 173-square foot apartment makes Reading My Tea Leaves our go-to for simple inspiration. She shares her methods for reducing waste at home, keeping a minimalist wardrobe, and insights into simple living with a family. Her book Simple Matters is a comprehensive starting point if you are looking to pare down, and you can read her series about all the details of life in a tiny apartment online. We especially love this glimpse into how she and her husband work as a team to tidy up.
4. The Minimalists
Best For | A multimedia approach to minimalism
Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus write about living a meaningful life with less stuff. These guys bring humor and satire into their blog, The Minimalists, which reaches over 4 million readers. They preach that minimalism is a tool that can assist us in finding freedom from the trappings of the consumer culture we’ve built our lives around, and allow us to make lifestyle decisions more consciously and more deliberately. Check out their podcast and their books for even more minimalism inspiration.
5. Clothed In Abundance
Best For | Discussions about financial and mental health
Deb Shepherd is a force for good in this world. Her minimalist blog, Clothed In Abundance, takes us on her own personal journey of mental health, money, and minimalist fashion in a way few others can. We’re moved and empowered by her vulnerability and transparency, especially in pieces like how her anxiety and depression affected her finances and the biggest lies we tell ourselves about clutter. Deb consistently reminds us that we can live our best lives, without giving into societal pressures of how we should live or look.
6. Style Bee
Best For | Minimalist capsule wardrobes
Since 2013, Lee (the Bee) Vosburgh has been a source for fashion and style through Style Bee, a blog dedicated to simplicity, comfort, and quality. As a design graduate, Lee knows that style doesn’t have to include fast fashion alone—we can curate thoughtful, intentional, and ethically-made closets that reflect who we are and what we believe in. Learn more about her closet mission, and then take it to the next level with your own 10×10 challenge.
7. Practising Simplicity
Best For | Full time tiny living with a family
Jodi is a writer, photographer and yoga teacher living on the east coast of Australia. Her blog, Practising Simplicity weaves wonderful tips and insightful reflections for simple food, home, life, body and parenting with beautiful photography and images. Read her post on adopting a frugal mindset and five habits that have simplified her daily life.
8. Minimalist Baker
Best For | Minimalist cooking
Wife-husband team Dana and John create recipes that consist of 10 ingredients or less, require a single spoon or bowl, or take 30 minutes or less to prepare for their blog, Minimalist Baker. They bring a design and photography background to their work for a stunning visual simplicity. Check out their creative recipe for Chickpea Shawarma or their 2 Ingredient Dark Chocolate Truffles.
9. Zen Habits
Best For | Firsthand mindfulness stories
San Fransisco-based vegan, runner, and dad of six kids Leo Babauta is the creator of Zen Habits, named one of Time’s Best 25 Blogs. Zen Habits features articles on simplicity, health & fitness, motivation and inspiration, frugality, family life, happiness, goals, getting great things done, and living in the moment. Read his insights on The Transformative Power of Gratitude and How Not To Do It All. Also check out his other blog, mnmlist.
10. Simply + Fiercely
Best For | Inspiring personal stories
For many of us lately, perhaps our lives seem bigger (work, home, family, hobbies, babies, the list never ends) but not necessarily better. Jennifer of Simply + Fiercely knows exactly how that felt, and she shares her journey to minimalism and a happier, simpler way of life. Living today in Australia with her husband and daughter, Jennifer tackles everything from getting your family on board with minimalism to the hard truths about simple living. Take a peek if you’re ready to live healthier and happier.
11. Becoming Minimalist
Best For | Getting the family on board with minimalism
Joshua Becker and his family give their honest and down-to-earth approach towards minimalism in his blog Becoming Minimalist. In removing the possessions from their home that are not essential, their family has found new opportunity to spend their time, energy, and finances on the things that are most important. Read The 10 Most Important Things To Simplify in Your Life and 35 Gifts Your Children Will Never Forget.
12. No Sidebar
Best For | A guide for your minimalism journey
Inbox overflowing? Mind reeling every night? Or maybe your closet is teeming with too many clothes? No Sidebar may be the perfect guide for the journey we all need: getting to a simpler life. No Sidebar offers an interactive email course, where you’ll spend one month going from excess to the essential, weeding out what no longer matters and focusing on the good. Or follow along their blog and read posts like which questions you should ask yourself while minimizing, or how to use meaning to direct your spending.
13. Exile Lifestyle
Best For | Simple travel inspiration
Colin Wright’s blog served as a starting place for Joshua from The Minimalists who stumbled upon it in 2009. Colin’s blog, Exile Lifestyle, has inspired many to rethink their lifestyles, taking a harder look at what brings true happiness and fulfillment. A world traveler and a writer through and through, he knows how to spark a thoughtful conversation on a variety of simple topics from his perspective on things to his thoughts on what it means to be successful.
14. Mindful
Best For | Learning mindfulness
Mindful is the place to go for information and inspiration on living mindfully. Studies show strong correlations between practicing mindfulness and positive benefits for our health, happiness, work, and relationships. The website and print magazine shares personal stories, news, and practical advice for living in the present. Check out their guide to getting started with mindfulness and begin your journey today.
