Simit magazine by Nhi Le

F R A N C I N E J AY

simit the joy of minimalism

â&#x20AC;&#x153;My goal is no longer to do more but to have less to doâ&#x20AC;?

SET PIECE

Master Minimalist Daniel Buren earns his fashion stripes

SNOW SEASON What is your dress code this winter?

MORE L SS be

vol. 01 Dec 12

www.simitmagazine.com

a dver ti sin g

Swan Lake

Univers Theatre Kistler June 11th Darci Damian Woetzel Music: Swan Lake (1875-1876) Length: Act I: 57 Min. Act II: 1 Hr. 3 Min. Costumes: Per Kirkeby, based on original designs by Per Kirkeby and Kirsten Lund Nielsen Barbara Matea Set Per Kirkeby Lighting Mark Stanley

contents 04

FRANCIE JAY

the face 06

“My Goal is no longer to get more done but have less to do”

guides

WHAT YOU NEED, WHAT YOU DON’T

more savings and less no debt, more health and less stress, more space and less stuff, and more joy with less obligation.

BE MORE WITH LESS

feature

how living with less can lead to so much more?

SET PIECE

Master Minimalist Daniel Buren earns his fashion stripes

SNOW SEA SON

news 19

fashion

What is your dress code this winter?

BE MORE WITH LESS

What is minimalism? Why minimalism? The rule of 14 Become a minimalist

the face

“My goal more done

is no

longer

to get

he Joy of Less is a celebration of minimalist living – it’s part philosophy, part pep talk, and an arsenal of practical techniques for purging the clutter from our lives. In it, I outline the STREAMLINE method (ten sure-fire steps to a decluttered home), and guide readers on a room-by-room minimalist makeover. I also talk about how we can trim our to-do lists and reclaim our time. And finally, I discuss the farreaching benefits of living lightly on the Earth – because I think it’s very cool that saving space in our closets goes hand in hand with saving the planet! Why did I write it? Well, when I started blogging about minimalist living last year, I expected to have just a handful of followers. The response, however, blew me

FRANCINE JAY but

to have less to do” by Tammy Akana

away – I couldn’t believe how many people were interested in paring down their lives, and were hungry for information on how to do so. I quickly became the “Dear Abby” of decluttering, and realized people wanted (and needed!) a how-to guide on the topic. I’ve been giving this advice to friends and family for years, and it feels wonderful to share it with a wider audience. The book is very upbeat and supportive; I wanted my readers to have fun with their decluttering, and feel like I’m right beside them, helping and encouraging them, each step of the way. When we overconsume, we’re like bulls running through a china shop – trampling the Earth’s resources, and leaving waste and destruction in our wake. When we live minimally, on the other hand, we’re like

Walking Woman by Rodion Kutsaev

butterflies: we flit through life with little baggage, and live lightly and gracefully on the Earth. We preserve our planet’s resources, as if we alighted momentarily and barely touched them. I think it’s a beautiful way to live. To me, minimalism means finding the point of “just enough” – where you own the right amount of stuff to meet your needs and make you happy, but nothing extraneous. It’s also about choosing experiences over stuff. I think that happiness comes from what we do, not what we have – and the less stuff we have cluttering our lives, the more time, space, and energy we have to do things. Therefore, I truly believe that having less stuff can make us happier people. I became interested in minimalist living by traveling lightly. I realized how wonderful it was to travel with a small carry-on bag, with only the essentials, instead of lugging around a heavy suitcase. When I was on vacation, I found – I felt like I could go anywhere, and do anything, because I wasn’t loaded down with stuff. And I thought, wow, if it feels this great to travel lightly, how amazing would it be to live this way? I slowly decluttered for many years, until I was presented with a fabulous opportunity for a clean slate: last year, my husband and I sold our house, and almost all our possessions, and moved to

everyone else has one. Think about which pieces are necessary for your lifestyle, and which ones you could just as well do without. Second, think versatility. In a small space, items that can do double (or triple) duty are worth their weight in gold. Whether it’s a table, a kitchen gadget, or a handbag, choose multi-functional items over single-task ones – the more needs an object fulfills, the better! Third, embrace technology. The fact that we can reduce so many things (CDs, DVDs, books, paperwork) to intangible bits and bytes makes it a wonderful time to be a minimalist. Scanning your documents, and purchasing music, movies, and books in digital form, can free up a significant amount of space. I advocate storing like items in “modules” (which I explain in great detail in my book). The idea is to devote a single container to a particular hobby, task, or category – like scrapbooking or office supplies, for example – and limit the contents to what fits. In other words, when a particular module is full, you’ll have to use up (or get rid of) some of your old stuff before purchasing more. If you’re short on storage space, look high (like above wardrobes) and low (like under beds) for storage opportunities. One trick I used was to make my storage containers blend in with their surroundings: I have white walls, and a white wardrobe, so the white nylon storage cube on top of my wardrobe seems to “disappear.” It’s a great way to keep craft supplies (and other items) from multiplying and taking over the house. If you’re short on storage space, look high (like above wardrobes) and low (like under beds) for storage opportunities. One trick I used was to make my storage containers blend in with their surroundings: I have white walls, and a white wardrobe, so the white nylon storage cube on top of my wardrobe seems to “disappear.”

the UK with one duffel bag each. Instead of “setting up home” over here, we’ve acquired things only as we needed them; it’s been a great experiment in discovering what’s necessary, and what we can live without.

Of course, as a minimalist, I think the best way to address storage needs is to reduce the amount of stuff you need to store. Purge, purge, and purge some more before you put anything in pretty containers; otherwise, you’re just organizing your clutter Your blog is very thoughtful and I think everyone should head over and take a look at your content. Which of your posts should folks read first? Thanks so much! I’d recommend starting with the following three: My Minimalist Story, Part 2: The Great Unraveling explains how my husband and I narrowed down our possessions to one bag each before moving overseas.

Sure! First, acquire only the furniture that you truly need. Don’t buy a nightstand, a dining table, or a couch just because

400 Square Feet is the New Black is a peek at our new tiny apartment, and a good introduction to how we’re living now.

The Minsumer Movement: A Quiet Revolution is one of my all-time favorite posts. It’s a manifesto on how buying less, and living lightly, can make us pioneers of social and economic change. Everyone has unique skills; skills that I call superpowers. What is your superpower? Fun question! I think my superpower is adaptability. I love change, and adjusting to new circumstances on the fly. I think that’s why I enjoy travel (and moving) so much! I’ve always wanted to be like a Bond girl – not the ditzy ones, but the nuclear-physicist-by-day-karate-black-beltby-night ones. They always adapt to any circumstance – outrunning assassins on skis, trekking across a desert, or scuba diving in shark-infested waters – without so much as a hair out of place. I’m not quite there yet, but I’m working on it.

guides

WHAT YOU

need WHAT YOU

don’t

by Tammy Akana

inimalism is more than just a pleasing aesLiving with less creates time thetic. It is a way of life, one that yields exand space to discover what really traordinary benefits for mental and emotional health. First and foremost, since the large matters. Through decluttering, and majority of our perception is rooted in sight, that which focusing on the best things instead we consistently and repeatedly show ourselves develops and conditions us to a particular mindset (and therefore, of all the things, you can create a emotional state). Simply: The less we’re surrounded by clutter and mess, the less stressed we’re going to be. life with more savings and less no But more importantly, it’s a psychological stance debt, more health and less stress, against the ever-powerful consumerist culture. It is not about living uncomfortably just to say you live more space and less stuff, and with less; rather, it’s about being grounded and gratemore joy with less obligation. ful, not wanting nor wasting. It breaks the cycle of the need for more, more, more. First and foremost, since the large majority of our perception is rooted in sight, that which we consistently and repeatedly show ourselves develops and conditions us to a particular mindset (and therefore, emotional state).

Some people will suggest investing in a “staple” wardrobe — a collection of classic, wellmade pieces that can be mixed and matched to look effortlessly on brand for any given occasion. Simplify your wardrobe by sticking with the modern-day necessities. But the point is not to live a utilitarian life, it’s about getting down to some genuine roots. It’s about getting rid of the things you keep only to fit someone else’s mold, and letting yourself be happy with the few pieces that represent who you truly are.

This suggestion is going to get some flak, as the idea of building a personal library is as regal as it is charming. But unless you were so moved by a book that you want to reference it or read it again and again, let it go. A book that would have otherwise remained on a shelf for the rest of your life could be a life-changing story or message someone who couldn’t afford to actually purchase it never would have received, had you not donated it. Keep the books that truly changed you; that shifted your mindset or helped you through a trying time. Keep the books you have from your childhood, if you have any left. Keep the books you’d want to give to your own children to instruct them on life or just to have them read one of your favorite stories. Those are worth the extra baggage.

BOOKS

CLOTHING 1.

In the age of Pinterest boards and aspirational Instagram accounts, it’s difficult not to justify yet another mirror plate of succulent plants. However, when it comes to decor, minimalism doesn’t require that you have barren walls and empty coffee tables. It does, however, encourage that anything that doesn’t have meaning go. If you’re going to hang something on your wall, make it something that moves you, that means something, that represents something to you. If you’re going to keep something on your table, make it a gift from someone you love, or just an item that truly lifts your spirit when you see it. It doesn’t necessarily have to be sentimental, but it does have to invoke a positive feeling. Anything else is just a waste.

DECOR 3.

FURNITURE AND UTILITIES 4.

photo by Rodion Kutsaev

simit

MORE L SS be

by COURTNEY CARVER

how living with less can lead to so much more? Give yourself all the space, time and love to rememcer who you are. Illustration by Tuna Dunn

simit

WHAT IS MINIMALISM ?

am often asked the question, “So what is minimalism anyway?” It is a question that is received from all different angles – from people I have just met and from people I have known for many years. I typically answer with a short, simple explanation: “I am intentionally trying to live with only the things I really need.” But I always desire to answer more in-depth. I always hope they will ask follow-up questions that allow me to explain the lifestyle further. And when they do, I like to add:

MINIMALISM IS INTENTIONALITY.

It is marked by clarity, purpose, and intentionality. At its core, minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of everything that distracts us from it. It is a life that forces intentionality. And as a result, it forces improvements in almost all aspects of your life. Modern culture has bought into the lie that the good life is found in accumulating things—in possessing as much as possible. They believe that more is better and have inadvertently subscribed to the idea that happiness can be purchased at a department store. But they are wrong. Minimalism brings freedom from the all-consuming passion to possess. It steps off the treadmill of home. When the stuff is gone and the bills of the home are lessened, it becomes possible to focus time and energy on the important things such as the people around you and the things your home. When the stuff is gone and the bills of the home are lessened, it becomes possible to focus time and energy on the important things such as the people around you and the things you consumerism and dares to seek happiness elsewhere. It values relationships, experiences, and soul-care. And in doing so, it finds life. MINIMALISM IS FREEDOM FROM THE PASSION TO POSSESS. Our world lives at a feverish pace. We are too hurried, too rushed, and too stressed. We work long, passionate hours to pay the bills, but fall deeper into debt. We rush from one activity to another— even multitasking along the way—but never seem to get everything done. We remain in constant connection with others through our cell phones, but true

life-changing relationships continue to elude us. Minimalism slows down life and frees us from this modern hysteria to live faster. It finds freedom to disengage. It seeks to keep only the essentials. It seeks to remove the frivolous and keep the significant. And in doing so, it values the intentional endeavors that add value to life. MINIMALISM IS FREEDOM FROM DUPLICITY. Although nobody intentionally chooses it, most people live in duplicity. They live one life around their family, one life around their co-workers, and another life around their neighbors. The lifestyle they have chosen requires them to portray a certain external image dependent upon their circumstances. They are tossed and turned by the most recent advertising campaign or the demands of their employer. On the other hand, a simple life is united and consistent. It has learned a lifestyle that is completely transferable no matter the situation. It is the same life on Friday evening as it is on Sunday morning… as it is on Monday morning. It is reliable, dependable and unfluctuating. It works in all circumstances. We live in a world that idolizes celebrities. They are photographed for magazines, interviewed on the radio, and recorded for television. Their lives are held up as the golden standard and are envied by many. People who live minimalist lives are not championed by the media in the same way. They don‘t fit into the consumerist culture that is promoted by corporations and politicians. Yet, they live a life that is attractive and inviting. While most people are chasing after success, glamour, and fame, minimalism calls out to us with a smaller, quieter, calmer voice. It invites us to slow

down, consume less, but enjoy more. And when we meet someone living a simplified life, we often recognize that we have been chasing after the wrong things all along.

MINIMALISM IS NOT EXTERNAL, BUT INTERNAL.

In our first book, Simplify, we outline 7 guiding principles to help anyone declutter their home and life. The principles outlined in the book have helped thousands find freedom by removing much of the physical clutter in their home. The book concentrates almost exclusively on the externals of life. And while it helps people find freedom from external clutter, it does not take the next step of helping people find freedom and unity in their heart and soul. I have learned minimalism is always a matter of the heart. After the external clutter has been removed, minimalism has the space to address the deepest heart issues that impact our relationships and life. MINIMALISM IS COMPLETELY ACHIEVABLE.

A minimalist life is completely achievable. My family stands as living proof. We were just your typical family of four living in the suburbs accumulating as much stuff as our income and credit cards would allow. Then, we found minimalism. We have embraced an intentional lifestyle of living with less and will never go back to the way life was before. And we stand as living proof that minimalism is completely achievable (and unique) to anyone who seeks it. Typically, I find that those who are generally interested in knowing â&#x20AC;&#x153;what minimalism is anywayâ&#x20AC;? and take the time to home. When the stuff is gone and the bills of the home are lessened, it becomes possible to focus time and energy on the important things such as the people around you and the things you ask the follow-up questions are drawn to the principles of the lifestyle. After all, it offers almost everything our heart has been asking for all along.

WHY MINIMALISM ?

HAVE MORE TIME, MORE ENERGY.

When you need less money, you do not have to work as much. That frees up time. You are also not going to spend as much time dealing with all of the extra things in your life. You can focus your time on the things you need and use the extra time that is created on the things you enjoy. Without all of the clutter, all of the energy that is spent dealing with it will be available for other activities. People without the burden of a materialistic lifestyle are healthier and stronger as a result. When you start to get rid of things from the drawers, closets and attics, you are going to be opening up more space in your home. There will be more room to move around. More importantly, you will be letting go of things you were holding onto. This will give freedom and will make it easier for you to breathe without the burdens of the past weighing you down.

ALLOWS FOR REFOCUSING.

When you have a lot of material things, your focus can be all over the place. You worry about working enough to pay for all of the stuff and you spend your time trying to look for or put away all of the stuff in your home. When the stuff is gone and the bills of the home are lessened, it becomes possible to focus time and energy on the important things such as the people around you and the things you are doing. As you get rid of stuff and luxuries in the home, other things are opened up. The money spent buying stuff, maintaining stuff and making sure you have the best stuff will end up in the pocket instead of in the store. When you have fewer things you can use your money to pay off debt and that will eventually free up even more money. The dependency on money in a minimalist lifestyle is much lower.

simit

THE RULE OF 14

t is marked by clarity, purpose, and intentionality. At its core, minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of everything that distracts us from it. It is a life that forces intentionality. And as a result, it forces improvements in almost all aspects of your life. Modern culture has bought into the lie that the good life is found in accumulating things—in possessing as much as possible. They believe that more is better and have inadvertently subscribed to the idea that happiness can be purchased at a department store. But they are wrong. Minimalism brings freedom from the all-consuming passion to possess. It steps off the treadmill of consumerism and dares to seek happiness elsewhere. It values relationships, experiences, and soul-care. And in doing so, it finds life.

WORK WEAR Our world lives at a feverish pace. We are too hurried, too rushed, and too stressed. We work long, passionate hours to pay the bills, but fall deeper into debt. We rush from one activity to another—even multitasking along the way—but never seem to get everything done. We remain in constant connection with others through our cell phones, but true life-changing relationships continue to elude us. It is marked by clarity, purpose, and intentionality. At its core, minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of everything that distracts us from it. It is a life that forces intentionality. And as a result, it forces improvements in almost all aspects of your life. Modern culture has bought into the lie that the good life is found in accumulating things—in possessing as much as possible. They

believe that more is better and have inadvertently subscribed to the idea that happiness can be purchased at a department store. But they are wrong. Minimalism brings freedom from the all-consuming passion to possess. It steps off the treadmill of consumerism and dares to seek happiness elsewhere. It values relationships, experiences, and soul-care. And in doing so, it finds life.As you get rid of stuff and luxuries in the home, other things are opened up. The money spent buying stuff, maintaining stuff and making sure you have the best stuff will end up in the pocket instead of in the store. When you have fewer things you can use your money to pay off debt and that will eventually free up even more money. The dependency on money in a minimalist lifestyle is much lower. When you have a lot of material things, your focus can be all over the place. You worry about things you are doing.

GO WEAR Most negative emotions are completely useless. Resentment, bitterness, hate, and jealousy have never improved the quality of life for a single human being. Take responsibility for your mind. Forgive past hurts and replace negative thoughts with positive ones. If debt is holding you captive, reduce it. Start today. Do what you’ve got to do to get out from under its weight. Find the help that you need. Sacrifice luxury today to enjoy freedom tomorrow.Avoid trans fats, refined grain (white bread), high-fructose corn syrup, and too much sodium. Minimizing these ingredients will improve your energy level in the short-term and your health in the long-term. Also, as much as possible, reduce your consumption of over-the-counter medicine – allow your body to heal itself naturally as opposed to building a dependency on substances. Research indicates that multi-tasking increases stress and lowers productivity. While single-tasking is becoming a lost art, learn it. Handle one task at a time. Do it well. And when it is complete, move to the next. CASUAL WEAR Research indicates that multi-tasking increases stress and lowers productivity. While single-tasking is becoming a lost art, learn it. Handle one task at a time. Do it well. And when it is complete, move to the next. Focusing your attention on television, movies, video games, and technology affects your life more than you think. Media rearranges your values. It begins to dominate your life. And it has a profound impact on your attitude and outlook. Unfortunately, when you live in that world on a consistent basis, you don’t even notice how it is impacting you. The only way to fully appreciate its influence in your life is to turn them off. Focusing your attention on television, movies, video games, and technology affects your life more than you think. Media rearranges your values. It begins to dominate your life. And it has a profound impact on your attitude and outlook. Unfortunately, when you live in that world on a consistent basis, you don’t even notice how it is impacting you. The only way to fully appreciate its influence in your life is to turn them off. SEMI CASUAL WEAR Focusing your attention on television, movies, video games, and technology affects your life more than you think. Media rearranges your values. It begins to dominate your life. And it has a profound impact on your attitude and outlook. Unfortunately, when you live in that world on a consistent basis, you don’t even notice how it is impacting you. The only way to fully appreciate its influence in your life is to turn them off. Unfortunately, when you live in that world on a consistent basis, you don’t even notice how it is impacting you.

BECOME

A MINIMALIST

Most of us have filled our days full from beginning to end with time commitments: work, home, kid’s activities, community events, religious endeavors, hobbies… the list goes on. When possible, release yourself from the time commitments that are not in line with your greatest values.Reduce the number of goals you are intentionally striving for in your life to one or two. By reducing the number of goals that you are striving to accomplish, you will improve your focus and your success rate. Make a list of the things that you want to accomplish in your life and choose the two most important. When you finish one, add another from your list. Minimizing these ingredients will improve your energy level in the short-term and your health in the long-term. Also, as much as possible, reduce your consumption of over-the-counter medicine – allow your body to heal itself naturally as opposed to building a dependency on substances. Research indicates that multi-tasking increases stress and lowers productivity. While single-tasking is becoming a lost art, learn it. Handle one task at a time. Do it well. And when it is complete, move to the next. Focusing your attention on television, movies, video games, and technology affects your life more than you think. Media rearranges your values. It begins to dominate your life. And it has a profound impact on your attitude and outlook. Unfortunately, when you live in that world on a consistent basis, you don’t even notice how it is impacting you. The only way to fully appreciate its influence in your life is to turn them off. Unfortunately, when you live in that world on a consistent basis, you don’t even notice how it is impacting you. The only way to fully appreciate its influence in your life is to turn them off. Research indicates that multi-tasking increases stress and lowers productivity. While single-tasking is becoming a lost art, learn it. Handle one task at a time. Do it well. And when it is complete, move to the next. Focusing your attention on television, movies, video games, and technology affects your life more than you think.