Minimal-ish

This is not your typical gift guide- this is an episode entirely focused on how to give gifts intentionally- how to use your specific gifts and talents to give good gifts, and how to think about others through the entire gift giving process, including shopping for that gift.  You won't find ideas of dozens of new companies to shop from, but you'll be inspired to think twice about the way you give gifts this season, and how you can put your creativity into the gift giving process in a new way.  My friend Jessalyn is an expert gift giver. She's that person that always gives an intentional gift or writes a thoughtful note when you aren't expecting it but when you most need it. And this episode is full of golden advice for how you can do that for the people you love this season.  What you'll hear: Thoughts on the pressure of "keeping up" with giving gifts to a big long list of people during the holidays.  Different gift giving methods for Christmas morning (and how to walk towards less gifts and less overwh

Today I'm taking you through a step by step process to help you find a way to focus your days on what is actually important to you. Minimalism is about eliminating the stuff and noise in our lives so we can focus on the good stuff- and processes/ routines help us make sure we actually follow through with that. This episode will take you through a process that can help you decide what is important to you and follow through with focusing on those things.  In this episode, I discuss: Deciding what is important to you and creating mission statements Creating a routine or ritual that helps you center your days.  Following through with making a routine a habit.  Incorporating gratitude in your everyday life.  Evaluating what you currently focus on in your everyday life and eliminating the less important stuff.  Things I mentioned/ other places to find the show: Worksheet to go along with the show Free Minimalist Startup Guide Desirae’s Instagram (where the podcast lives on Insta) Pod

Today I'm interviewing Amy of Minimalista Mom and talking about her Zero Waste journey she's taken over the past year with her family! It's incredible how far they have come and the strides they have made, and she gives practical tips on how you can take steps towards minimizing your waste and caring for the environment. In this episode, I/we discuss: The podcast is changing...stay tuned for a bonus episode to see how! What zero waste is / Amy's reason for going zero waste The biggest challenges with going zero waste with a family The practical things that have really made a difference in Amy's zero waste journey Small, easy, and practical ways you can make change and "go zero waste" Things we mentioned/ other places to find us: Free Minimalist Startup Guide Amy's Instagram: @minimalistamom Amy's website/blog: minimalistamom.com Desirae’s Instagram (where the podcast lives on Insta) Podcast Facebook If you’re loving the podcast, it would be amazing if you’d take the time to review our po

Today I'm discussing the concept of enough in the second week of our "heart of minimalism" series. We're getting to the root of what minimalism is all about and talking about how to redefine enough for yourself, not just in your stuff, but in your commitments and life in general, too. In this episode, I discuss: What I'm Learning: Living with the mess... 3 strategies to help you define enough in your life Questions to help you pare down your possessions.  Encouragements about "being" enough Things we mentioned/ other places to find us: Free Minimalist Startup Guide Enough Lists Article Desirae’s Instagram (where the podcast lives on Insta) Podcast Facebook If you’re loving the podcast, it would be amazing if you’d take the time to review our podcast on iTunes! It will help others discover The Minimalist Family Podcast. You can also, always share on social media! Take a snapshot of you listening to the podcast and share it on Facebook, Instagram, or just word of mouth! We’re so thankful if you

In this episode, Desirae discusses a new mini-series, "The heart of minimalism" and starts out by talking about how gratitude practices go hand in hand with minimalism. In this episode, Desirae discusses: How minimalism can steal your joy/ become a burden How practicing gratitude daily is actually proven to make you happier Three ways to practice gratitude in your everyday life How gratitude is related to minimalism, and the intentional living/ mindset part of minimalism Listener Question: Small Kitchen Storage Solutions Things we mentioned/ other places to find us: Free Minimalist Startup Guide Article about Gratitude Another article about gratitude Desirae’s Instagram Podcast Instagram Podcast Facebook If you’re loving the podcast, it would be amazing if you’d take the time to review our podcast on iTunes! It will help others discover The Minimalist Family Podcast. You can also, always share on social media! Take a snapshot of you listening to the podcast and share it o

In this episode, we discuss five reasons minimalism actually is beneficial for kids who live with a family that practices it. We think this is a huge reason to adopt minimalism as a family, and hope this conversation helps you see why we feel this way! In this episode, we discuss: What we're learning: Grocery Shopping on a budget and Rearranging the furniture Five major benefits of minimalism for kids How you can foster creativity in your kids' lives How minimalism can help you raise less entitled/ more appreciative children in today's culture. Listener Question: Home decor tips for minimalists! Things we mentioned/ other places to find us: Free Minimalist Startup Guide Joshua Becker's Article Blog post on why baby toys are mostly unnecessary Desirae’s Instagram Podcast Instagram Podcast Facebook If you’re loving the podcast, it would be amazing if you’d take the time to review our podcast on iTunes! It will help others discover The Minimalist Family Podcast. You can also, always share

In this episode, we discuss: Taking a break from social media Why people are better than things How to start minimalism with kids when it feels impossible Four major benefits of minimalism for families Listener Question: Are there rules for minimalism? Things we mentioned/ other places to find us: Free Minimalist Startup Guide Desirae’s Instagram Podcast Instagram Podcast Facebook If you’re loving the podcast, it would be amazing if you’d take the time to review our podcast on iTunes! It will help others discover The Minimalist Family Podcast. You can also, always share on social media! Take a snapshot of you listening to the podcast and share it on Facebook, Instagram, or just word of mouth! We’re so thankful if you do! If you have any questions about the show, comments, suggestions, or questions we should answer on an upcoming podcast, please email us at hi@theminimalistfamilypodcast.com

On this episode, we're talking from our own experience about throwing birthday parties for kids as minimalists, plus, approaching gift giving and receiving with grace and gratitude, yet making sure your house isn't overrun by stuff in the process.  In this episode, we discuss: Hosting a large-ish party in a small home Tips for throwing birthday parties for kids as a minimalist family Alternatives to birthday parties with kids Gift receiving as minimalists Gift giving as minimalists Things we mentioned/ other places to find us: 5 Love Languages Meal Planning Blog Post Simplified Meal Planning Resource Desirae’s Instagram Podcast Instagram Podcast Facebook If you’re loving the podcast, it would be amazing if you’d take the time to review our podcast on iTunes! It will help others discover The Minimalist Family Podcast. You can also, always share on social media! Take a snapshot of you listening to the podcast and share it on Facebook, Instagram, or just word of mouth! We’re so thankful if

This week we're talking about simplifying in a busy season. We know that the back to school season brings a much busier pace for many families, so we are discussing how you can keep things simple during a season like this.  This doesn't just apply to back to school, but any busy season. Minimalism isn't just about decluttering- it's something you can adapt into your entire life. That includes your schedule, your mindset, and the way you intentionally live out your life.  PS: Sorry about any background noise. We’re not professional podcasters. We’re a couple just wanting to share our heart! Give us some grace, We’re doing our best! In this episode, we discuss: Things we've learned this week 5 Ways to simplify in a busy season including... Learning to say no to things Simplifying Dinnertime Simplifying your work life Taking time for Self Care Pressing pause and putting away your work and your phone Listener Question: What do you do with the question/ thought of "I might need it someday" when declut

We're talking about our journey from living in a four bedroom home to a much, smaller two bedroom one, the struggles, and why ultimately, it's been a great change. We'll also talk about how you can be a minimalist no matter your home size, and how to be content right where you are.  PS: Sorry about any background noise. We’re not professional podcasters. We’re a couple just wanting to share our heart! Give us some grace, We’re doing our best! In this episode, we discuss: Why we bought a four bedroom home Why we then moved to a two bedroom home What living in a smaller home has changed for us Small home living tips You can be a minimalist in a larger home, too. Listener question: What to do with all these books? From a book lover's perspective. How to be content no matter your home size Things we mentioned/ other places to find us: Downsizing blog post Simplified Meal Planning Resource Desirae’s Instagram Podcast Instagram Podcast Facebook If you’re loving the podcast, it would be amazi

So you've decided minimalism is right for you? What's next? Here are some steps you can take! PS: Sorry about any background noise. We're not professional podcasters. We're a couple just wanting to share our heart! Give us some grace :) We're doing our best! In this episode, we discuss: How we started when we first became minimalists Areas we decluttered first The most satisfying areas we decluttered Suggestions for starting out Having a "why" for minimalism Being ruthless with your stuff Listener question: What to do if your spouse isn't on board! Things we mentioned/ other places to find us: Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things Joshua Becker Podcast Instagram Podcast Facebook If you're loving the podcast, it would be amazing if you'd take the time to review our podcast on iTunes! It will help others discover The Minimalist Family Podcast. You can also, always share on social media! Take a snapshot of you listening to the podcast and share it on Facebook, Instagram, or j

In this episode you'll learn about who we are, why we're starting this podcast, our journey to a more minimalistic life, and how it has benefitted our family. PS: Sorry about any background noise. We're not professional podcasters. We're a couple just wanting to share our heart! Give us some grace :) We're doing our best! We want you to know we are far from perfect. We're constantly learning about minimalism ourselves, learning what it looks like to make it most beneficial for our family, and that minimalism can look different for everyone. These are our opinions, and this is our version of realistic minimalism with a family. In this episode, we discuss: Who we are! Why we're starting this podcast How we got started with minimalism Our own definitions of minimalism How minimalism has benefited our family How it has changed us, individually and as a couple/ family What it "feels" like to be a minimalist Things we mentioned/ other places to find us: Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important T