#BLKMINCHAT: February Recap
#BLKMINCHAT: FEBRUARY RECAP
To continue the process of building the black minimalist community, Maggi of Clueless Curl and I, decided to host our first Twitter chat using the hashtag #blkminchat to get to know black minimalists around the web and on Twitter.
If you haven't done so already, please follow us @blkminimalists to keep up with the latest happenings in the community and join our future chats.
Join us for our first twitter chat, 2/4 @ 7p. @CluelessCurl + @YolandaVAcree moderating. Get to know us. #blkminchatpic.twitter.com/Mg1VB06J7n
— Black Minimalists (@blkminimalists) January 26, 2016
Below is a recap of the twitter chat that occurred on February 4, 2016. Q refers to questions and A refers to answers.
Question #1: Introduce yourself and your blog.
#blkminchat#BlackMinimalists@YolandaVAcree@CluelessCurlpic.twitter.com/2IQJRl1b7J
— Black Minimalists (@blkminimalists) February 4, 2016
#blkminchat hello, Maggi here & I blog at https://t.co/prL2Djz3gqhttps://t.co/B4Zp7r9e20
— CluelessCurl (@CluelessCurl) February 5, 2016
@blkminimalists@YolandaVAcree@CluelessCurl I am Amber @amberpjoyner New minimalist. Currently developing own blog. #blkminchat
— Amber Posey Joyner (@amberpjoyner) February 5, 2016
@blkminimalists@amberpjoyner hello! I'm Monique and I vlog about green beauty, #brownskingreenbeauty, #BlackMinimalists
— BrownSkinGreenBeauty (@brnskngrnbeauty) February 5, 2016
@blkminimalists@YolandaVAcree@CluelessCurl A4 I'm constantly adjusting bc of the size of our family #blkminchat#blackminimalists
— Kelvin Belfon (@KelvinBelfon) February 5, 2016
Question #2: What drew you to minimalism?
#blkminchat#blakminimalists@CluelessCurl@YolandaVAcreepic.twitter.com/8h8pODxLUl
— Black Minimalists (@blkminimalists) February 5, 2016
@blkminimalists#blkminchat A2: I felt stuck in my life and started eliminating stuff to find my purpose.
— Yolanda V Acree (@YolandaVAcree) February 5, 2016
@blkminimalists@CluelessCurl@YolandaVAcree A2 complicated relationships and too much stuff #blkminchat#blakminimalists
— Kelvin Belfon (@KelvinBelfon) February 5, 2016
A2: mental and physical health. Need to keep things simple. #blkminchat, #BlakMinimalistshttps://t.co/GBojYrmVYg
— BrownSkinGreenBeauty (@brnskngrnbeauty) February 5, 2016
#blkminchat It's the lifestyle that requires shifts & changes in all areas of my life, which allows for true freedom https://t.co/txwX7XiPAp
— Amber Posey Joyner (@amberpjoyner) February 5, 2016
Question #3: What steps did you take to start your journey?
#blkminchat#blackminimalists@CluelessCurl@YolandaVAcreepic.twitter.com/ZxD7k7RpFv
— Black Minimalists (@blkminimalists) February 5, 2016
@blkminimalists@CluelessCurl@YolandaVAcree I studied and eliminated one ingredient at a time. #blkminimalists#blackminimalists
— BrownSkinGreenBeauty (@brnskngrnbeauty) February 5, 2016
#blkminchat#blackminimalist I researched looked at what I had, didn't need/want and got rid/donated them https://t.co/S6JiEmJreX
— CluelessCurl (@CluelessCurl) February 5, 2016
@blkminimalists@amberpjoyner What are the options your researching? @CluelessCurl Just curious? #blkminchathttps://t.co/gT6ePex2Uw
— JACQS ORGANICS (@JacqsOrganics) February 5, 2016
Question #4: What is your greatest challenge right now?
#blkminchat#blackminimalistspic.twitter.com/MVaRhZSCpI
— Black Minimalists (@blkminimalists) February 5, 2016
#blkminchat A4: Fear of not being consistent with it or laziness setting in. I can let inconvenience stop me too https://t.co/tSZc2ovjx5
— Amber Posey Joyner (@amberpjoyner) February 5, 2016
A4: Over doing it with the clothes shopping. I'm not over the top but can feel myself getting there. https://t.co/9Py9mcoCsN
— BrownSkinGreenBeauty (@brnskngrnbeauty) February 5, 2016
@blkminimalists@YolandaVAcree@CluelessCurl A4 I'm constantly adjusting bc of the size of our family #blkminchat#blackminimalists
— Kelvin Belfon (@KelvinBelfon) February 5, 2016
@blkminimalists@KelvinBelfon@YolandaVAcree@CluelessCurl hey :) Do any of you struggle with too much junk mail? Lol
— India Jackson (@iamindiajackson) February 5, 2016
@blkminimalists#blkminchat A4: Making sure the emotional, intellectual, and spiritual areas are being simplified.
— Yolanda V Acree (@YolandaVAcree) February 5, 2016
Question #5: What other BM events would you like to see?
#blkminchat#blackminimalistspic.twitter.com/SQ0IjcDx1R
— Black Minimalists (@blkminimalists) February 5, 2016
#blkminchat A chat with a minimalistic approach to finance, travel, and maybe go to a conference https://t.co/LpxTcnjqGq
— CluelessCurl (@CluelessCurl) February 5, 2016
#blkminchat Have you considered having a podcast or Skype/FaceTime hangout or even a dinner party? #bmcommunityhttps://t.co/grEYhsFCkj
— Amber Posey Joyner (@amberpjoyner) February 5, 2016
And more fun...
Instameet with ambassadors continuing the conversation and spreading the message #blkminchat
— JACQS ORGANICS (@JacqsOrganics) February 5, 2016
@blkminimalists sorry I'm a bit late. Lost track of time at the gym 💪💪 pic.twitter.com/uHd1I5GGCK
— India Jackson (@iamindiajackson) February 5, 2016
We'll see you next time.
Thanks for joining our first #blkminchat. Join us next time with special guest Barbara of @JacqsOrganicspic.twitter.com/dbU5DfoJug
— Black Minimalists (@blkminimalists) February 5, 2016
If you missed the chat, you can read the full conversation here. Mark your calendars for our next chat on minimalist beauty with special guest, Barbara of Jacqs Organics.
One more thing, the chat was awesome! We continued tweeting for another hour after the event was finished. It was a great bonding experience. I know that may sound corny, but the minimalist journey can be very lonely in real life. So, when you find your tribe and connect with them, it's a great feeling.
What topics would you like to discuss in a future #BLKMINCHAT? Let me know in the comments.
Black Minimalists: Pastaveia + Sean
BLACK MINIMALISTS: PASTAVEIA + SEAN
Also known as the Eco-Conscious Minimalists, meet my favorite minimalist couple, Sean and Pastaveia. I found them, where I've found many black minimalists, on YouTube. They have an informative and fun channel together and Pastaveia also vlogs about natural, eco-conscious beauty and wellness on her personal channel, Pastaveia Monique. Keep reading to learn more about their journey to simple living.
When and why did you start your minimalist journey?
Subconsciously we started our minimalist journey when we sold our home in Idaho and moved to California in the fall of 2008 - we were a dual military couple in the Air Force.
We didn’t realize there was a name for the concept of getting rid of things that had been “taking up space”, outside of decluttering and we were not very active on online at that time.
When packing up the house, we noticed boxes that had never been opened from we moved back to the states from the United Kingdom, in more than one closet and there were items with tags on them. In addition, the long list of kitchen gadgets that seemed to never end and it didn’t help that I was a huge Pampered Chef junkie at the time - you get the picture?
However when we moved to San Francisco to LA back to the Bay Area between 2011 and 2012, is when we had a huge wake up call. Moving will do that to anyone, I think. The living space(s) were smaller than our house and there was no time to “accumulate stuff”, because there was literally no room.
Once we sold, gave away, donated and threw away items we noticed we didn’t really need to replace them and only kept things that brought value and had with multiple uses, plus it makes moving so easier.
What lessons have you learned since going minimalist?
A major lesson is that we have more time to spend with each other and friends. We’re not spending the weekend “managing” our stuff ( i.e. cleaning, sorting, organizing on repeat). With that new found time, we spend most of it outdoors, especially since we live a block away from the beach. We were married on a beach and being close to water is very sentimental and calming for us both.
We have more time to connect and create and our blog and youtube channel has been a direct result from that creativity.
What are you goals in living simply?
As we talk about on our blog, we want to be able to show others that you don’t need any special tools or rituals to live simply - it’s really just a choice. We truly believe that regardless of the situation, the decision or choice you make, not ya’ family but you as an individual, will help you live a simple life. In addition we want to be able to teach our children to not fall suit to the overconsumption habits of society and what better way to do than to lead by example. It really is a journey for us because our little tiny humans aren’t even here, yet.
Has minimalism impacted other areas of your life?
Minimalism has impacted the way we consume in general — our food, clothing, healthcare, you name it. We’re more mindful of the “who/what/when/where” and how the product was made and the overall journey of the person you made it. We ask questions such as: Is the item fair trade? Organic? Ethically sourced? Sustainably made? Etc. It’s more than a fad, as some people would think, its a lifestyle and new way of living.
What if any surprises or challenges have you encountered?
The biggest surprise was and is, being perceived as the “Eco-police” by friends and family. We’re not preachy people and don’t hold judgements. We understand that everyone needs to grow and adapt at their own pace. However we’ve had friends and family apologize for not eating organic if they invite us over for a meal. We let them know we aren’t here to judge but enjoy their company and friendship - we’ve learned it has more to do with the story they are telling themselves and nothing to do with us personally.
What mindset changes have you experienced?
Less truly is more. We’ve found that our home feels larger because its not cluttered with stuff. It has given a us room to be creative and share with others via our YouTube, Blog and maybe even a podcast - we’re trying to figure out all the logistics but we’ll keep you posted.
What advice do you have for someone interested in simplifying her life?
This may sound strange but I would suggest reading a good self help book, particularly about awareness. Once you enter the realm of awareness - its no going back. You can not unlearn the connection once introduced - suppress it - yes, unlearn - no.
There are so many out there but find one that speaks to you. I personally am a fan of anything by the astute, Brene Brown and as a current graduate student in Clinical Social Work, I have a great admiration for the work she’s doing in the world. The information that she’s sharing can really be used to any part of your life, to include a minimalism journey, change in food and lifestyle overall.
Where can we learn more about you?
Our blog and please sign up for our newsletter to learn about our journey. Also we’re on YouTube and maybe we’ll be mobile in your ears with a Podcast - who knows.
Anything you would like to add?
Yes, we wanted to publicly thank you, Yolanda, for showing so much love on the subjects and showcasing all the beautiful black minimalists on the inter-webs.
Learn more about Black Minimalists.
Black Minimalists on the Web: Part Two
BLACK MINIMALISTS ON THE WEB: PART TWO
Just in time for #BHM, I'm back with another edition of Black Minimalists on the Web. It makes me happy and excited to find more and more black creatives who are minimalists and share them with you. The community is continuously growing.
Please check out and support the black minimalists below by visiting, subscribing, and encouraging them on their journeys as they inspire you.
Disclaimer: The creatives listed below, may or may not personally identify as minimalist; however, they were chosen because their content speaks to a minimalist lifestyle.
Neosha Gardner
http://createherstock.com; http://www.hasneounique.com/
“Because black girls are more than two thumbs up and a smile.” Self-described “creative minimalist”, Neosha Gardner is the founder of CreateHER Stock, a stock image company catering to black women creatives and owner and designer at HUN Creative, a brand design studio.
http://www.instagram.com/neoshaloves/
Yvonne Wallace
http://itsyvonne.com
“My simple, complicated life.” Meet Yvonne Wallace, life and career coach residing in Washington, DC. Yvonne’s mission is to “help make people wealthy, mentally and physically, from the inside out.” Her blog focuses on adding more simplicity into your life. She has “Minute Monday” features that offer simple life and biz tips along with other great resources.
When making a decision in your biz/life remember that "Everything comes from nothing." Take time to quiet your mind b4 moving forth!
— Yvonne Wallace (@itsyvonnenicole) December 10, 2015
Nikki Terry
http://OrangeCustard.com ; http://nikkiterry.com
Owner of design studio, Orange Custard and visual artist, Nikki Terry states she was born a minimalist and inspired by her father's style growing up. Native Marylander (woop woop) by way of Baltimore and currently a Brooklyn resident (where Brooklyn at?), Nikki also pursues photography. Nikki’s goal as an artist is to recreate the world how she see’s it and minimalism helps facilitate that process.
Cicely Renee
http://bougieblackblogger.com
"All class with a little sass." Carefree and magical, blogger Cicely is living the simple life and recently moved across the country to Dallas for a fresh start. Her lifestyle blog covers a variety of topics from blogging + business, relationships, food + wine, and of course, her minimalist journey.
Monday Motivation: The Art of Letting Go
Nneka Okono
http://afrosypaella.com
“To travel is to transform.” I found Nneka through an article she wrote on For Harriet about why black women should embrace minimalism. Nneka is a writer, coach, and avid traveler who lived in Spain for nine months (hence the paella). She currently resides in Atlanta and muses about life and traveling on her blog.
Honor what feels right to you. Take great care of yourself. Use your intuition to guide you through it all. I promise you'll be better off.
— Nneka M. Okona (@afrosypaella) February 6, 2016
Anekia Nicole
http://anekianicole.com
"Hippie-spirited. Open diary. Nerd." Anekia opens her diary and shares her life experiences to inspire and encourage you on your journey. I found Anekia via Twitter when she wrote about rethinking christmas and the focus on materialism.
Why Set Resolutions? Living a More Conscionable Lifehttp://twitter.com/anekianicole
What If Your Passion Doesn't Align With Your Career? https://t.co/T9SvOHvsC2 pic.twitter.com/CEf267x7Q1
— Anekia Nicole (@AnekiaNicole) February 2, 2016
Niambi Wilson
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAZ7in3LJ-hi7lumVVxJGRw
“Peace. Love. Beauty. Be Intentional.” Niambi’s YouTube channel is one of my more recent discoveries. She is a polyglot who shares her minimalist journey, travels, beauty and natural hair tips, and relationship experiences. Niambi has lived abroad in Ecuador and the Dominican Republic. Check out her advice videos and vlogs.
Wilsar Johnson
http://www.fitnoir.com/
“Black girl gone healthy.” First off I want to say, I love the name Wilsar and she definitely lives up to her beautiful name. Wilsar's blog is all about helping you live a healthy, happy, and simple lifestyle. Check out her Instagram for more #blackgirlmagic.
https://twitter.com/callmewilsar
Go check these ladies out and don't worry, I'm already working on part three.
Also, if you know of other black minimalists not featured above or in Part One, please share their names in the comments or hit me on social media.
Learn more about Black Minimalists.
photo credit: CreateHer Stock
Wrapping Up 2015: Year in Review
2015 Year in Review
Twenty-fifteen was the year for relaunching this site with a minimalist perspective, finally getting rid of the last pieces of clutter I owned, and building community. I can definitely say that this year has laid the groundwork for a simplified, focused, and expansive 2016.
Earlier in the year, I created Live Simply and Be Free: Declutter Workbook which addressed how to clear physical clutter, mental and emotional clutter, financial clutter, digital clutter, and other key life areas. This was the first book I’ve ever written and it was exciting to release it and receive feedback.
It contains 104 pages of tips, prompts, worksheets, and checklists. I will be updating and repackaging the workbook in the new year, so from now until December 25, you can grab it for only $5 here. It makes a great little gift for a friend or relative who could use some decluttering help before entering 2016.
This year marked a shift in my journey from heavy decluttering and not buying unnecessary stuff to focusing more on a minimalist mindset and well-being. I do believe that minimalism is ultimately a spiritual journey and in 2016, I will expand more on the mental and spiritual aspects of minimalism.
Next year, I will be resuming my coaching with these aspects in the framework. If you’re interested in working with me in the future on simplifying your life goals and developing a minimalist mindset, please sign up here to get more information when coaching sessions are available.
I am honored to have been able to start a conversation amongst black minimalists and begin to draw us together as a community. Representation and acknowledgement matters in any movement and I’m excited to continue this conversation and grow our community in 2016.
For those who are working hard towards the simple + free life, please stay encouraged by these stories and look out for more great content to come. Check out the Black Minimalists interviews so far and part one of Black Minimalists on the Web. I have more interviews waiting to go out and part two of black minimalists on the web coming in the new year.
I was also happy to resume the Creativepreneurs interview series I first began when I started this blog back in 2014. Read the new interviews from the fall and stay tuned for more of this series. I will continue to highlight those women carving out a space for themselves and creating a freedom-based lifestyle on their own terms.
Here are some of the most popular minimalism posts from the past year. These posts include my reflections on my own minimalist journey as well as things for you to consider on your journey.
32 Ways Minimalism Has Impacted My Life
Minimalism, Decluttering, and Simple Living
20 Questions for a Minimalist Mindset
5 Things to Know Before Starting Your Minimalist Journey
Additionally, with the holiday season underway and in preparation for the new year, I wanted to re-share these popular posts to help your transition, clear out the old, and prepare for the new.
No Scissors Required: 3 Easy Ways to Create a Digital Vision Board
Finally, two more things I’m very excited about. I will be updating the site over the next few weeks, so as of December 26th, the site will be under construction. I will be hosting my first live online event Monday, December 28th, at 8pm EST.
This will be a live hangout via YouTube so mark you calendars (a reminder email will be sent). I will be answering questions and comments I’ve received over the year, as well as any posted during the live event. I will also be chatting about my plans for 2016 as well as tips for setting goals and intentions for a new year. It’s BYOW, Bring Your Own Wine. Please hit reply on this email with any questions or topics you’d like me to address during the hangout and I’ll see you there.
Thank you for your support and a wonderful year of growth.
How did your year go?
11 Ways to Give More
11 free ways to give more this holiday season.
The season of giving is upon us. As a minimalist, I'm not so concerned with shopping for or receiving gifts as I am with enjoying the opportunity to spend time with people I care about, reflect on the past year, and prepare for the new year. Instead of racking your brain to figure out what you will buy everyone to show your appreciation, why not consider these alternative ways to bless those around you.
Listen (before speaking).
Give the people you care about the opportunity to share their wins, challenges, and struggles. You don’t know what they’ve been holding on to inside. Give them a safe and open space to let it all out.
Call.
Pick up the phone and let someone know you miss them. Let them hear your voice and listen to theirs. Sometimes we don’t know how much we’ve missed a person until we hear them speaking on the other end.
Send a card or letter.
If you don’t like talking on the phone (me!), take the time to write your thoughts out in a letter or card. People don’t send snail mail anymore. We send emails, text, or talk on social media, but I always love getting something in the mail from a friend. I don’t know about you, but when I check the mail and see something that is not a bill or junk mail, I get excited. Brighten someone’s day with a handwritten letter or card.
Spend time and not just money.
Our time is the most valuable thing we have to give because we cannot get it back after it’s gone. Instead of buying a gift, show someone you care by making time to visit. And if you want to buy a gift also, bring something you can share like a bottle of wine or a meal.
More support, less advice.
Simply be there for the person. They may not need or want your advice. They may just want to know that someone supports them and is in their corner.
Listen (more than you speak).
You’ve probably heard this before. We have two ears and one mouth for a reason. Listen twice as much as you speak. The more you listen, the more informed and understanding you can be when it’s the right time to speak. It’s also the reason why listen appears three times on this list.
Treat each relationship as unique.
In our relationships, we all have different needs and wants. Tailor each encounter to that specific person and the nature of your personal relationship. You may have one friend who is a homebody, another that likes to go out, or maybe a friend that is into DIYs and crafts. Focus on having a unique experience with each person.
Mind your business.
We can reduce and eliminate the drama that surfaces in some relationships by simply keeping our thoughts to ourselves in most cases. Everyone has an opinion, but it doesn’t mean you need to share it. We want to be there for the people in our lives, but don’t find yourself in something that has nothing to do with you.
Say yes.
We’re busy. We don’t have time. We don’t feel like it. There are a million reasons why we could say no, but try to say yes to more things that are good for your relationships with others. Put on your ugly sweater and go to that party.
Know love languages.
This goes along with treating each relationship as unique. Know how the people that matter, receive love. Do you they love affirmations, gifts, quality time, acts of service, or physical touch. Maybe someone needs a hug or could appreciate you running an errand for them. There are many ways to show love and it’s nice to be aware of what others need to feel loved.
Listen (to what’s not being said).
We don’t always say everything that’s on our minds. It can be a good thing or we could be too proud, overwhelmed, or afraid to say what we really need. Be aware of other cues such as how things are said, body language, and other ways people communicate without words. We are not mind readers, but all humans have a natural ability to sense when there’s more to a story. After listening, you may need to ask some pointed questions to get to the heart of the matter.