This time last year, I had the honor to be featured on my friend Amanda Tello’s blog, Mama of Intention, sharing my experience of minimalist living. I first met Amanda when she took our Black & Minimalist course in 2018, facilitated by BM team member Kenya and myself. I then learned our bday’s are 2 days apart! Amanda is a fierce and fearless mujer, mother, activist, and minimalist and I’m glad to call her a friend. Follow her on Instagram to learn more about her life and work and check out an excerpt from my interview below.

I was lucky enough to connect with Yolanda Acree through Black Minimalists after taking their mini course (which by the way I highly suggest). As I’ve stated before I had a very negative perception of “minimalism,” of the white-washed and even privilege that many minimalists held yet did not recognize.

Connecting with a community of woc to talk about minimalism in a way that included the context of race, gender, and social economic inequalities was vital. How does being a brown indigenous woman in this world impact what minimalism is and means to me? Questions that I could finally discuss which then led me to see that minimalism could in fact align with my values.

Because this season of my life has been so important I could not think of anyone better to interview than Yolanda. So as y’all ease your way into your work day and back into the week do so by reading what Yolanda Acree has to say about minimalism.

How do you define minimalism?

Minimalism is freedom. It is living with less to include, but is not limited to, things, thoughts, behaviors, and any other shit that doesn’t serve me. It’s about living my best life as defined by and aligned with my values.

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What are the biggest challenges about living simply?

The constant interrogation. Once you know better, you have to do better (mostly). Your conscious won’t let you get away with a lot of shit you used to do. Many purchases and decisions are painstakingly made. Social media will have you wondering what the fuck you’re doing and suffering from FOMO at times. I’m a strong person, but I’m not immune to these challenges and insecurities.

What lessons have you learned from living simply?

This is a spiritual journey and it’s not for the faint of heart. Living simply takes guts and conviction, but ultimately, the point is to evolve, get free, and free others. Black Minimalists™ was created for the liberation of our community.

Read the full interview here: https://mamaofintention.com/2018/09/17/minimalism-with-yolanda-acree/