Do you shave your legs?

I have recently discovered the podcast world and I am obsessed. I joined the podcast party a bit late, but I’m addicted to The Minimalists and their series of weekly shows. Their most recent podcast is titled Acquaintances #135, and it’s worth your time to listen.

Ironically, I’ve been struggling with this subject a lot lately. I love my blog and I love learning and growing in the minimal way of life, which means different things to different people. My acquaintances have a hard time understanding how I incorporate this into my life. I was recently in a Target and saw someone I knew; they were appalled that I was there, and proceeded to mock me by saying, “Why is the Minimalist shopping?”. Thank goodness I didn’t say what I was thinking, because I’m working on guarding my words too. Yes, I frequent the self help book section at the Target too.

The most common questions others ask are:

1. Do you live in a tiny house?
2. Is everything in your house black and white?
3. Why is your closet full?
4. Do you shave your legs?
5. Is all your stuff used?
6. Why?

I used to stammer and stutter at these questions and yes #4 has been asked, more than once. I’ve had a hard time explaining to people what this journey means to me and my family. I believe it is a combination of things that have led me to this lifestyle. I am a work in progress that falls off the minimalist wagon quite often, but that doesn’t mean I give up.

The journey I’m on is a combination of wanting to take care of the earth and to respect all that God has blessed me with by not taking anything for granted. I believe that what we’re blessed with on earth during our short time here is to be stewarded in a responsible way. I was not a responsible steward with all that I’d been given and realized that I needed to step back and rethink how I could live in a way that honors God and the earth. I also believe that responsibility is contagious and this lifestyle is important to me, so if I can help someone be a good steward of their time, resources and money then I will do my best to help them.

The more values and beliefs that a group shares, the more fruitful the movement will be!

And the answers to those most common questions are:

1. No I do not live in a tiny house.  I couldn’t!
2. I am a lively  person who lives a colorful house.
3. My closet is full, but not as much as it used to be! Always a work in progress.
4. Yes, 3 out of the 7 days my legs are shaved.
5. I do buy from consignment stores and most of my furniture is re-purposed.
6. I believe that responsible stewardship of our things is honoring God, and that is my “why”.

What’s your why?