Today Kyle and I are welcoming our second New Minimalism baby into the world—the New Minimalism Journal!
We’re immensely proud and incredibly grateful to you, our NM community, for supporting us and our work and helping us earn the tremendous privilege of bringing another book into the world.
While today is the Journal’s official birthday, it’s actually been several months since we handed in our final edits on our manuscript, since we approved layouts and covers and design elements. Book making is a lot like baby making in that way: a whole lot of excitement and then a whole lot of waiting.
In fact, in the time between turning in the final draft to our publisher and this book making its way into the world, my second (human) baby was also born. (See evidence of preciousness below.)
As a mom to two small kiddos, I’ve realized just how much living simply is not a natural tendency of mine, but a choice I have to choose and act on consistently. When time is tight, emotions are high, and sleep is lacking, I return to a default of holding onto things because they are tiny and adorable or useful or expensive or just in case.
When time is tight, emotions are high, and sleep is lacking, I return to a default of holding onto things because they are tiny and adorable or useful or expensive or just in case.
So when our publisher sent me one sneak peak copy of our book in my early, chaotic postpartum days this Fall, I went through the exercises and journal prompts less as the author reviewing her work and more as a new mom hungry for practical, actionable tips.
By the time I finished the exercises in the Journal, I looked at my home, my days, my kids with different eyes.
I worried less about holding onto cute newborn onesies and more about being a calm, energetic presence in my newborn’s life. I felt confident in purging toys, knowing my toddler would vastly prefer me jump on the couch and hug her as we save ourselves from imaginary snakes than have me constantly tidying her play area. I felt liberated to let go of gifts, advice, clothes, and commitments that didn’t serve the way I wanted to feel in my home with my family: present, joyful, unflappable. Which is to say, most of them had to go.
And now? I feel clear headed, light hearted, and ready to be the parent, partner, and person I most want to become.
What might the journal do for you?
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