20 Questions Minimalist Style: Patty – from Chaos to Simplicity

It’s time for another 20 Questions Minimalist Style! We all have our reasons to transition into a minimalist lifestyle, and so far, I have been impressed with how diverse each participant’s story has been. Today, Patty is sharing her story with us. She definitely has a different take on why she lives a more simple life, and I say more simple for a reason!

20 Questions Minimalist Style: Patty

1. Tell me about yourself. Who are you? What do you do?

My name is Patty. I am a 41-year-old mom of 4 children, ages 23, 22, 19, and 9. I have two grandchildren and 1 on the way (due in August).

I’m a SAHM who used to run with the corporate rat race and decided “enough was enough” when I began to have anxiety, depression, and agoraphobia issues. I also help take care of my 79-year-old mother with Alzheimer’s.

2. Patty, what are you passionate about?

I am passionate about rescuing animals. Mainly cats and dogs.

3. What was your life like before you became a minimalist?

Chaotic would be the nicest way of explaining my life before minimalism. I hit the floor running each morning and didn’t get to rest until my head hit the pillow that night.

4. How did you discover minimalism?

Discovering minimalism was an accident for me. I was searching for self-help books on anxiety and ran across a book on simplifying your life. I’ve been in love with the concept ever since!

5. Did you start shifting your life towards a minimalist lifestyle immediately, or was there hesitation?

I barely finished the book, which was a quick and easy read. I wanted to get started immediately, and think I was purging while walking around reading the book.

6. How did you begin the transition to a minimalist lifestyle?

I started with getting rid of things around the house, learning that more was NOT better. The “mind shift” took place as the decluttering happened.

7. What does being a minimalist mean to you?

Minimalism is peace, joy, and serenity. It’s about learning who you really are and what you want out of your life. It seriously was a lifesaver for me, a way of thinking, a way of living.

8. Where are you currently with your minimalist journey?

I look at minimalism like the stages of a diet. First, you lose the weight (purge), then you maintain it, and every so often, you go back, reassess, and make adjustments.

I’m in maintenance right now. I’m content with where I’m at, but minimalism will be a lifelong journey for me. And always looking for ways to grow and improve.

9. Where do you hope to be in the next 6 months with your journey?

I hope to have hubby more on board with his own things. He’s great about supporting me, but he’s been a little hard-headed when it comes to his own personal items.

10. How has minimalism changed your life, Patty?

Minimalism has brought joy and acceptance to my life. It has changed who I am. Not to someone I’m not, but brought me back to the real me, begging to be acknowledged.

11. What things have you changed in your life since becoming a minimalist? Examples: becoming a vegetarian, less waste, using no plastic, etc.

I’m currently working on getting rid of all the plastic and clean eating.  My husband and I bought a 1,500-square-foot home on 10 acres, and we’ve minimized our finances and only have 4 bills each month.

Of course, the clutter was the first to go, but the minimal way of life has touched every category of my life.

12. What is the biggest obstacle you have faced? How did you overcome it?

My biggest obstacle was me. I grew up in a very wealthy neighborhood, went to a great school, and had big ideas about what life was supposed to be like.

My thought was that success was measured by the size and amount of things you had.

I had to learn to accept myself for who and what I was. I was desperately trying to impress other people, but I wasn’t being true to myself.

I’m the one who has to be happy with my life, not the neighbor or the kid I graduated from school with. It was time to make me happy.

13. Explain your current wardrobe. Are you following a specific capsule wardrobe project? If not, what guidelines do you use [if any]? What color palette would we see? How many items do you have in your wardrobe?

My wardrobe is pretty simple. I’m a SAHM, so that definitely helps. I have 40 items hanging in my closet for all seasons, and I live in Michigan.

I mostly stick to blacks, greys, and browns, but I do have some orange, pink, blue, and green items (usually in the form of a tank top or t-shirt).

It’s just what works for me. I don’t follow any special guidelines or projects, But I do follow the one-in/one-out rule with clothing.

I have 4 pairs of shoes, including boots, and I’ve learned to mostly go without makeup, except for special occasions. Even then, my makeup bag only consists of 4 items.

This has been a big improvement for me as I would take hours to get ready each morning and wouldn’t even check the mail without properly styled hair and a full face of makeup.

Take the 5-Day Closet Declutter Challenge now for free!

14. Who is/are your favorite Minimalist Blogger(s)?

I love your blog! [Awe shucks!] But I don’t get caught up in one certain thing. If I run across something I want to read, I read it, and I don’t contemplate the next article to come out for any certain blog.

I try to stay away from mental clutter.

15. What is/are your favorite book(s) on Minimalism?

I would still have to say “Simplify Your Life” by Elaine St. James. This is the first book I stumbled upon that led me on this path. It was a quick and easy read. It was published in the 90’s, way before minimalism was popular or really even had a name.

Some of the newer books are hard for me to get into.  I can’t understand why you took the time to turn your hangers backward in order to turn them straight again after wearing an item.

Why not just leave them straight in the first place and turn them backward after wear? I like cutting out steps if it’s something that can be avoided.

16. What is your favorite part of your day?

I love evenings when everything is done for the day when I can think back over the day and smile.

17. What is the last thing you let go of?

A dress I bought for my daughter’s wedding. That was a little hard.

18. What is one thing you wish you could let go of but haven’t yet?

My wedding gown. It’s the last major thing my dad bought me before passing away 3 years later.

19. What is the number one benefit you have received due to becoming a minimalist?

My health. I got my life back. There was a time when I thought I would never be the same again while battling depression.

20. Patty, if you could give advice to someone who wants to start their minimalist journey, what would you say?

I would say go! and don’t stop! but remember to make this about you. Each of us differs in our needs, and if living with 100 belongings or 33 clothing items doesn’t work for you, tailor the rules to YOUR needs. This is a journey that won’t begin until you start, but taking a step, no matter how big or small, will be life-changing.

Final thoughts about my interview with Patty

I really enjoyed all that Patty shared! She’s proof that anyone can enjoy a simpler lifestyle. If you have any questions or comments for Patty, please leave them below in the comments!

If you enjoyed this post, be sure to check out the full series!