How I Got Here

My path to minimalism didn’t start with Marie Kondo’s Netflix series (though seriously, how good is it?) or my desire for a perfectly curated capsule wardrobe. It started as a coping mechanism.

In 2016, shortly after having our first kiddo, I returned to my dream job as a lead dietitian at a popular health startup in San Francisco. It was my first experience juggling both a career and a baby—and frankly, I felt like I was failing at both.

The month everything changed

In July that year, my father lost his battle with cancer. Two weeks later, our 9-month-old son came down with pneumonia while on a family trip in Ireland and was rushed to the hospital in respiratory distress. One week and many IVs, x-rays, and breathing treatments later, we were on our way home, but the stress of that month and the nine prior made me rethink everything— especially why I was hustling so hard.

One month later, I traded my full-time job for more flexible freelance work, and we left San Francisco for more room to breathe in beautiful Bend, Oregon.

We spent 2017 settling into our new town, growing my freelance business, and our family. Our sweet daughter, Inès, arrived that October, exactly one year after our move.

Life was good. Chaotic (because, hello—a newborn and an almost two-year-old!), but truly good. We didn’t miss the busy city life nearly as much as we thought we would.

When survival mode became our new normal

I say I found minimalism, but really, minimalism found me.

It’s shown me that having less actually gives me more. More ease in getting dressed every morning. More mental and physical energy for our family. More open space to enjoy at home. More content and creative kiddos. Even more joy and presence in parenting.