About

Welcome to the Minimal-ish Parent, where we embrace a less-is-more approach to parenting. I’m Olivia, a parent of two, and I started this blog to provide connection and support to other parents who want to live with less stuff and more time, energy, and fun.

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My minimalist journey

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In my twenties, I traveled and moved constantly. I visited lots of states and countries, and have lived at 18 different addresses since high school! With each move, I wanted to keep less and less stuff. I noticed that it felt amazing to regularly clean out the things that I no longer needed or loved.

 

For me, having fewer things freed up more time and energy that allowed me to travel and adapt to new life stages. It helped me feel flexible and free. 

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As my own family grows, minimalism looks different - babies and kiddos need things! - but the principle is the same: what does our family need and love, and what can we live without, in order to feel more flexible and free?

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What is minimalism? 

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“Minimalism” involves living with spareness and simplicity. As a lifestyle, it can get a bad reputation. For example, you might picture “minimalists” living in an empty white room and eating plain rice - or, conversely, living in a very expensive tiny home with designer Scandinavian furniture (all beige, of course).

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To me, “minimalism” means having the things I need and love, without the things that weigh me down.

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I believe minimalism looks different for everyone. It is all about deciding what we need and want in our lives, and doing the mental and emotional work to let other things go.

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Why minimal-ISH? 

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In my opinion, parenting is no place for perfectionism! We believe “minimal-ISH” living is a great target for anyone reading this blog. Our families and our lives our constantly evolving, as is our understanding of what we need. This blog is here to support you in defining the minimal-ish life that’s best for you, right now.