Stéphanie Mandrea - Minimal

If you are holding this book in your hands, then you, like us, are probably keen to adopt a simpler way of life, at a slower pace, more in harmony with nature. This is a step in the right direction in the process of change.

Our lifestyle hasnt always been the way it is today. Before we dive into the real meat of this book, wed like to tell you a bit about how we got here. Perhaps our journey will inspire you.

We are two good friends, who met in high school, and who share an interest in natural foods and products. The more we delved into the topic, the more aware we became of all the harmful agents in our cleaning and beauty products. So we decided to start making our own. If we could bake muffins, why not make our own deodorant, our own moisturizer, or our own laundry soap? A whole world opened up to us!

(At this point, you might be wondering about the connection between all of these homemade products and the famous bread bag our company is known for in Quebec. Well get to that shortly )

Bea Johnsons book footprint even further. When we realized how much waste we generated on a daily basis, our decision to do our part really took hold. At first, the goal of zero waste (being able to fit a years worth of garbage into a Mason jar) was scary, because it seemed simply unattainable. However, we began by taking baby steps, and those steps gradually grew bigger.

At that time, reusable items werent readily available, so we had to improvise. Walking to the bakery with a pillowcase in hand to carry the bread, an aha moment occurred: Why not create a bread bag with several uses? If making one small change could inspire other people to shift to sustainable living, then we decided our contribution would be to produce this bag.

We initially started our business for fun, without any serious expectations, but then quickly realized that there were a lot of people like us out there people who aspired to change and were seeking better ecological alternatives to the plastic bag. Starting from one reusable bread bag, Dans le sac became a platform for hints and tips on zero waste and minimalism, bringing together a community who were curious about and motivated to try a different lifestyle.

During the writing of this book, we both became mamas. The great adventure of motherhood has inspired us to rethink our priorities. Our motivation has been renewed, and we want to spend time enjoying the days with our children, showing them the importance of taking care of our planet.Rather than get hung up on labels like zero waste or minimalist, which come off as judgemental and critical, we simply want to inspire you to move toward a more sustainable lifestyle yourself and give you the tools you need to do it at your own pace and in a way that works for you. We are certainly not perfect ourselves! Over the years, we have enjoyed discovering this world without ever feeling deprived, and we want this to come across in this book.

Because everyday life is not always as flawless as the curated versions we see on Pinterest or Instagram, we have scattered Real Life tips throughout the chapters of Minimal . This is our way of compromising and finding balance. You will also find our top tricks, recipes, and inspirations, which we hope will make you want to accompany us on this sustainable-living journey.

Happy reading!

Laurie & Stphanie

Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.

Dalai Lama

A step in the right direction

Over the next week, ask yourself what you could cut from your schedule to make more space for your favourite activities or even for rest. But beware! Its not simply about replacing one task with another; rather, its about making spaces in your day to leave room for lifes little surprises.

Minimalism

Living more simply and becoming more minimalist does not have to mean getting rid of all your possessions and living in a white room with no furniture. Far from it! Each person has to find the pace and balance that suits them.

Our current rate of consumption is so way out of whack with our needs that soon we will require the equivalent of three planets to meet the needs of future generations. Resisting this norm of consumption that drives us to constantly seek more material goods in order to paper over whatever we are missing inside, a minimalist way of life promises to free us of mental burdens so we can focus on the important things. Its also key to remember not to value material goods over human experiences.

In discussions on minimalism, you may often hear a certain term repeated: intention . Being intentional means being attentive to the present moment and living in harmony with it. On a day-to-day basis, living with intention is a useful way to avoid mental overload, as well as to be more aware and more appreciative of our surroundings. Thus simplicity inevitably brings with it a sense of mindfulness, and anchors us in the now.

In these pages we will explore the basics of a minimalist life, built on principles of self-control and decluttering. When we reduce our possessions it helps us differentiate desires from real needs so that, ultimately, we make better decisions as consumers.

Five questions to ask before you buy or receive anything

• Do I really need it?
• Can I repair the one I already own?
• Can I buy it used?
• Can I obtain it from a local company?
• Can I politely refuse?