You know that phenomenon of buying a car and suddenly it’s everywhere? The same happened to me when I started to think minimalist-ically. Suddenly minimalist heros popped up everywhere, in the most unlikely places. Every Monday, I’ll share one of my little role models, so you can see examples of minimalist lifestyles way cooler than my own.

Our first Min-spiration role model is

Bilbo Baggins.

“I’m awfully sorry,” said Bilbo, “but I have come without my hat, and I have left my pocket-handkerchief behind, and I haven’t got any money. I didn’t get your note until after 10.45 to be precise.”

“Don’t be preceise,” said Dwalin, “and don’t worry! You will have to manage without pocket-handkerchiefs, and a good many other things, before you get to the journey’s end.“

^ love this  illustration

Hidden in the epic of the Lord of the Rings saga is the message no matter how small you may seem or feel, you can make a huge difference. But in order to go on adventures, you have to break out of your comfort zone, leave behind what you thought was fundamental to survival, and let yourself get hungry – for adventure and for food. (Seriously, The Hobbit is also a great diet book. The first time I read my empathy for the starving characters definitely prevented some unnecessary snacking.).

And the film version has its moments too. It celebrates “the little things”, as seen in this inspiring new Gandalf-ism:

Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love. Why Bilbo Baggins? I don’t know. Perhaps because I am afraid, and he gives me courage.

We each have a place in the universe, and even the smallest and most ordinary characters matter – if you’re not the great wizard, be the source of his courage. Travel fashionably light. With less stuff you can take more steps. You can live without your handkerchief, and leaving it behind could lead  to book-worthy adventures. You can always come home, whatever that means to you, but going away and trying something new will make you appreciate it all the more.

Happy wanders,

xandra ★

P.S. more on my hobbit-esque adventures (and how to live your own) in my book