Hi and welcome! I’m Melissa and welcome to Simple Lionheart Life, where you’ll find inspiration, encouragement and practical advice to simplify and declutter your home and life to embrace minimalism. I want to share a little about myself, Simple Lionheart Life and why minimalism is so great!
When you simplify your home and life, you give yourself time, space and freedom for the things that matter most. Like the time, space and freedom for family, friends and amazing experiences that are waiting for you on the other side of too much. Too much stuff, too many commitments, too much time wasted managing stuff you don’t even need!
Learn more about me and Simple Lionheart Life below!
What you’ll find at Simple Lionheart Life
Stuff has a way of accumulating in our homes. When you add children to the mix, the amount of stuff seems to grow exponentially. Motherhood is hard enough, and too much stuff only makes it harder.
If you are tired of feeling overwhelmed and stressed out by too much stuff in your life, this is the place for you!
If you’re looking for ways to declutter your house, slow down and start living a calmer, more intentional life, I’m here for you.
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My Journey to Simplifying and Minimalism
We unexpectedly lost our first child, Aiden, in 2010 when he was only 19 days old. Losing Aiden is what first planted the seed of simplifying and minimizing in my life. His short life and my journey through grief since made me realize what matters most to me: the people I love. Things are just things, the people I love are most important.
We gave Aiden the nickname “Aiden the Lionheart” because he had such a brave little soul. This nickname and the meaning behind it is what inspired the name Simple Lionheart Life.
Beyond losing Aiden, what really spurred me on to simplify our lives was when my daughter was a busy toddler. Toddlers have a special ability to make a mess out of anything! I finally got sick of picking up the same things every day that I didn’t even need or love and decided to make a change. That’s when my journey to simplifying and decluttering got serious! Less stuff means fewer messes to clean up and more time to enjoy being with my kids.
I’ve been actively decluttering and minimizing my home and my life over the last decade. I’ve learned a lot along the way. And on Simple Lionheart Life, I’m excited to share what I’ve learned so far, and what I’m still learning.
I’ve always been an organized person who prefers order over chaos, but embracing a more minimalist point of view has been life-changing. Getting rid of the excess stuff, rather than just re-organizing it, has saved me so much time, stress and energy.
Join me for tips about why and how to declutter, simplify and create a more intentional life. And follow along with me as I go deeper into a more minimalist lifestyle and continue to simplify and declutter my life.
About Me: Let me introduce myself
I am a thirty-something, stay-at-home mom of three. My daughter and my youngest son are here in my arms. My first child, Aiden, watches over us from Heaven. I am on a journey to create a simpler, more intentional life.
To me, simple and intentional living means living a slower, less cluttered life. Making it easier to enjoy my days and motherhood. The more I simplify and remove the excess from our lives, the more I make room to invite calmness and joy in. It’s a lot of hard work to declutter and clear your space, but the benefits are so worth it.
My Family
My daughter is a strong-willed and fiercely independent child. She challenges me regularly while bringing so much laughter and joy into our lives. My youngest child is an easy-going and sweet little guy, with a definite wild and mischievous side. He gives the best hugs and always has the cutest smile on his face, even when he’s getting into trouble!
I’m lucky to be married to another introvert, who is a laid-back, vintage video-game-loving, scientist. We live in rural Alberta, Canada. Along with our West Highland Terrier, Banks, who is as sweet and cuddly as they come.
More about me
I am a creative soul who loves chai lattes and journaling. I love reading, painting, sewing my own clothes and decorating and writing in my journal. I’m a true Highly Sensitive introvert and our home is my happy place. My favourite way to spend an evening is curled up on the couch with a cozy blanket, a hot cup of tea and a good book.
I love reading about and practicing a variety of mindfulness practices as well. I am trained as a meditation teacher, but am not teaching at the moment. Instead, I’m using what I’ve learned and am learning to create a deeper mediation practice that gives me the quiet time I crave. While also helping me slow down and stay more present in my day-to-day life.
I also enjoy a little “woo-woo” too! I love learning about and using oracle cards, crystals and tapping.
My life may not have gone the way I imagined it would. But I am beyond grateful for the life we have created. My heart will always be missing Aiden, but it is also overflowing with love.
Follow along with my art career and painting journey at melissarussellart.com! As well as find my art page on Instagram @melissa.russell.art
Stay in touch!
Thanks for joining me as I share pieces of my life, please leave a comment and say hello! You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.
In the past, I have also been a contributor to Still Standing Magazine, an online magazine for people who are finding ways to survive and thrive after the loss of a child. You can read the pieces I have written here.
Want to join me on the journey to a simpler life? One filled with less stuff and more time for the things you love? Subscribe now and get the latest updates and resources to encourage and inspire you on the path to freedom from too much stuff!
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