Hi, my name is Evelien (aka Minie) and I like figuring out how things work so I can make them work for me. On this blog I share everything I know.
Why Minie?
Well, it started out as a nickname a friend gave me when he saw a picture of me wearing a red apron with black dots. And so he started calling me Minie, after Minnie Mouse. When my niece was born, the nickname kind of stuck, since my name is Evelien and my sister would keep calling me Evelieneminie. So naturally, my niece now calls me aunt Minie.
More about me
I’ve been on this quest for a simpler and more intentional life for over 5 years now. It started when I was working in an advertising agency and I wasn’t feeling fulfilled anymore. My search for a happier way of living led me to minimalism and that started off a whole spiritual awakening ;-)
Right now, I freelance as a project manager and run a business that manages several Airbnb properties. I love spending time with friends and family, especially my cute niece and nephew. As for hobbies/exercise, I train pole dancing and climbing on a regular basis.
I grew up in a small village in Belgium, called Assenede. It’s right on the border with the Netherlands and is what you would call ‘part of the countryside’. When I was around 18 years, I started college in the most beautiful city in the world: Ghent. And I’ve never wanted to live anywhere else even though my travels have taken me all over the world: I’ve seen pretty much every country in Europe, have seen both coasts in the USA and travelled as far as Indonesia and Australia.
A few random facts about me
- If you meet me, please don’t ask me what I do. Ask me wether I think there’s alien life out there, about the meaning of life or tell me about your passion.
- I’m not a big fan of capital letters (though I often cave in to the rules of society and use them anyway).
- I’m an introvert who’s getting better and better at impersonating an extrovert.
- Friends often tell me: ‘Most people just talk about this kind of stuff, but you actually go and do it!’
- I once owned a boat.
- Never understood why people think I have a strange sense of humor.
- Try to live my life according to the Holstee manifesto and am a strong believer that everything will work out in the end.
When I turned 30, I wrote a post that summarised how I see life. Maybe that’ll give you some more insight into Minie:
Go out and travel.
It will break down prejudice, widen your eyes and help you get to know yourself.
Have compassion.
Not just for others, but also for yourself.
Just be you.
Don’t try to be someone else. You’re the only one that can bring your unique gift to this world.
Focus on loving yourself first, before you love someone else.
Because you can only love an other person as much as you love yourself.
Live consciously.
Think about what you are doing. How it affects other people, the planet, and yourself.
Believe that you can do everything you want.
Yes you can fly, yes you can achieve your dreams & goals, yes you can be whoever you want. If you don’t believe this, it won’t happen.
Be happy.
Even if bad things happen. Even if things don’t go as you wish. It’s ok to be sad sometimes, but being happy is not linked to things, realisations or other people. It’s something within yourself.
Don’t wait for ‘the right moment’.
Life is happening now. There’s never a right moment. Just go for it.
Learn to accept compliments.
Really, when people compliment you, the nicest thing you can do for them and for yourself is to accept it and say thank you.
Take time for yourself.
Meditate, take a bath, go for a walk, learn to do nothing.
Take care of your body.
Do yoga, exercise. Your body does deteriorate as you get older ;-)
Go after the things that you want.
The universe will help you out, but if you really want something, you have to make an effort.
Do what you love.
Life’s too short to waste time on jobs you don’t like, relationships that don’t make you happy or friendships that no longer work.
Be grateful.
For the small things and the big things. But mostly for the small things.
Be vulnerable.
Open up to people who deserve it. Let yourself be seen as you are. It’s the most important thing you can do for yourself.
Be respectful.
To everyone. Because everyone deserves your respect.
Decide what it is you want.
Only after you’ve decided, figure out how to get there. If you do it the other way around, you’ll never start.
Follow your heart.
Trust me, your mind just fucks things up …
Love. Love. Love.
Love people, love things, love the world, love yourself. Even if people are mean to you, even if the world seems like it’s trying to destroy you. Love.
Live a simple life. Think hard about the value something brings into your life. And if it doesn’t bring value, don’t buy it, do it, talk to them or spend time on it.
Know that you’re imperfect and that’s ok.
Nobody’s perfect. We’ve all made mistakes. That doesn’t mean you’re not worthy of being loved.
Learn to listen.
Most people listen to speak, but not many people can just listen to another person.
Don’t judge other people.
You don’t know what their story is. Or what they’ve been through, or how they see the world. Everyone is just doing the best they can.
Be nice to animals.
They’re people too :-)
Don’t be afraid to fail.
Just try stuff. You might fail, but you might fly.
Follow your dreams.
You’re the only one that can make them come true. It is your right and your duty to do so.
Have your heart broken at least once.
It hurts like hell, but it’s good to know that it can be broken …
Learn how to properly fill a dishwasher.
Seriously people, there’s a logic and efficient way to do it. It’s not that hard :-p
