Zuzka, our October Večernica

Zuzka caught my attention with her tips on minimalism, which I have honestly been trying to achieve for some time. October is her Večernice month, and I think it's the perfect time to think carefully about how to manage this year's end and the classic Christmas madness calmly. In short, don't overdo it in shopping, in consumption, in life.

What minimalism is about, what it can give and take, come and read with us now.

Minimalism is often associated with black and white aesthetics, empty rooms and one cup of coffee. And yes, if it suits you, you can have it that way, but it's not the only correct form of minimalism. It may look different for each of us, but the important thing is always that you are satisfied.

Zuzko, why minimalism?

For a long time I struggled in the cycle of accumulation - chaos - dissatisfaction - sorting and I was still looking for how to do it so that I would finally be satisfied. Not only with what I have, but somehow in general, also with myself. But in the beginning, I also struggled with minimalism - because of the absurd demands I placed on myself. When I discovered for myself that there are many forms of minimalism and that I don't have to have only two socks to be minimalist ENOUGH, somehow everything "clicked" into itself and it started to make so much sense. And the relief that came when I allowed myself to go my own way and sort out exactly what I didn't want to surround myself with, it's still the driving force for me to this day.

How did your family react to the minimalist way of life? And do you see that your way of life would also inspire your son?

Most of my extended family are chronic hoarders - those people who have things at home "what if it happens to come in handy". When I did my first really thorough sorting and couldn't stop talking about how much of a relief it was, for example I inspired my parents to get rid of a few downright unnecessary things and from time to time, when I'm with them, we dive into sorting a particular category things. But they are definitely not minimalists, and their way of life probably suits them - and that's okay. People should not push themselves into minimalism or anything else. It is best to set a positive example.
Our child probably doesn't notice it much yet - fewer things around him is the norm in which he lives, and we also try to explain why we don't buy every thing he wants. He's taking it pretty well so far.

On your Instagram, you describe minimalism in various areas (food, home furnishings, travel). What is closest to you? And do you even have reserves somewhere in minimalism?

Probably the easiest and closest for me is the optimization of furniture and interior equipment - especially the kitchen. Although I really do cook a lot - definitely more than the rest of my social bubble - we have a mini kitchen and really nice equipment. It can be said that I use most of the kitchen equipment on a daily basis. It is partly the fruit of minimalism, partly adaptation to a small apartment.

Where I definitely have reserves is the wardrobe - it could definitely be less bulky, on the other hand - I wear all the pieces, and if I notice that I don't reach for something often enough, I try to find a new life for it.

If there is someone who would like to start living according to the minimalism approach, what would you recommend?

Don't take it deathly seriously and allow yourself to take it gradually. Do not stick to strict instructions and specific numbers of things that you are "allowed" to have at home.
Sort carefully, let your feelings go, so that in a few weeks you don't find that you have sorted out the things you are missing unnecessarily and you have to buy them back again.

What did minimalism give and take away from you?

He gave me a huge relief in life, in personal relationships, and a lot of time that I don't spend rearranging and reorganizing things, but enjoying life.
He took ... um, that's hard. I don't feel like it would take anything away from me, I live that way because it suits me, if my lifestyle took anything away from me, I would probably look for something that suits me better.

Can everyone be a minimalist?

If he wants, he definitely does, and I'll be happy to show everyone that it's really possible! By the way, that's why my channel is also called "ordinary" and not "perfect" minimalist.

You have become our Večernica, MOONIA is a local brand, it works with selected materials with a clear origin. Your affinity for a responsible lifestyle is more than obvious today, but what were your beginnings like?

I've never been a fan of fast fashion - not necessarily because I didn't want to, but because I didn't have the money for that either when I was growing up. Actually, I behaved sustainably a bit out of compulsion - we shopped, as far as I can remember, practically exclusively in second-hand stores. Only in adulthood, when I started to earn more and was interested in the origin of new things - not only clothes, but everything, did I consciously start looking for local manufacturers, creators, designers.

And finally, a few FUN FACTS:

The most popular place in Brno is of course at home, on a retro Ikea Kon Tiki folding chair, which is older than me, with a cup of tea and knitting in hand. Of the publicly accessible places, I really like Dezertína and its legendary croissants, shopping for pastries for the weekend in Chleba Brno and the entire Platz inner-block complex - Mikrofarm to buy the perfect ingredients for cooking, bookworm eyecandy in Booktherapy, a coffee shop in Buchta C and all the Asian delicacies that come out of kitchen Homeland

I rest when I allow myself to switch off. Completely. With the mobile phone switched off, somewhere deep in the forest, with a man and a child. When I don't think about what needs to be bought, what I promised someone to finish at work, send ... that I'm approaching the deadline for submitting the project and so on

I am most proud of my child

The last great book I read was from the fiction Possibilities of a Love Romance by Jan Němek, it captured my heart not only because it takes place in Brno. Of the other books, I now very much enjoy flipping through the bible of fermentation by Michelin-starred chef René Redzepi The Noma guide to fermentation.

My guilty pleasure is making a large latte, playing an ASMR video on my headphones, and looking at various vintage items on the Internet bazaars - just like that, knowing that I don't need them and have no intention of buying them, but I like to look at them and they inspire me and otherwise until the purchase :)

The most popular MOONIA piece is without a doubt the Stella dress :) super versatile, endlessly combinable piece for meetings with the director and at home! :)