Becoming Minimalist

Own less. Live more. Finding minimalism in a world of consumerism.

Whatever Is Accessible, Gets Utilized

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ice-cream-accessibility

Every Tuesday after school, my 9-year old daughter asks me for money. I should be prepared, but it surprises me every time. Probably because I never know what day of the week it is.

But the scenario is always the same. After she walks home from school and sets her backpack down by the closet, she’ll ask me for a couple dollars.

“What do you need the money for?” I’ll ask.

And she’ll respond, “Dad, it’s Tuesday. The ice cream truck is coming today.”

One of the benefits of being a kid in Phoenix is that the ice cream truck is available all year long. For our street, it’s Tuesdays. And apparently, when you are 9-years old, the appeal of the ice cream truck is too much to ignore.

I mean, it’s ice cream, in a truck, who could possibly resist?

The first time I ever considered the relationship between accessibility and consumerism was during a panel discussion with Graham Hill and Halina Brown on HuffPost Live. It was a simple connection—one I probably should have made earlier, but I hadn’t.

One of the reasons for rampant consumerism in our society is low prices (fast fashion, for example). But another, equally important reason for the steady rise in consumer purchasing is accessibility.

As more and more retail stores appear on more and more street corners, consumerist habits become more difficult to overcome.

My daughter would eat less ice cream if the truck didn’t visit our street each week. My son would make fewer trips to the convenience store if it wasn’t within a bike ride of our house. And we’d all shop at Target less if it wasn’t so easy to get to.

Some companies have built an entire business model on accessibility. Walgreens comes to mind. So does Starbucks. As does Amazon.

Amazon, actually, is a perfect example of how accessibility impacts consumption.

The New York Times once wrote, “Jeffrey P. Bezos, Amazon’s founder, ‘has been on a mission to eradicate every conceivable obstacle to shopping online since the 1990s when he patented Internet ordering with a single mouse click’.”

And now, with the invention of the Amazon Dash Button, they have made shopping even more accessible. Without leaving your pantry or laundry room, you can place your order for consumer products with the press of a button… like an ice cream truck permanently placed inside your home.

Accessibility drives consumption. At least in these cases (and many more).

It is important for us to notice how accessibility impacts our behavior. Because the principle extends beyond shopping.

In life, whatever is accessible, gets utilized.

Unhealthy accessibility shapes unhealthy habits in our lives:

  • Keeping sweets in the home makes us more likely to eat them.
  • Having televisions conveniently located throughout a home results in more watching.
  • Placing your cell phone on your nightstand encourages late night browsing, early morning email, and even sleep texting.

But equally powerful, accessibility has opportunity to spur healthy habits as well:

  • Keeping fresh fruit and vegetables in your home makes healthy snacking more likely.
  • Having educational toys available for your children spurs learning.
  • Spending more time together as a family encourages conversation.
  • Removing vices from your immediate surroundings (tobacco, sugar, alcohol, television) is the first step in overcoming them.

What healthy habits are you trying to develop in your life? What unhealthy habits are you hoping to break? And how is accessibility influencing your behavior?

Joshua Becker

About Joshua Becker

Writer. Inspiring others to live more by owning less.
WSJ Bestselling author of The More of Less.

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Comments

  1. I used to be obsessed by fashion. I’d read the latest magazines, watch all the latest shows online, follow celebrity fashion mags, websites, blogs. I was overloading myself with new ideas and new outfits, I had to have one in every colour. I was hooked. I didn’t realise that all these things were psychologically making me feel out of fashion followed by a constant need to consume. What a con! And a huge drain on my time and energy to keep up. Like I had to keep up to be a worthy human, I constantly felt I needed more clothes, more options, more styles.
    Ugh.
    Then two things happened:
    1. I got tired of the constant struggle.
    2. I noticed how Christopher Bailey of Burberry wore the exact same outfit at the end of each of his runway shows. Same for Michael Kors. Same for Karl Lagerfeld. Same for Tom Ford. Did designers know something that we didn’t?
    3. On all the fashion blogs, the chicest people wore black/grey/white in simple minimal timeless styles. Often the same quality item over and over again, quality over quantity. And they never looked out of fashion.

    So I realised I was being a mug, a victim, a pawn in their game to make money. I deliberately made fashion less accessible. I stopped looking for it. I stopped chasing it. I let it chase me. And suddenly I stopped feeling ‘out of fashion’ because I didn’t know any better. Essentially I went on a low information diet, selective ignorance as it were. The only time I see new styles now is on other people on my way to work.
    I went to an online store and looked at each category name (I didn’t browse though). Then for each category (there’s only about max 15) I made sure I had one quality item in plain black/grey/white in a simple minimal timeless style. Often my wardrobe already had this. Suddenly I reached my style goal in one session. I immediately had a perfect wardrobe. Every combination of what I had was tumblr-givenchy-saintlaurent-monochrome-esque ready (without the price tag of course).

    I’ve never felt better or more content. I can finally get on with my life and think about more important things. I can’t believe I wasted so much time/energy on something so pointless.
    That’s how making something less accessible made my life better.

      • Black, grey and white aren’t even colours. I’m an aspiring minimalist but I don’t ever want my only sartorial choices to be so monochrome. Colour brings me joy!
        Many of my clothes have been in my possession for years or decades.
        We need to revert back to the ‘war years’ mentality (here in Blighty there were more than 8 years of rationing) and take care of what we already have.
        Make do and mend, people!

        • Interesting, I was raised with the mentality to take care of what I have but now I see how it’s backfired on me. I have too many clothes because if I want something new I get it but I don’t get rid of anything because nothing is torn, stained, etc. but it is out of date!! It required a new mindset to finally clear them out. I want a minimalist wardrobe so bad but am woefully handicapped in that area. I am constantly reading on how to do it!! I’ll get there but I wish it were sooner than later. I would love to consult with Naomi!!!

          • Jo Anne, hope this info. help you and others so after several months been uncluttering clothes not worn much, but richlyrooted.com (rule of 10) motivated me as each category is pared down to ten, twelve or more pcs in each type (shirts, pants, shorts, etc.) (retirees can ditch even more clothes and go for more active wear) Other ideas on several sites is to wear neutral bottoms (pants, skirts, capris), tops being in you color palette. So I got busy, each category was grouped together in drawers/closet. I stick to navy, gray, khaki maybe several black pants, as neutrals. This is best to org. via category. ( glad I found that site) Everything coord. together. I don’t own dresses. Keeping each category together and going thru end of winter, end of summer, weeding out unworn items. Still have to pare down tops.

        • Hi Naomi,
          Totally agree that you should go with whatever brings you joy. I’ve begun to realise that minimalism for everyone is different in terms of application but the same in terms of the core (i.e. to strip away anything that doesn’t add value to your life). If your fashion aesthetic includes colour then totally embrace it :) Myself, I was just naturally drawn to that LA-monochrome-look and sticking to the 3 shades that that was associated with has helped me finally feel I’ve completed my wardrobe so I can move onto to concentrate on other life goals.

    • Brilliance! Went straight to a couple of my favorite fashion store sites to get categories, went next to my closet and edited as directed, put everything else away. What calmness each morning to dress from quality and simplicity. I have been struggling with putting together my capsule wardrobe because I always felt obligated to add pattern and color…which, incidentally, have never been my preference…just a push from the fashion world. I think this may be just what I was looking for. Thank you.

      • You’re actually awesome! Thanks for the feedback :)
        I love what you said about ‘calmness’. My decluttered rooms have a totally different mental feel about them. Like I can actually ‘breathe’ once again. And it’s meant I can finally start asking myself “what is the purpose of my life, what am I here to achieve, what steps do I need to do to achieve them”. I realised that ‘stuff’ was this constant ‘noise’ was getting in the way of me being able to finally sit down and ask myself that question.

  2. I have to say I agree that accessibility plays a huge part in my consumerist habits. We even have apps that allow us to place an order for take outs without having to even pick up the phone. Very dangerous when you have had a long day and are too tired to cook.

    We used to bring our mobile phones to bed with us and do a last minute bit of email checking etc but we have stopped this as it was eating into our sleeping time and now leave our phones outside. I have bought a bog standard alarm clock instead to wake us up.

    • Helen we have the same issue with the phone. We have started putting it away from the bed but we just get up to put on charge-I am thinking of leaving it in the living room (we don’t have a landline) when we go to bed.
      I deleted all of my “stored payment methods” on amazon and other buying sites. This makes me think more about the purchase because I have to physically get out my card to type in the number. Most of the time I won’t buy it!

  3. I leave my phone with me at night in-case of an emergency. If I need to call 911 for example…or if a family member needs me.

    I do try to stock my house with good food choices…that I bought at TARGET!

    My granddaughter is 9 too, Joshua :) :) :) Can you imagine the joy that comes to her when the ice cream truck comes here in Illinois!!! It’s a rare summer treat.

    I love her to pieces. God has blessed me richly.

  4. This is so true. We have moved to the middle of nowhere, we don’t have our own car anymore–and yet, there’s Amazon. The delivery truck is out here multiple times a week (not just for me).
    On the other hand, the good stuff is close by. Having a dance studio where I can do yoga almost whenever I want means that I don’t have an excuse to stay on the couch (or on the computer).

      • I have also started to put items that I think I need from Amazon into my wish list, because I’m such an impulse buyer.
        I have discovered by doing this that if I wait for a week or two that I no longer want the item and then I delete it. It saves me from having to return unwanted items or keeping items that I don’t need.

        • On all on line order sites, I put items in my basket and then sleep on it before checking out. Often realize I don’t need; sometimes get a “you’ve left x in your basket” and a free shipping or discount message.

        • Yes! I have done that too. And if it’s there for a week or so and I still think I need it, then I’ll get it.
          I’m also trying to consolidate the deliveries to use less gas–even though I’m not driving, someone is.

  5. Great post Joshua! I put my rebounder in my bedroom so I can jump on it throughout the day. When it was in the garage I never gave it a thought. I love reading your posts… So thought provoking. Thank you.

  6. I am grateful for these reads. After having my little one, I tried minimalism and it was truly the happiest and most peaceful time for me. Knowing that I could get ready in a few minutes and a first time mommy was so amazing. I didnt tell my relatives I was in this journey but eventually did. They were pretty cool with the idea . Sad to say I did that for one year. I am a millitary wife so we move around often than the average. I have the bare minimum in my home as far as clothes and furnitures. My downfall is buying pretty handbags. I am now trying to start all over gain. This is helping me but I know I have to stay on the straight and narrow and it will take work to do so.

    • If pretty handbags are your only vice, enjoy it. Nothing like carrying something that brings you joy. It is an item you use everyday.

  7. This is a simple message. That doesn’t mean it’s not profound though. Here is a question – we all believe this as we’re following the blog. If there’s a problem with consumerism it’s probably not with us. How do we get the people in our life’s to consume less? I don’t think badgering works. Probably just being models?

    • And when it’s time to give gifts always give consumables that we KNOW they will use instead of sit on a shelf! Or treat them to a dinner-NOT STUFF

      • YES! Or give gifts of activities! We took my nieces and nephew to see the high school production of Beauty & the Beast as a (belated) Christmas present. THEY got to look forward to a show, WE spent a lot less on them (for something we feel is valuable!), and their PARENTS were so grateful we didn’t give them another toy to play with, then toss aside!

  8. The hours that stores remain open have also made it much easier to buy more. I remember when many stores closed around dinner time and weekends.

    • What a sane idea! I’ve never lived in a time when stores closed early or on the weekends. I know Chick Fil A being closed on Sunday’s feels like such a strange thing when most stores and restaurants are always open.

  9. I am not even tempted to be a shopper, but after reading this, I’m thinking my Bible should be on the table next to my chair! That way, I would be more prone to pick it up when I sit down to rest during the day. Great article.

  10. My family and I moved a little over a year ago from a dense suburb to an almost rural location. It shook up our routines, and accessibility had everything to do with that!

    We used to go to the neighborhood park almost daily. Now that there’s no park accessible to us, except by car, the park is only a once a week thrill. We did buy a backyard playscape last year, and the kids play out there daily.

    There’s a Goodwill less than five minutes from where we live now, which has facilitated my boxing up and passing along many things we no longer need. I go there anywhere from once a week to once every few days to drop things off. (We are still purging toys and clothes, books and decor items/housewares.)

    We used to live five minutes from Target, and now we live thirty minutes away from either a Target or a Wal-Mart. I hope this lasts; a lot of folks in the local community would fight getting either of those, and I think it helps preserve the character of our small town not to have them. I still shop at Target, but only rarely, and I didn’t really shop at WM before or now.

    We used to live just a few minutes from a Starbucks Drive Thru in any direction. Now the nearest one is thirty minutes away. My wallet is happy about this.

    We now live closer to a YMCA branch than we ever have before, and this has been a godsend, with my being a stay-at-home-mom with three young kids. We are there almost daily. I get an exercise break while the kids are in Child Watch. The childcare workers all know them well. The older kids take gymnastics classes there. It’s a home away from home.

    We go to the church around the corner from our house–two minutes away–and we find ourselves there at least a couple of times a week, most weeks.

    I do buy things through Amazon, and have to watch myself not to overspend there.

    • Oh yeah, what Dan Erickson said about store hours! Stores in our local community are often cash-only or closed on Sundays, in stark contrast to the way things operated in our old suburb. We get a kick out of that. It does keep me from seriously considering getting a pedicure–having to get the cash out in advance or drive into town makes it seem like too frivolous an expense.

  12. Having four-legged walking partners always accessible – and willing! – keeps us at a pretty good pace for getting outside, taking time away from a screen, and getting steps in. Minus a storm, a dog isn’t ever going to turn down a walk.

    My work being constantly accessible via phone and laptop is a problem. I’m working on it.

  13. Thank you for this great article. I Have been trying for some time to make healthy food choices. Like you, I realized that having sweets in the house was too hard for me to consistently ignore. So I am making better choices at the grocery store. However, even though it is a bit more effort, I can quickly whip up some cookies or quickbreads etc. The proximity technique brought me closer to my goal, but I’m struggling to figure out the rest. I do have willpower but it fails me when I need it most- when things get tough.

    • Hi Heather, You are not alone. Temptation seems to follow me also despite the Strawberries & Bananas I leave in plain sight. So I just go out and buy the very accessible cookies, cakes & pretzels…:) Congrats on taking the first step of foregoing ready made!

  14. What I have been doing to promote healthier eating choice is eating three meals a day. Eating enough in each meal to avoid snacking in between.

    I found when I did not eat enough during meals I would eat unhealthy snacks often. Living around and often visiting New York City daily unhealthy snacking choices are available 24/7.

  15. I totally agree. Veering off just slightly, I woke up this morning thinking about negative habitual thoughts – also very accessible. They’re always right there. So I declared today Anything’s Possible Day. Making positive thoughts more accessible than limiting ones just for the day. We’ll see how it goes. Maybe it will turn into Anything’s Possible Week. Thanks Joshua.

  16. Indeed… I’ve had a start/stop relationship with Netflix for a long time until I finally gave it the heave-ho. Same with Facebook.

    But there’s something more to it than accessibility I think. Because even after removing the access, there was a powerful draw to flood my (now) free time with other mindless jargon.

    I think the end of the post is right though… Kind of like the “one in, one out” mantra of some minimalists, maybe when we remove a time-suck, we should replace it with something healthy.

  17. This is something I often forget about because of the convenience that comes with consumerism. I do try to keep fruit in our fruit bowl to encourage healthy snacks. We also go on family walks to spend time together. Now that the weather is warming up that will be more frequent.

  18. I’m trying to go to the grocery store less and use up the things in the pantry- good for our budget and good for our meal planning! I love YouTube which has so many free workouts that it makes staying healthy affordable and accessible.

  19. Hi Joshua, interesting article as always. I’m an aspiring minimalist/essentialist, and currently work in advertising. So, life is a hot mess of contradictions these days.
    You are on point here as theory on brand growth (and I’m simplifying here) suggests that in order for brands to grow their market share they need physical availability (or accessibility as you outline above) and mental availabilility … frequent and/or targeted enough messages that bring that brand to the top of your mind.
    Your lovely suggestion to work on healthy habits is also a mindful way to shift your mental availability away from consumption.
    Best wishes, Amanda

  20. So, so true. Sad but true. I declined to renew my Amazon Prime this year because it was clear that the “free shipping!” wasn’t so free after all. ;-}

    • AMEN!! The shipping is in the price of the product. I cancelled mine also. I will still order hard to find items on Amazon occasionally but found the Prime items always were priced higher and often the item would not arrive in 2 days. Amazon Prime is a scam in my opinion.

  21. This reminds me of an article you wrote called The Cost of Convenience. Accessibility and convenience can easily trick us into believing our needs are more or different than they really are. When we stop looking at sales and advertising and what others are buying we start to see how simple our needs can be, and we can count the real cost of selling out to convenience and assesibility. Availability does not equal necessity. Thanks for this reminder!

  22. I’m having a duh moment. I have a Walkman, yes walkman???? in my nightstand and if I feel like I can’t sleep I reach for it. I need to move that somewhere else. I get interested in a talk show and give up trying to sleep.
    I do tend to stock my shelves with too many quickie snacks like dried cranberries, animal crackers, nuts. I would probably eat more fresh fruit or veggies if I kept them ready to eat. Love cauliflower or broccoli with dip. It’s just never easily available. I could change that.
    You are so smart.

  23. My wife and I have no cell phones, never had and never will, not because we’re tempted to use them, but because we have no need of cell phones. We have a perfectly usable phone plugged into the wall that we answer when someone calls and we’re home.

    We haven’t had a television since 1978, not because it’s a bad habit, but because there’s nothing to be gained from watching it. We have no desire, even once or twice a year when we we stay in a hotel.

    We do have plenty of open space and natural areas available in our area, so we walk through them every day, not out of habit but because we enjoy it. Grocery stores, our local, the library, downtown businesses are all within two and a half miles, so we walk there and back, even though out 1972 VW bug is sitting in the carport, perfectly accessible and unnecessary to use.

    Just because things are available doesn’t mean we must use them.

    • We do have a cell phone because it great to know if the car breaks down you can call for help. I have a health issue that keeps me from shopping for groceries sometimes so my husband goes for me. He couldn’t get groceries with just a list. We tried it. It is also nice to know when he leaves work that I can call him to remind him to pick up something. I carry my cell phone even if I just walk to the road because if I fall I can call for help. If you see an accident, you might be able to save someone’s life by being the first to call 911 .
      I know these may seem minor but they give me peace of mind.

      I think the Internet and the ability to order most anything and have it delivered to your door is a godsend for house bound and elderly people. It also gives them entertainment. Not everyone is healthy and mobile. We did the back to basics when we were young and it was wonderful but circumstances change. We don’t go to movies or eat out so that helps with a he cost. You have to decide for yourself what works. Not all electronics are bad.

  24. I follow this site and other religiously and I do try to escape the whole rat race.
    But today I broke my own rule of not spending money on unnecessary things. How can I stop this behaviour, I mean, yes, I could’ve stayed out of the shop, but I needed one item (ended up with 4) it also doesn’t help that there is online shopping so easily available.
    How do you guys keep on going? I mean I was good for 2 months, but today it just came over me. Ugh, I’m so annoyed with myself.

    • Hi Sonja! Think about how well you did for 2 months, forgive yourself for today, and keep on going. Everyday is not perfect! Good luck!

    • I have to add that you shouldnt beat yourself up. You have two solid months of good habits under your belt. Take a few moments and remember those months. How you felt. What did you do. What motivated you.
      And start again.
      Everybody has an oops moment. Dont let it turn into an oops week or an oops month!

  25. I have come to hate the dvr. A few years ago I thought it was so great because it was so convenient.. Now, my kids have 30 episodes of their favorite shows recorded and available at any time. Makes it very difficult to limit the amount of time spent watching. When i was growing up my favorite shows were on once a week and if I missed it, too bad. Lol
    Seriously thinking of ditching the dvr to help remove temptation.

  26. I like the online shopping for clothes as I can fill a basket and not check out. So I get a shopping fix wo driving anywhere or buying anything.

    • Check the pantry. She hides the pop tarts there for herself and leaves the oranges out for you! haha ;) JK

  29. I’m sure those stupid Amazon buttons will be everywhere someday and won’t even seem weird anymore, but I just find it so crazy. How do people with kids keep from accidentally ordering 50 bottles of laundry detergent? I just really don’t see the need for it to be THAT convenient.

  30. Oh, no. Joshua, you’re normally much better than this:
    It’s “fewer trips,” not “less trips.”
    And the company names are Walgreens and Starbucks, no apostrophes.

  31. It is certainly true that accessibility does make it easier to be consumers. My husband and I have Big financial goals. Because of this we have a tight budget, therefore there isn’t a lot of extra money for excessive purchasing. However, we have only a prepaid credit card now and definitely helps me limit online purchases because I have to log into my bank account to put money on it before I can make a purchase. I have to say that I am thankful that I live in a small town that has very few stores . I would spend a lot more if I lived in a city.

  32. Hi Joshua,
    Beautiful post. Small changes that can lead to big significant changes in your life.

    We got rid of our TV and made educational games really easy accessible in the living room. It’s been a great improvement for the kids and parents as well. Best change in the last year.

    Warm regards,
    Klaus Crow

  33. I totally agree, especially with availability of stuff. However, I have been able to make accessibility work for my husband and me, thanks in large part to you, Joshua. Amazon and shopping on line keeps me from browsing in retail stores and buying more stuff! I only type in what I want or need and do not browse. I am more mindful of what I purchase and do not receive immediate gratification. I have to wait for my purchase and always choose standard shipping if there is a charge.
    Now with more supermarkets carrying whole foods and less processed foods, I do just shop the perimeter of the store. We have a simple menu which we stick to and are much more mindful of our eating and health.
    Thank you for all of your posts and books. They have made us better spouses, parents, grandparents, and friends.
    I’m still waiting on my receipt from iBooks so I can attend your webinar!

  34. I hope you let your daughter get the ice cream!! I grew up poor and I really remember that my dad would let us dig into the bucket seats of his Valiant for coins and my brother and I would chase the ice cream truck screaming in glee to get ice cream. We talk about it to this day and even though I can afford the ice cream truck, I love treating my daughter to it. Many times we have “chased” the truck to see where it would stop to get ice cream. It’s not an every Tuesday thing but I would love hearing the chiming music more often!

  35. I am from Uganda, Africa, I have been following this site for some time and I do enjoy it. You have indeed taught me greatly, and because I am a Pastor in a Church I take some of the relevant articles to the Church and this site is influencing many people here in our area of operations. Though in Uganda and Africa at large we are not yet to the level of on line shopping of all the items, but we have access to internet and phones, TVs among other gargets in addition to having shops around us especially to those who stay in developing towns. May be the biggest challenge is that in Africa we tend to follow and pick up everything that is western, TVs and Phones have broken homes, soccer where people are fun of say man u, Arsenal, Madrid among others, they do a lot of betting to the extent of divorcing their spouses, killing each other or committing suicide, its a challenge. TVs show soups that people will follow for months, they are stuck to their TV sets at a given time, and because different charnels show different soups at different times, people switch charnels and can be on a TV set till past mid night. Conversations at home is no more, children are not helped to do their home work, attending to visitors is a thing of the past, and there is a challenge of behavioral change as the young tend to behave western etc. It takes God and determination to say no to such habits. I have a TV set at home but I watch it only for news as a source of Information as buying news papers on a daily basis is more expensive, my family and I decided never to watch soups, I stopped supporting foreign foot ball teams since after my high school studies (i used to support man u) and because I have a set time for prayer and in case of visitors, I have a remote in my hands, I control the TV set. My wife used to have a challenge of having a serious spending appetite, even when you have a shopping list, she will still buy whatever pleases her and would end up buying unnecessary things and also buy them on credit. We sat together and agreed to always stick to our budgets and she has tremendously improved. We decide to go with the essentials; we go with what is important for our family and what promotes both our spiritual and physical life. What a teaching!!!!!!!!!,
    God bless you all.

  36. My family and I rarely ate or drank Dunkin Donuts. But then one was recently built in our town. I craved a doughnut, so I got one because the drive-thru was convenient. For a special treat, I bought doughnuts, instead of baking as I usually would. DD sent coupons to the homeowners in town so my mom was using them to buy iced coffee instead of making her own. We don’t particularly like DD, but they knew how to get our money. After I noticed this influx of DD in my diet after the store was built two blocks away, I felt had. Now I know better.

  37. I think accessibility does play a part in how much we consume. When we lived more remotely and not as close to the store, I was much more mindful of what we purchased. Often we had to “just make do” until our next shopping trip.
    While convenience is nice, it can have it’s downfalls if we do not put boundaries for ourselves when it comes to spending. More than that, I think we have to know at a deeper level why leading a simpler life is important to us – If we know our “why”, then walking through temptation becomes easier.

  38. Great post Joshua! Started leaving my work laptop in the office last week and what a difference it has made in wasted time I used to spend surfing the web. It feels like each day has 3-4 hours that I never realized before. Keep the great blog posts coming!

  39. I’ve noticed a huge difference in lifestyle when it comes to accessibility. If I have something nearby I’m way more likely to use it (or with bad food eat it). But if those hazards aren’t around I just don’t use them. The more people I talk to about this the more it becomes evident. Keep the bad influences away and your life will get better. Thanks for this great post.

  40. In order for me to buy donuts, or any other treat, I have to either walk 2 miles or take my bike through a hay field. So I now get a donut once or twice a month. I grow most of my own food, so junk food is basically a lot of trouble for me to get.
    You are totally right. If it is available, it will get utilized.
    Javi

  41. I’m lucky that food does not overly tempt me. I love it, but I can always just eat until I’m satiated and put the ice cream away. It impresses my girlfriend every time.

  42. I’m a big believer in having no snacks at home. Another rule I’ve imposed on myself is to always walk to the store if I want a snack. If I don’t walk, I don’t get the snack. If I do walk and get the snack, it’s guilt free. Thanks for a great post.

  43. I was thinking about this concept today as I played with trains with kids I babysit (or rather, pulled piece after piece after piece out of the box so there were workable track pieces available to assemble). I couldn’t help but think all the while, “if the basic track pieces were in their own container it would be much easier to play with this.” I understand the practicality of having it all in one big box (“put the pieces in the box” is a much easier instruction for a 4 year old to follow than anything that requires sorting, and one box is cheaper and easier to store than a whole organization system), but I was thinking that they may play with trains more if the pieces they need were more accessible rather than buried with all the larger specialty pieces.

  44. Eureka! I am so glad that my thoughts are confirmed through your writing. Our apartment lease will be up son and we are planning on downsizing from 3 bedrooms to 2. The area we live in right now is “close” to everything meaning it is a Mecca of Consumerism. I used to practically live in malls shopping and now when I am in the vicinity I feel the walls are like a prison cell beckoning for me to back and do my time like everyone else. My biggest hurdles that I’ve yet to deal with are clothes and eating out. I don’t buy new clothes anymore, strictly thrift shop and mostly for my growing kids; however, we eat out constantly and it’s expensive. I definitely hope we can find a place to live away from the hustle and bustle of all the “convenience” stores. I am frustrated that our progress is slow but Rome wasn’t built in one day.

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