A blank page.
Every Black Friday, I wake up early to write. It’s tradition for me now. Here are some of the articles I have written on Black Friday morning:
- 35 Gifts Your Children Will Never Forget
- Holiday Shopping. We Can Do Better.
- All the Things You Don’t Need for a Perfect Holiday
Sitting down to write on Black Friday is now one of my favorite holiday traditions.
I never begin the day with an agenda and I have no predetermined topic in mind. Yesterday was Thanksgiving in America—a day for family and gratitude. The juxtaposition of Thanksgiving on Thursday and Black Friday immediately following speaks volumes about our culture. And I try to let the morning quietly speak to me.
So here I sit, with nothing but a blank page in front of me.
My writing tradition stems from my previous ritual of getting up early on Black Friday for shopping. I used to thoroughly enjoy the hunt—thumbing through Black Friday ads on Thanksgiving morning, mapping out stores and deals later that evening. I don’t ever recall getting up early on Black Friday to purchase Christmas gifts for loved ones, only to rush out and purchase something for myself—a television, a computer, a video game system. I had a plan, something I thought I wanted, and an alarm clock to wake me up.
I discovered minimalism in May of 2008. And over the course of the last nine years, my view on Black Friday has changed significantly. Not that purchasing discounted gifts for others is wrong—I’m certainly not against the entire notion of gift giving.
But Black Friday has begun to represent something else in our society. It is now a celebration of unbridled consumerism. Only in America do we wait in line and push past others for sale items one day after giving thanks for everything we already have.
And the things we buy on Black Friday are, almost by definition, things we don’t need. To make matters worse, the cultural expectation of spending during the holiday season is negatively impacting us in significant ways—24% of holiday shoppers say they overspent their holiday budget last year and 27% admit to not making a budget at all.
With that as the backdrop, quietly reflecting and taking time to write on Black Friday has become my ritual. If I can wake up early just to rush out for the purpose of buying something I don’t need, certainly I can wake up early to create something good to bring into the world.
If I can wake up early to consume, surely I can wake up early to create.
And so now, in the quiet hours of the morning while the rest of my family sleeps, I sit here with a cup of coffee staring at a blank computer screen.
An empty page.
An empty canvas on which I can write or create anything I desire.
And on this empty page, I can’t help but notice a metaphor for life.
Many, you see, will rush out this weekend to accumulate more and more physical possessions, filling their lives and their homes with more and more stuff. They will spend time and energy and money to accumulate things they don’t need. In so doing, they will write on the pages of their lives—a larger television, a new Amazon Echo, that stand-up mixer they always wanted, or the newest Barbie Dreamhouse for their child.
But me? I kinda like having a blank page in front of me.
Because a blank page represents possibility. A blank page allows me to write anything I want on it.
For this one day, it means I can cook pancakes for my kids when they wake up, or I can enjoy a cup of coffee with my wife. Because I am not rushing out to buy whatever product my local retailer has decided to discount today, I have time to write, create, and do work that I love. This afternoon, I may read a book or go hiking with my family after warm turkey sandwiches for lunch.
And those are just the opportunities that come to my mind. Who knows what my kids will decide would be fun for us to do today?
But no matter what they choose, I’ll be ready.
Because my Black Friday is an empty page and I can write anything I want on it.
This is what happens when we reject the empty notion of excessive consumerism: Our lives fall back under our own control. We get to write our own story.
We are freed to pursue fulfillment and meaning and happiness wherever we choose.
John li says
Thanksgiving-day is about giving, not getting. Thanks should be given to the HolyOne who gives us everything we need. Thanks
Dave Mack says
My wife and I spent Black Friday buying sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and peanuts in the shell to feed to birds and some furry little creatures at a local park. We are both unable to transform ourselves into wide eyed crazed shoppers, elbowing, shoving and yelling at others to buy something that we don’t need, or, don’t want because it has a SALE sticker attached to it. We know too many people who are easily sucked into the vacuum of this consumerism hype and waste their entire day trying to secure a “special deal.” More often than not, they pay by credit card and over time pay more along with interest costs than their “special deal” was worth. No Thank You …. I would rather spend Black Friday with my wife in the park feeding the birds and squirrels.
Lisa says
For many years, way before the internet, I worked shift work so I did my shopping for Christmas way ahead of time, in July and the last of it was usually done at outlet malls in the fall season of September and October. I also used to bake croutons or cookies and put them in festive tins that I shopped for . I practiced a thriftness/planning back then in the late 1990’s when I was single before I married my husband and I never shopped on Black friday- mainly because I was usually one of those people who had to work Thanksgiving and black friday .
I now do alot of my shopping online and still do,ahead of time. With free shipping, why fight these crowds, is my question. What could you possibly need? Black friday shopping has always mystified me. Now that I & my husband can run our own business and finally enjoy the family/holiday, we would rather stay put then go out to crowded, congested malls.
Clare says
Thank you Josh, I live on the sunshine coast in Australia. I have been a minimalist at heart all my life. Having kids made it harder but reading your posts has help me be stronger. Our kids now 6,9 and 10 have fully embraced the life and our lives are so full of gratitude! I want to tell everyone to follow your blog… less is more!
Thank you for your continued inspiration!
Jan Foselli says
This is the first year in many that I had to go to work. I actually enjoyed being at work – it was quieter, I could focus on a project and it was more relaxed. I’m not a shopper anyways, so I didn’t miss out on anything.
I just read your article (one day late) and I love how you explained your day as a blank canvas to do anything you want. That is how I would like my days to be but I’m not there yet. One day, I’ll wake up with a blank computer screen and design my day.
Thanks for all you do!
Tracy says
I’m generally on board with the anti-Black-Friday sentiments, but this year, I’m seeing another perspective. Firstly, I have a broken refrigerator, so I went out shopping for a new one today. It’s lousy timing since I have Thanksgiving leftovers to refrigerate, but it’s a blessing to find sales going on when I desperately need a new fridge.
Secondly, I live in Sonoma County, CA, where thousands of people have been displaced by the recent fires. Doubtless there are still greedy folks pushing and shoving out there at the malls, but there are also many replacing lost possessions who could really use a bargain right now. So around here we can’t assume that everybody already has enough.
Sharon says
I couldnt agree more UK have adopted it and not for one day, it seems to last a week! For me I like the feeling of space and less clutter-gives me a chance to breathe.
So me and my husband sat in an empty coffee shop and then went to the cinema-on our unlimited cards.
A perfect day xx
Ragil says
I’m not sure if you’re gonna read this, but I’ll write it anyway.
Your article is definitely an aha moment.
I haven’t completely and physically grasped minimalism but I’m getting there.
I am currently visiting USA and I live in Canada. I included “Black Friday” in my itinerary. I had the option, and I’m so glad I didn’t take it. Instead, I went to an infamous park, a historical place, and a boardwalk as this is my last day in the city.
I’m glad, because today felt a bit like jungle. I had to stand in line to get some food but I can’t imagine standing in line for things I don’t need that will clutter my house. Also, a relief that I don’t need to pack those things.
Had I been in Canada though, the temptation might be stronger. I have to remember this feelings for the next big sale event.
Thanks Joshua, love following your writing!
Isabelle says
While I usually appreciate your posts, I find that minimalists often tend to think in black and white, and this article is no exception. Because someone decides to do some shopping on Black Friday (very often online nowadays. I don’t know anyone that took a day off from work to go physically shop all day) does not mean that they will not take care of their usual business (like making pancakes for the kids…). It just means that they might take a bit of time out of their day to look for something they need or (gasp!) want and hopefully find it on sale. I find minimalism is very often touted as being so virtuous, being better than the “average dude who is neglecting is family to acquire things”…. like I said, very black and white. I bought a tablet on Black Friday because my old one is barely functionnal. I did spend time to research the best product for my needs and to look for a good price. Yet, I also took care of my kids, went to work, spent time with my friends, etc. ( I’m Canadian. We don’t go at it like savages here, so maybe my vision of Black Friday is different from the US citizens)
Ann says
I agree. I think it’s important not to be scornful of people who shop on Black Friday. It’s just another day. Here in the UK it is also Buy Nothing Day, but if everyone bought nothing then the Charity shop I work in would not make any money for the noble causes it supports. It’s a question of personal choice and we must remember everyone’s needs and circumstances are different.
Rosie says
I agree as well. I bought socks for half price for the family, after not buying them all year. The ones we have are in dire straights. I am a minimalist, and I do this every Black Friday at a local store that offers this great deal on great socks! I still like a good sale for something I actually need, and I’m sure others that have fewer resources than me appreciate this even more. As for me, I just like to be frugal and careful and intentional. Wish it all didn’t have to be tied to Thanksgiving, though.
Diana says
Lovely article!