Never underestimate the importance of removing stuff you don’t need.
Encouragement provides us with motivation to persevere. It invites us to dream dreams of significance for our lives. And it begs us to work diligently with optimism and promise.
Overcoming the pull of consumerism is a difficult challenge regardless of our stage in life. Simplicity requires encouragement. To that end, I hope you will find motivation in these articles below.
Each post was intentionally chosen to inspire simplicity in your life. For maximum effect, find a quiet moment this weekend and enjoy them with a fresh cup of coffee or tea.
I’m Done with Stuff | No Sidebar by Heather Aardema. I’ve found a path I’m passionate about and in the process I’ve lost my desire for massive quantities of mass-produced stuff.
The Ultimate Productivity Hack is Saying No | James Clear by James Clear. No is a decision. Yes is a responsibility.
‘The Best Thing You Can Do Is Not Buy More Stuff,’ Says ‘Secondhand’ Expert | NPR by Terry Gross. Your average thrift store in the United States only sells about one-third of the stuff that ends up on its shelves. The rest of the stuff ends up somewhere else.
The Way of Less | Zen Habits by Leo Babauta. The modern world is one of more, more and still more. What would it be like to declutter our lives and live with less?
I would like to thank you Joshua for your encouragement to finally help clear my very small home of the years of clutter. I find your emails a real inspiration and enjoy that they pop up in my “in box” every so often just to keep me motivated! I retired early at the end of August this year (from a very stressful job) and even though I had signed up to receiving your emails it took nearly 3 months before I was in the right frame of mind to start my clutter clearing. What did finally push me into action was that I found that some of my carpet had got the dreaded carpet beetle (yuck) and of course the clutter now has to go before the carpet can get ripped up and replaced with vinyl. I have taken loads of boxes of really lovely clothes (all too small now) to the hospice shop and felt marvelous and energized. Then I had a week of feeling rather flat and low as I ground to a bit of a halt. I had booked to have some air-conditioning installed on 10th December so of course that gave me some extra motivation to clear a space for the workmen to manoeuvre in such small rooms. So, it seems that every now and then my motivation plateaus out, but I then get another “push” to continue my clutter clearing! Take heart those of you who are struggling with the motivation just to start, because one day you will feel ready to do so, and then it does get easier day by day!
It took me a long time to get comfortable with saying “No.” James Clear reminds us why saying no matters. I learned that it was possible to politely say no to requests. Other people will spend your time for you if you let them.
“Other people will spend your time for you if you let them.” That’s powerful stuff! I think that I can actually start my mental decluttering journey with your sentence. Thank you for that.
I just read something from you that this woman was talking about how her wedding china was who she is and it really hit hard. I’ve kept the very last few books on quilting. I don’t have the space or money to do any more quilting and haven’t for 16 years. Yes, 16 years and I still grapple with letting go of the last vestiges of that hobby. So I know now that it’s not who I am. What a relief. I still have some of my mom’s vases that she held onto. She died nearly six years ago and they aren’t her. So these were a sad and wonderful moments. I’ll keep reading. Thanks.
I read your blog on a constant basis to keep myself on track. I’m a little surprised at myself that I never had a passing thought as to where my donations go. Somehow I thought I was helping others but it appears that isn’t always the case. The I’m Done With Stuff article was excellent also. Years ago there was excitement in a purchase. Now I love the peace that comes over me when I walk away. Thank you.
Thank you Joshua! Merry Christmas to you and your family. I am so thankful for your ministry!
Dear Martha,You have expressed my thoughts exactly Thankyou & a Blessed Christmas to you & yours.
I’m partway through the book “Secondhand” and it is fascinating. Highly recommended!
Hi Joshua,
I would like to thank you for this wonderful idea which makes everybody feel free and happy. I have been folowing your news and articles since 2015. You have a very hard and sometimes exhausting task. These days there is an atmosphere which encourage everyone to buy more (specially around Christmas) and you are så brave to swim in the opposite direction. Yesterday I was moving to my new apartment. I was thinking about you and your words all the time. Because I did not have any idea how much stuff (better to say junks) I had before I start packing! I admire you and wish you success.
From Sweden Borna Sedaghat