Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of everything that distracts us from it. It requires a conscious decision because it is a countercultural lifestyle that stands against the culture of overconsumption that surrounds us.
The world we live in is not friendly to the pursuit of minimalism. Its tendencies and relentless advertising campaigns call us to acquire more, better, faster, and newer. The journey of finding simplicity requires consistent inspiration.
For that reason, I hope you will make an effort this weekend to find a quiet moment with a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy some of these hand-picked articles to encourage more simplicity in your life.
The Tyranny of Convenience | The New York Times by Tim Wu. We must never forget the joy of doing something slow and something difficult, the satisfaction of not doing what is easiest.
Embrace Anti-Consumerism and Feel Like a Millionaire After 60 | Sixty + Me by Elizabeth Dunkel. Consumerism is trying to part you with your money.
A Minimalist Movement Takes Root in Singapore | The Business Times by Helmi Yusuf. “It’s definitely a movement that has gained traction among millennials like us who, among other reasons, want to leave the world a better place for future generations.”
Jan says
I have only discovered minimalism in the last several years, and when I see what i have, especially in the way of jewelry, I feel so sad about the waste of money. I thought it would make me happy, and now I feel like I need to get rid of it because it makes me unhappy!
Sarah says
Thank you for the link to the article about digital decluttering! It was really helpful.
Leslie A Baird says
It seems like we are in a never ending spiral of spending and consumerism. I am a bird watcher, naturalist, survivorist, and now minimalist
Carmen Crum says
Agree 100%. By far the best reading of the week are your weekly emails. Thank you Joshua. Today I read the first one to my husband as we drove up the ski hill. So great to push ourselves to think different than the world around us, after all, we aren’t meant to conform to the patterns of this world, are we? Thank you for being such a good friend. Friendship means – sharing insider knowledge. John 15:15. Thanks for sharing and investing in the lives of those you encounter.
Emily says
Joshua,
These weekend links are always a highlight! Thank you for continuing this practice. It means a lot to so many of your readers!
britney says
Definitely some good reads! Thank you
Secret Agent Woman says
Thanks for the links – I’ve got them all pulled up to read. The first (which I have read) struck me because I’ve often thought about how convenience in food is damaging our health. I keep mostly to a whole foods diet and find the chopping, sautéing, bread dough kneading and so on to be extremely meditative. I don’t even like to use kitchen gadgets – give me a good knife any day. Similarly, it’s more convenient to use a gas-powered leaf blower rather than a rake or chemicals rather than hand-weeding, but at what cost? We are almost slaves to convenience.
Abbie says
Thanks, Joshua, for a fresh (or especially eclectic!) mix of articles! This group was a refreshing reminder of how applicable minimalism is around the world and for all people. So glad you are a part of spreading it to save us from consumerism lies and show us there is another, different way to live.
Also, I just keep adding places to those I will visit …
Amy says
I enjoyed reading The Tyranny of Convenience, thanks for sharing! Along the same line as the article, I recently decided to stop drinking coffee in to-go cups. Not just the throw away paper cups that you get at a coffee shop, but also the insulated thermal mugs. My reasoning is that coffee should be enjoyed, not gulped down while driving to work or running errands. Walking around with a coffee cup in my hand is actually really cumbersome, plus the lids tend to leak, so it’s been much more enjoyable to slow down and enjoy my coffee in a ceramic mug.
Slackerjo says
I agree. A few years ago Campbell’s try to market a convenient soup that you heat and chug. Nooooooo. Some things should be savoured!
Lisa Zahn says
I agree with this so much and am so glad to see someone else is doing this, in a world full of coffee to go. If I can’t sit at a coffee shop and use a real mug, I rarely find it worth getting a coffee or tea. The one exception to this is starting out on a road trip, I just love having a coffee or tea to take along. I don’t know why, but it’s part of the “road trip romance” for me, and becomes part of the fun. Otherwise, I think we should savor our hot beverages in real cups as often as possible.
FrannyandDanny says
Thanks for some new and intriguing links.
joshua becker says
You are welcome.