Fill your life with stories to tell, not stuff to show.
The simplicity/minimalism movement is a beautiful community. And I enjoy any opportunity to promote writing that encourages people to live more by owning less.
I invite you to fix yourself a nice warm cup of coffee or tea. Find a quiet moment this weekend. And enjoy some encouraging words to inspire more simplicity in your life today.
These 17 Rules for Simple Living Are the Best I’ve Ever Seen | Medium by Charlie Brown. Written by minimalists much smarter than me.
How to Make the Internet Small Again | Raptitude by David Cain. When you take a break from the activities you know are eroding your attention span—mostly phone and internet habits–you notice it improving after only a day or two.
Why Perfectionism Stops Us from Creating New Habits | Zen Habits by Leo Babauta. Our perfect idea of how our new habit will go is pretty much never how it actually goes.
The Cycle of Minimalism | No Sidebar by Emily McDermott. Our desire to acquire and consume is complex and is impacted by culture, among other factors.
A Guide to Getting Rid of Almost Everything | The New Yorker by Patricia Marx. Once you’ve thanked and said goodbye to the items that do not spark joy, what can you do with them?
10 Reasons to Watch Less Television | Joshua Becker on YouTube
I have turned off the television part but still use the set to stream films.
I have not missed television at all.
Tomorrow 1 March I am starting 30 days of minimalism . I have too much I no longer use.Inspired by the Netflix documentary.Hoping to feel freeer.???
I got rid of my television approximately 30 years ago. (At the time, Hill Street Blues was coming to an end in 1986-87.) I haven’t seen anything since; no shows, no news, no Olympics, nothing. I remember the first night without it being very uncomfortable. I paced the house, having no idea what to do with myself. But two weeks later, things had been transformed for me. I had SO much more time! I was no longer tied to a clock (when “xx” show came on) and it seemed like there were hours more between coming home from work and bedtime.
It is now 2022 and I haven’t any idea of what television offers anymore. The names of today’s actors mean nothing. My living room’s furnishings no longer revolve around the television box (or screen these days–and, holy cow!, those screen sizes are unreal). I cannot participate in any discussion about televised events.
AND . . . my entire attitude toward life changed. This wasn’t due solely to television but cutting out all of the drama and hate and violence shown on it makes me not fear life any more. I am free and I am happy and I do not fear the real world that the fake world (of television) tries to convince me is real.
My placing an ad in my local newspaper that day and watching a man haul it off that evening is the best thing I ever did. There was a lot of trepidation that day and the next. But there’s been a lot more richness in my life since then.
What a great selection of articles. Thank you so much Joshua for helping me stay on track. Time to make more donations!