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 cup of coffee, cocoa, or tea. Find a quiet moment this weekend. And enjoy some encouraging words to inspire more simplicity in your life today.
The Life-Changing Joy of Tidying My Prison Cell | Prison Journalism Project by Leo Cardez. It’s not the KonMari Method. But the Convict Method shares a similar result.
Why Good Enough is Better than the Best | The Tiny House of Happiness by Daniel Torrance. For many of us, the temptation is to think that changing our external circumstances, whether that means buying a bigger house, getting a promotion at work, owning nicer clothes, or upgrading our smart phone, will make us happier.
Common Problems in Life That Minimalism Can Solve | No Sidebar by Mollie Donghia. I’ll share six common problems that many of us face and how practicing minimalism can be the key towards moving forward.
Most Phone Use is a Tragic Loss of Life | Raptitude by David Cain. Given the way that you use your phone, what really is being gained, what really is being lost, and will you be happy having made the exchange?
1440. If you are looking for unbiased, summarized news headlines, 1440 is a free daily newsletter that both Kim and I have been enjoying. They do a great job of curating important and interesting news headlines—presented without any political bias. It’s like a breath of fresh air! And I thought you might like it too.
Flying with Just a Carry-on Can Save You Money and Stress. Here’s How to Do it with Ease. | Arizona Republic by Michael Salerno. As the spring break travel season approaches, consider flying with just a carry-on bag this time. It may mean selecting your items judiciously and leaving a few things behind, but you’ll save money on fees as well as time because you won’t have to stand in line to check your bag or crowd around the luggage carousel to retrieve it.
Recently Released Inspiring Videos
10 Steps to Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck | YouTube by Joshua Becker. 7 in 10 Americans live paycheck to paycheck. But you don’t need to be one of them.
The One Sentence You Need Each Day to Set Your Intention | YouTube by Joshua Becker. To choose a life that is not wasted, but to center our energies on pursuits of lasting value is one of the best decisions we can make.
Boy oh boy, did The Life-Changing Joy of Tidying My Prison Cell hit home. I think we can all learn a lot from this piece, about how there but for the grace of go us and we sometimes imprison ourselves with stuff. Great piece – thank you to the writer and best wishes to them.
I really enjoyed Why Good Enough Is Better. I’m taking a quick break from seriously paring down my craft supplies so I can donate. Over the years I kept thinking that if I had these dies or that rubber stamp I’d be set but I just kept adding. Now I have so much stuff it’s overwhelming and instead of making something I’m too overwhelmed to start. I need breathing room. I’ve also come to the realization that the less I have the more creative I am. Thanks so much Joshua, you are a great help to me.
The decluttering inmate essay reminded me of a recent story I read about a humanities professor who teaches in prison. He noted that, unlike the university kids, the inmates have no smart phones to distract them, and are far more engaged in his classes. They may be a captive audience (pun unintended) but still, less distractions open the door to better experiences.
I’m a school administrator. More and more, we are limiting phone usage in school because kids just aren’t able to keep themselves from the pull of their digital addictions which take them away from engaging with their lessons and, importantly, each other face to face.
Loved tidying my prison cell! Where do you get this stuff Bro Becker? My best to Smitty
These were great ideas even from the convict! Thank you so much. I read all your stuff.