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 intentionality 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.
Your Desk Will Not Attend Your Funeral | Medium by Todd Brison. When you close your eyes for the last time, the only remnants of a life once lived will be a box, varying in size and style, and the people you affected positively.
I gave up TV, then qualified for Olympic marathon trials and got my PhD | The Washington Post by Teal Burrell. A few years ago, I realized — despite feeling constantly frazzled and busy — that I wasted hours clicking through shows I barely liked or bingeing on series I’d already seen.
Next boss: We’re losing sales because people don’t want to buy more ‘stuff’ | Evening Standard by Jonathan Prynn & Clare Hutchinson. These numbers demonstrate the continuing trend towards spending on experiences away from ‘things.’
What if All I Want is a Mediocre Life? | A Life in Progress by Krista O’Reilly-Davi-Digui. The world is such a noisy place. Loud, haranguing voices lecturing me to hustle, to improve, build, and grasp for more. But what if I just don’t have it in me? What if all the striving for excellence leaves me sad, worn out, depleted?
How To Kill Your Phone Addiction with 4 Settings, 1 Hair Band, & Post-It Note | Digital Telepathy by Brad Soroka. Because drastic times call for drastic measures.
Bryin says
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/18/opinion/the-class-politics-of-decluttering.html?_r=1
Just something I came across, not pertinent to this thread but to minimalism in general
Emily says
These articles were really inspiring and thought provoking. I am trying to start cutting back on the excess stuff in my life and having these articles here helps me refocus and remind me why I am trying to do that in the first place.
Emily | http://emilytrinh.com
Betsy says
Thank you for posting the article from A Life In Progress. I have to confess that it brought emotions out in me. I’m 66 and worked since I was 14. I’m retired last year mainly due to some health issues. Sometimes I ask myself if I should be doing more. Am I worth talking to if I don’t have a job to talk about? I keep our house going, take care of my husband, try to help my children out with their children, listen to friends going through lives battles and try to give them comfort. This article made me realize I need to cut myself some slack.
Alice says
I’m 66 yrs. living on a small income,I have no credit card debt and have learned to live on my income.When I want something I bake and sell cookies. I stumbled upon this page and was glad to see that there are people who want to live with less stuff.After getting rid of stuff I didn’t want or need I felt lighter not having debt is a amazing feeling, If I don’t have the cash I don’t need it.It feels good.
Shannon says
I look forward to the Weekend Reads. I have signed up to follow other blogs, but more often than not, I unsubscribe – often because the content/advertising balance is highly weighted on the advertising side. Other times I unsubscribe because I receive too many emails per week. Anyway, I really value the content that you share. Many of the articles make me think and I enjoy reading more articles by those authors. Thank you!
SHARON JOHNSON says
I look forward to each Saturday and the Weekend Reads. It’s a touchstone after a hectic week of living. They broaden my world and connect me to others I might never have heard of otherwise. I’d say I was a member of the Weekend Reads Fan Club!!
Krista O'Reilly-Davi-Digui says
The grey rock – love that! What a delight this morning to see you shared my post; thank you ☺️
Abbie says
I have now read the mediocre life post from TWO different collections of good reads! And it is just what I want – a wonderful life.
JOANN WATKINS says
I am so overwhelmed with so much stuff even though I am trying to minimize. It has just hit me how much stuff Americans have…look at all the Goodwill stores overflowing. All the thrift stores … consignment stores. When is enough enough? Just look at all the storage units around the US? We are drowning in so much STUFF! Sad, isn’t?
Sharon says
When my son was stationed in Germany, when in the Army, I asked him what they do not have in Germany that we have in the States. He said that they didn’t have resale or rummage shops. In our country, we have excess of everything. He never saw any in Europe either.
Pat R. says
Thank you for sending these posts each weekend. I’m in the process of minimalizing my life, and it’s so overwhelming (and exciting also!) at times. It’s so nice to stop, sit, and take the time to read and refocus each weekend.
Jeffrey Pillow says
“Your Desk…” is such a simple but powerful message.
And “What If All I Want…” That’s exactly how I feel in my life right now. There is so much pressure from every angle. Very refreshing read I will return to again and again as a reminder to myself.
Thanks for sharing.