Never underestimate the importance of abandoning crap you don’t need.
Encouragement is important in all areas of life, but especially when trying to live a life different than those around us.
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.
Why I Gave Up a $95,000 Job to Move to the Caribbean and Scoop Ice Cream | Esquire by Noelle Hancock. Four years ago, Noelle dismantled her life in New York and headed to a place where she knew no one.
How To Help Your Kids Get Rid of Stuff | TIME Magazine by Carey Wallace. How do you recognize a house that has kids in it? By all the stuff. Here are some solutions.
What Will You Be Remembered For? | Patrick Rhone by Patrick Rhone. Our “yes” should only be given to those things that, if you were gone tomorrow, you wouldn’t mind being remembered for.
The Amazing New Thing | The New York Times by Tom Gauld. Ooh!
Thank you for this post. I read most of the links and they are very inspiring/funny. I plan to print one off and use as inspiration for my future goals. :-)
The post by Noelle Hancock was just yummy and inspiring.
Thanks for sharing these posts. It really mean to us.
I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your posts. My RSS feed is a mishmash of design, food, parenting, tech, and minimalism blogs. I enjoy them all for different reasons, but find myself saving the minimalism blog posts for last. I find they clear my mind and reset my perspective. I often kindly chide myself for being wooed by some *thing* in an earlier post as I’m reminded of what matters.
I particularly look forward to each of your well-curated Weekend Reads posts. You truly inspire me weekly to further pursue a minimalist existence – living in the present without stuff clouding my vision or taking my time from what really matters. Thank you.
In the article, “How to Help Your Kids Get Rid of Stuff”…
“We began questioning everything we had allowed into our life,” Becker says. “Is this really benefiting us? Or is it just there because everyone else is doing it?”
I love this, because it is not just about stuff. When we start doing this, letting go of items in our homes that our unimportant, it continues in other areas, and we realize just how congested we really were, in so many ways. And then we get better. And we move forward, with purpose.
I appreciate the questions to pose to kids regarding having things in the Time article.
Personally I try to pay attention to what my daughter plays with. No play then it goes elsewhere. I have moved 2 doll houses out of the house thinking she would play with them and then they sat for ages. I think the things that remain too long are those I feel sentimental about. I am even prone to stereotyping my daughter( “girls need a doll house”)
One thing that has helped in our life is never having toys, ever in the family space or at the meal table. My friends are astounded at this because kids apparently do not have enough space in their rooms and need to take over the family room. My daughter’s room is where her toys live.Not many, the things she plays with. If I notice she is not playing with something then I will speak with her about the value of keeping it.
We have an over abundance of art and craft items as she is into this activity and will craft and draw all day. I store them discreetly. We use the library to rotate books rather than hold onto them.
Kids make us sentimental and we want to keep things to “help” them ( toys we might also like) and every picture, art piece or photo is important. I truly believe teaching children the value of discerning what is important is the key to living minimally.
Dear Joshua,
Your writing is so inspiring but more than that it is refreshing. Your words inspire action in my life and I appreciate that. I enjoy reading every weekend the articles that you pick out. It is like having the best cup of coffee and chocolate to relax and indulge. I look forward to every article. May God truly bless you and your family.
Respectfully,
Melissa Guerrero
I always appreciate reading how others have accomplished their move toward simplicity. It’s so difficult when the prevailing message is more, more, more.
I am SO thankful to have found your blog! At the beginning of this year, (even before this), God began to deal with my family and me about downsizing and eliminating the excess from our lives. We seem to feel a sense of “urgency” to do this, and the farther we go on this journey, the more liberated we feel. It is such a blessing to be able to bless others and GIVE AWAY what we don’t want, need, and use. We have a very long way to go, but with each step, we are feeling God’s approval and a deeper sense of contentment. It is odd how having less makes us more content, but it is like the Apostle Paul exhorted us…having food and raiment, we should be content. I think Jesus’ whole life screams minimalism, and I think that is why it appeals to me so much…it is a part of discipleship and good stewardship to have only what will enrich our pilgrimage through life. I could go on and on, but I mainly just wanted to tell you that I am very grateful to have found your blog, and I so appreciate the way it is inspiring my family and me to continue this quest God has led us to. May He bless you and your family as you continue to minister by example. He is using you in big ways! I just finished listening to your talk on “Sounds Like A Movement”. It was wonderful.
Amen! :)
thankyou joshua and to my friend who first starting liking your posts on facebook. I am a mother of two who hates clutter but also hates waste. I didnt realise how much my stress of constantly trying to sort out and clean up the items we didnt need was actually affecting my ability to just be in the moment with my family and to stop organising and play with my kids.
I’m so glad you’re here, Joshua. :) :) :) Thank you for all you do! :) :) :) This blog has been life changing. Because of it, so many people are living better lives and are able to share their blessings with others who may not be as fortunate. I already was on a journey to minimalism, but had no guidance. Now of-course I have the best! Today my sister and I are treating a lady out to lunch (one who could use some good things to come her way). We are also showering her with gifts. She needs and deserves them. It’s been so much fun planning this and I can’t wait! God is chasing her down with His blessings and I am so glad to be His instrument. Luckily I have a wonderful sister who’s on-board. yay!!!