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.
So 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.
10 Rules to Help You Live with Less Stuff | Be More with Less by Courtney Carver. When you let go of what doesn’t matter you can give more of yourself to what does.
How Billionaires Stole My Mind | Raptitude by David Cain. From the designer’s end, nothing is accidental about your morning phone habit.
Here’s How I (Painlessly!) Purged 80 Percent of My Closet | Apartment Therapy by Marlen Komar. “This is the story of how I stopped punishing myself with crap clothes, and slowly but surely did away with the majority of my wardrobe.”
I Planned My Wedding in 5 Days. You Could, Too. | The New York Times by Emily Hardman. With each social expectation for weddings, I asked myself: “Does this achieve the goal of making the people at my wedding feel loved and appreciated for the role they play in my life? Will it help strengthen my marriage and the promises we made to each other?” If the answer was no, I didn’t waste any more time.
Littleblackdomicile says
Applying the have more with less in our homes decor can be breath taking. Freeing up all the clutter let’s our true passions be front and center. Flowers are always a favorite of mine too. I enjoy them to the max and then let them go. -Laurel Bledsoe
Ladysmartypants says
Thank you for sharing these inspirational articles, they really made a pleasant read, made me smile and helped me on my journey.
Especially since I’m only at the beginning, I’m grateful for every bit of inspiration.
Have a lovely sunday,
Smarty
Tammy says
I agree, the reads were great. I hope Emily Hardman starts a new trend in weddings and wedding planning. So refreshing.
Kaylee says
This is my favorite edition of Weekend Reads that I’ve read. I really enjoyed all 4 posts but especially the NYT piece. Thanks so much for sharing these!
Abbie says
Thank you, Joshua, for several good reads. I appreciate how each of these is even off the minimalism beaten path a little!
Ellen Landreth says
The first link about 10 rules to live by doesn’t work and that really sounded good to me. My hubby said that for Mother’s Day he would start de-cluttering his man cave. (I should send you a picture–it is horrible). That sounded like it might help. Shucks!
joshua becker says
It’s working for me Ellen.
Lois Danks says
It goes to a post about the 333 getting rid of clothes, not the one you mentioned!
Sander says
You have probably clicked on the second part (Be more with less) which takes you to the overall blog. If you click on the first segment (10 Rules…) you will go the the specific blog post.
Gabi Coatsworth says
The one area in which I d don’t even try to use minimalist principles is flowers. I love them in my garden and home – they make me feel good. So the more the merrier. And Mother’s Day is one of the big flower weekends here. I’m looking forward to almost too many flowers – almost!
Mona says
My journey to down sizing my life began in 2000 from a 3-bedroom to a studio apartment. After 3 years into a small 1-bedroom. After 3 years a larger 1-bedroom. During that time I had begun to collect objects here and there until I realized I had items I didn’t use and didn’t need. So I did a deep clean-out of every area of my place. That was 2006. Since then I’ve had to do small clean-out times, but they have been easy since I’m really enjoying having less to deal with since most isn’t used very often. Also I don’t want my son to have to deal with a lot of ‘stuff’ that he would never have any use for in his life. I find I really do have tie for other interests and can enjoy them in a relaxed atmosphere. Also being retired opens me for doing what I wasn’t able to do when working even just part time. All in all I really enjoy living a minimal lifestyle.
Rebecca M says
Thank you for all of your posts and your book. I’m finding them really useful. I live in the UK and have been very slowly clearing away clothes for a few years and am now starting on the house. I’ve got young children at home full-time with me so it’s a slow process fitted around the family and Saturday mornings when my husband takes the children swimming but it’s already making a difference to how calm we feel at home and how easy it is to run the house. I’ve noticed lots of things since we started but the two things I wanted to comment on here is that since I chucked out most of my clothes and a lot of the girls the laundry is easier. I’m still doing as much washing but because I don’t have lots of outfits to resort to and only wear about four main ones I have to keep on top of the washing and wash and sort a couple of loads each day. The other thing that I have noticed is that during the sorting out process a lot of the things being thrown out are gifts! Both clothes and household articles. This has made me think about my gift giving. I’m often guilty of giving people things I like and imposing my taste on them, rather than finding out what they really want or perhaps not giving them an object and giving them an experience instead. I’m also thinking that I should step back from giving children material presents and maybe choose an experience instead, such as cinema vouchers or climbing gym vouchers. Although I don’t want to overload other people’s schedules either! A lot to think about. I will try and post more soon. I’m not going to do my own blog but looking forward to contributing via the comment sections to other people’s.
Ray says
I’m in the beginning of turning over a new leaf and be minimal. I have my mind on a couple of reads on your list, I think I’ll find them helpful.
Underayted Ray
http://www.underaytedray.co.uk/