Never underestimate the importance of removing possessions 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.
How to Live a Rich Modern Life Without Debt | The Simple Dollar by Trent Hamm. Stop buying stuff you won’t remember in a week.
Stuff-Focus | Exile Lifestyle by Colin Wright. The real power of minimalism is that it allows us to pull away from our latent stuff-focus so that we might align ourselves with self-actualization and happiness, instead.
8 Things That Make You Happier: Backed by Research | TIME Magazine by Eric Barker. Wouldn’t you love a real list of things that make you happier? Here’s what scientific research says will work.
9 New Simple Living Blogs I Highly Recommend | Becoming Minimalist by Joshua Becker. Earlier this week I posted a list of simple-living blogs I think you might find helpful. If you need more reading (or just missed the list), here it is.
Image: Minimography
Thanks, Joshua.
Choices – that’s how it works. Throughout every single day.
I had a look at the Time’s 8 items to improve happiness: end each day with a sensible reflection – write down three good things that occurred that day.
Will do just that.
Danie
Hi Josh, I like the idea of declaring a shopping ban. I have not shopped for nearly a year now. But I never see it as a shopping ban. When I thought about what I actually needed and didn’t, the urge to shop just went away. Being consciously and openly declaring it as a challenge actually makes is a lot more powerful. I love it! I’m curious with Cait’s approach and will definitely check it out.
I have transitioned to simple living for almost two years now. Decluttering nearly 75% of my stuffs. As my house renovation is coming to an end, there will be more opportunities to put things in order and continue to purge the stuff out of the home. It has been an amazing journey to live lightly without any baggage.
Your blog has been a guiding light.
Thanks.
love these suggestions! I’ve read the first one by Cait Flanders before, great read. I’ll have to check the rest of these out.
Thanks, these blogposts is always one of the week’s highlights to read!
We’re Swedens biggest minimalist-blog and just started inspiring and spreading our minimalist journey also at Instagram (minimalisterna). It would be interesting to read how you look at Instagram. Who’re you following and why, what’s you purpose at Instagram, and how do you avoid it to become just another time consuming social media.
I’m still working on the housing piece. To own or to rent? I realize that it is a personal desire or need for each person. Mortgage=debt. Renting=zero tax write offs and less security than owning your own home. However, no one ‘owns’ their home if a bank holds a mortgage. I am EXTREMELY CONFLICTED over this issue. Would love to see some comments.
My husband and I have rented for years. I know some feel that it is throwing money away because its not really ever going to be yours. I like the security of not having to spend extra money on things like a leaky roof, broken hot water heater etc. Plus we are month to month, no contract. We can leave and move anywhere we want and not have to worry about how long it will take to sell. I like it because I dont feel tied down. My husband is a truck driver and in two years when my youngest graduates Highschool I plan on quitting my job and going over the road with him 1/2 to 3/4 of the year. Thats why I have been working on minimalism the last year. To get rid of debt and go to a smaller place so we can make this happen.
Thanks, Michelle for your response. Mobility and not having to invest in costly repairs are your main reasons for renting, not owning. I like your future plan of spending time with your husband. So many leave that until they retire and it is too late.
Hi Lori,
My wife and I have been all over the Phoenix area because of being conflicted on this issue. I can’t say that I have a definitive answer or that one exists across the board for everyone. What I can say is that since 2010 we’ve rented, owned, rented, rented, rented, and now we own again. We’ve finally decided to stay put and pay off the expenses we incurred from moving so much.
I think what’s important is to pick what fits your plan and stick with it. We spent a lot of time thinking “if only this…” or “once we get this done…” then we’ll really be able to enjoy life. We’ve just made the decision to enjoy now. It helps that we’re in a much smaller house that fits us better than the old one!
In light of the “removing possessions you don’t need”, how about food items? If you give up coffee you’ll be able to clear more space on the counter, and wherever you keep the drug stash (ie coffee beans or powder). Saves money too. Also you’re no longer tethered to something that controls you and your moods.
If you think coffee is a need then you’d benefit most from giving it up. Sure, you’re not addicted, can quit anytime, or don’t want to quit as you get so much enjoyment from your morning ritual, excuse etc, which is fine. But since you’re being challenged to live minimally, consider weaning yourself off a socially acceptable but still addictive drug? Go without for a year.
And extend all that to foods you don’t need (high fat, high sodium, high sugar, high caloric crap). Bacon, for example. If you don’t find it so salty it makes you want to spit it out in disgust then you already have far too much salt in your regular diet…the more salt you add the more you need to add to get the same taste sensation (like a drug). The downside to cutting salt from your diet is that your favourite prepared foods will eventually taste too salty, and you’ll save loads of money at the grocery store not buying the stuff they stick in the middle aisles. And forget eating restaurant food ( more saved money).
Yeah, not easy. Missing sugar is okay (repels me now), but some days I want to grab a bag of potato chips and run screaming in triumph out the stores while stuffing handfuls into my mouth (actually I’d savour the first few before stuffing them in faster and faster…I fell off the wagon a few times, but they were so salty I couldn’t finish them. Felt like I had to drink a gallon of water before I felt rehydrated again).
Not for everyone though. Just something to consider. Many can easily find a good balance, but I can’t so I avoid things that are addictive in the first place rather than try and kick them after I get addicted.
I never thought of the food piece! Aren’t you clever?
Wow. I think that is clever.
It’s minimalism on another level. Or is it still minimalism? I think I can manage all that. Question is how long before I’m able to pull it off.
Joshua, thanks for these “resources!” I love it when you refer us to more inspiration!
Just want to thank you for assembling your weekend reads — I look forward to it every week and have found a lot of interesting blogs and resources from it. :)
Thank you for your blog, Joshua. It’s been a huge encouragement to me. I desired a simple lifestyle long before my husband did. I was so discouraged at first, thinking he’d never get on board. He’s now on board! A year ago, we got rid of 90% of our stuff. Now we’re looking to rid our home of another 70% or so. We’re even considering saving up for an RV … to live in with our three kids so we can embrace what we love the most – the outdoors and freedom.
Cait—always so glad to see you here in the mix. :)
You are such an inspiration. It’s nice to have a sisterhood of minimalists.
Thanks Joshua for always sharing your best! :)
You are the sweetest, Judy!
Thanks for these suggestions, and I plan to check them out. One I like and read regularly is Assortment by Carmella Rayone. She calls herself “a curator of moments.” Her writing and photos are lovely, but, more importantly, her lifestyle is beautiful.
In agreement.. I also follow assortment. Streamlined life focused on essentials.
I also follow Assortment. What photos! A picture really does tell a story.