Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of everything that distracts us from it. It requires a conscious decision because it is a countercultural lifestyle that stands against the culture of overconsumption that surrounds us.
The world we live in is not friendly to the pursuit of minimalism. Its tendencies and relentless advertising campaigns call us to acquire more, better, faster, and newer. The journey of finding simplicity requires consistent inspiration.
For that reason, I hope you will make an effort this weekend to find a quiet moment with a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy some of these hand-picked articles to encourage more simplicity in your life.
A Survivalist Filled His Massive Basement With Food—Then decided Puerto Rico needed it more | The Washington Post by Kristine Phillips. The food that the Badames had intended to eat in case of crisis will now feed starving people in two Puerto Rican towns devastated by Hurricane Maria.
This Technique Might Actually Clear Your Clutter Once and For All | News.com.au by Hannah-Rose Yee. The new decluttering trend is called Swedish Death Cleaning and it’s a game-changer.
I Didn’t Understand Money So I Stopped Calling It Money | TIME by Whitney Cummings. To change the way I thought about money, I started substituting the word “money” with the word “freedom.”
Buy Nothing Project: Free clothes, toys, food — even a wedding | The Seattle Times by Scott Greenstone. Inspired by a Himalayan village society, Buy Nothing links a half-million people with their neighbors and eschews consumerism.
Tracy says
Thank you for this weeks reading! Very inspiring – especially the buy nothing group which I will be looking to join in my local area.
trina says
The Swedish death cleaning article made me laugh. A few years ago, I helped my church congregation clean out the house of an elderly couple (who I didn’t even know) and it was … bad … I immediately called my parents who are nowhere near the end of their lives and said, “Please don’t leave us that kind of mess.” They obviously took it to heart because the last 2 years prior to my dad’s retirement, they did Swedish death cleaning. At retirement, they downsized from a 2500 sq-ft house to a 500 sq-ft apartment. There are a few heirlooms that they still have that are “marked” for this or that person, and we’ll have to sell their basic furniture and car when they’re gone … but the mess is gone. Hooray!
Susan says
Thank you for you weekly articles. I truly look foward to it because it inspires me with new ideas. Please keep up the great work. Also, seeing the latee and the manicure reminds me to take care of myself and enjoy quiet life moments or experiences. As a grandchild of Pre-American Rev and Native American ancestors who also lived through the great depression, I have a treasure trove of personal favorites and family heirlooms. Unfortunately sometimes I feel like I live in a museum. My siblings who are interested in the items currently do not room or are soon moving. Others just want to profit off them. So after a poor showing at this weekends yard sale, I’ve decided to keep only the items I use and find joy in. Also to stop “saving my best” for company. I’m donating gently used & small items to the church thrift shop. Then I’ll sell anything of value on line. I figure that this museum curator should now start collecting her back storage fees.
Thank you & best wishes, Susan
Susan says
Opps! Corrected typos & didn’t realize the duplicate entry
So sorry, enjoy your day.
Susan says
Thank you for you weekly aticle. I truly look foward to it because it imspires me with new ideas. Please keep up the great work. Also, seeing yhe latee and the manicure reminds me to take care of myself and enjoy quiet life moments or experiences. As a grandchild of Pre-American Rev and Native American ancestors who also lived through the great depression, I have a treasure trove of personal favorites and family heirlooms. Unfortunately sometimes I feel like I live in a museum. My siblings who are interested in the items currently do not room or are soon moving. Others just want to profit off them. So after a poor showing at this weekends yard sale, I’ve decided to keep only the items I use and find joy in. Also to stop “saving my best” for company. I’m donating gently used & small items to the church thrift shop. Then I’ll sell anything of value on line. I figure that this museum curator should now start collecting her back storage fees.
Thank you & best wishes, Susan
Abbie says
I LOVE the idea of substituting the word freedom for money – really puts spending into perspective. Might be a good way to talk to my children about money choices as well.
My parents have actually started this later-in-life purging, not because they are Swedish, though! I am thankful because not only does it make the future easier, my mom and I get to talk about and look at some of the things she finds.
Sandy says
I am a frequent reader of your blog. You always share interesting stories and I love them.
Tara says
Thanks for sharing the survivalist story! That was in my neighborhood. Tons of people showed up to see this architects creations. Such a moving story, the Puerto Rican family sold out every day from their food truck! ❤️ Community support is what we’re all about here.
John says
I enjoyed the “death cleaning” article. When my father passed away we had a lot of stuff to deal with. After that experience, I started looking at my own life. Thus began to path to minimalism.
Abbie says
My parents did the same thing!
Denisamom says
Tough crowd ? I actually sort of understood whitneys point. I’m not her biggest personal fan, however, replacing the word money with freedom makes sense to me. I’m in like stage 3 of purging/decluttering. It’s getting easier to toss and empty as time goes on, and while I’m way better at controlling purchases and spending, I still want to be better and I have weak areas. Saying “is this 24 month carters outfit that no one will ever see my child in except me worth 15 dollars of my freedom or an experience”? Is way more effective in my own mind than trying to argue over its value vs 15$.