There’s more to life than buying stuff.
There are many wonderful people pursuing and promoting simplicity. Fortunately, some of them are gifted in communication and choose to encourage and inspire us with their words. I enjoy reading their unique perspective. I’m sure you will too.
So fix yourself a nice warm cup of coffee or tea on this beautiful weekend. Find a quiet moment. And enjoy some encouraging words about finding more simplicity in your life today.
7 Eye-Opening Lessons I Learned From Buying Nothing New For 200 Days | CE by Assya Barrette. “My 200 days was not only an optional experience in sustainable living and minimalism. It was a necessary and transformative journey.”
Life’s Pursuit | Zen Pencils by Gavin Aung Than. Have you taken control over your life into your own hands?
How One German Millennial Chose to Live on Trains Rather than Pay Rent | Washington Post by Rick Noack. “I want to inspire people to question their habits and the things they consider to be normal.”
Overrated vs. Underrated: Common Beliefs We Get Wrong | James Clear by James Clear. As a society, we often overvalue unimportant things and undervalue the ideas and strategies that make a real difference.
Someday | The Minimalists by Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus. Just because something is urgent doesn’t mean it’s worthwhile.
Wow. I am glad and very grateful for the words of hope.
That first article got me thinking of something I never considered… what happens to all our junk when we die? Just another reason not to hoard so much meaningless stuff. With all the considerate planning our parents do for their own death, do they consider the burden their overstuffed attics/garages/closets pose?
Besides this blog, I have been following the Minimalists for a while now. They are doing some amazing things. Read one of their books during my last vacation: “Minimalism: live a meaningful life”. Highly recommended.
Loved the link to Zen Pencils, a brilliant illustration that I need to print out and display at home.
Zen pencils ist great! It vividly illustrates the idea of minimalism.
A great selection as always. Thanks for the James Clear link, I had yet to discover his stuff.
I like the overrated “watching the news” and underrated “reading old books”. I’ve given up with TV news altogether as it was such a waste of time and just channels sensationalism and negativity.
Old books are so valuable, to see an issue through the lens of another time adds a different perspective. It’s as close as we can get to time travel! Two “old” books relevant to minimalism/simplicity/moving beyond consumerism that I recommend to everyone are “Your Money or Your Life” by Joe Dominguez and “The Affluent Society” by John Kenneth Galbraith.
Does anyone else want to share an “old” book worth a read?
Thanks, Joshua! Lots of food for thought here! From the first article, I think the author’s point about the stigma attached to buying used is very interesting… Especially when you think about the irony that something used but old enough to be called “vintage” suddenly becomes valuable. Aren’t we funny people?
Thanks for the Someday link. It’s such a practical task that really helps hammer home the point. I know it is a sense of urgency that often has me reaching for my mobile internet when in all honesty it’s not urgent, I’m just so used (like everyone else) to being connected and receiving instant gratification at the touch of a button.
Thanks for the list, Joshua.
I’m happy to see Mr James Clear here :)