Fill your life with stories to tell, not stuff to show.
The simplicity/minimalism movement is a beautiful community. It is friendly, encouraging, and helpful. There is a genuine understanding that any promotion of simplicity is good for society—and there is little concern over who gets the credit.
It is a pleasure to be part of such a wonderful group of people. And I enjoy every 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.
Why “Minimalism” Should Be Your 2016 Resolution | The Lala by Paige Pope. Minimalism is about finding your own sense of self and focusing on the things your love. It is about creating a lifestyle that is streamlined and focused around only those people and things that enrich you.
I Lived Nowhere and With Nothing For the Past Year – This Is What Happened… | James Altucher by James Altucher. I’ve learned some good things and some bad things.
Shoppers Are Choosing Experiences Over Stuff, And That’s Bad News for Retailers | The Washington Post by Sarah Halzack. Hey look, we’re starting to make a difference.
How Can You Gradually Declutter Your Life? | The Minimalists Podcast (57:37) by Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus. The Minimalists have launched a podcast. And it’s really good.
Uncluttered. If you’re looking for help trying to keep your resolution to declutter, this 12-week course will help you own less, live more, and discover the life you want. Registrations ends on Sunday, January 10.
OMG I nice warm cup of tea would really hit the spot right now. Minimalism was my resolution since 2007 and my life is much better.
Hi Joshua,
Minimalism absolutely works wonderful…
The real happiness is inside not in buying materialistic things most of which not often used. Now a days lots of people with high flying careers are turning to minimalism through which they are finding peace of mind.
Great reads for an easy weekend. I think I will try to get through all of them this weekend. I like to read.
At the moment I am incredibly grateful for the minimalism/simplicity community that writes so eloquently on the issues that come with materialism and the benefits of simplicity. I just came across a somewhat poorly written statement chastising materialism and, mistakenly, scrolled through some of the comments. The outright malice and defensiveness and plain cruelty that was brought up in the comments and between differing viewpoints was astonishing and could very well turn people away from such an encouraging and life changing movement. I am so grateful to receive the positive, loving encouragent that comes from this website and numerous others. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for the words that you share and for expressing so eloquently what simplicity truly should be about.
The “Shoppers are choosing experiences” link ties back into a question you posed a few months ago in how does mnimalism affect the economy, and while there are some (read: many) who think owning less means self-sabotaging the American economy, I still firmly believe the answer to be no, it is not sabotage. Will it lag a decade as it shifts, yes. The spending habits of the consumer will change. Train and plane tickets will skyrocket, tourism will sore, restaurant sales up, etc. Less throwaway plastic crap (toys, fad electronics for him and her) and more memories with your spouse and kids in a destination.
I agree. Plus if there is anything that our society is good at it is thinking of new ways to get people to part with their money – entrepreneurial types will spot an opportunities and things will evolve.
James Altucher: I came to think of the lyrics from the Richard Thompson song Beeswing, about the girl who can’t settle down and what happens when you refuse any “shackles”. I find his piece interesting as an example of what happens when you indulge in the “me, myself and I” story a bit too far.
Minimalism can be a personal project and as such, interesting and fulfilling, but I think it takes on another dimension when you are willing and able to put the energy that went into consumerism into making the world a better place, no matter how big or small that contribution may be.
Great, thought-provoking links again, Joshua! I especially liked The Lala piece. I wish I could see that shoppers were spending more on experiences. Kinda hard to believe based on the malls around here — but cool if it’s true. I know that one of the gifts I got most excited about this year was a movie gift card. James Altucher’s piece, though… I found it rather hyperbolic and angsty, like something a recently dumped college student with The Communist Manifesto stuffed in his back pocket would write. I guess I just didn’t feel like it truly inspired simplicity, but made me roll my eyes instead.
I wish I could say that I see a trend towards minimalism in my community…but it is the opposite. Just judging from the store where I work, we had record sales. We exceeded plan every single day during the Christmas season. People shopped like it was free! The CEO is happy—and yes, I am happy for the payroll that keeps me employed. However, I am always amazed at the mindless consumerism. As I take their payments this month…I wonder if reality ever hits home…
I agree. I live in Miami where mindless consumerism and the keeping up with the Joneses mentality runs rampant. It’s hard to find like minded individuals in this city.
https://www.becomingminimalist.com/inspiring-simplicity-weekend-reads-5/
James Altucher’s piece was fascinating. Definitely shows that one can pare life down to the bare necessities. Although he seemed to be a bit rudderless. Wandering. Guess I require some sense of place and grounding, but a simplified place.