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.
Simplicity Leads To Happiness In Children (And Here’s How to Do It) | Raised Good by Tracy Gillett. Slowing down feeds our souls and nurtures our families. No matter what parenting style we practice, this topic unites us.
Anger, Hunger, The Thrill Of The Hunt: What’s Your Spending Trigger? | Forbes by Maggie McGrath. Here’s a list of the nine most common—and costly—spending triggers.
How Your Insecurity is Bought and Sold | Mark Manson by Mark Manson. The vast majority of information that we’re exposed to is some form of marketing.
4 Absurdly Easy Things I Do That Make Life Disproportionately Better | Raptitude by David Cain. Lots of the things we spend our energy on are worthwhile, but some are a better deal than others.
Redefining Happiness | Huffington Post Video (2:52). Jay Shetty urges us to redefine happiness.
Thank you for the list. I recently just screeched to a halt on my spending and clutter. Now I intend to stretch my living simply muscles and transform my life. Thank you for your insights. I look forward to reading your ideas and thanks for the article links.
Thank you! I look forward to your weekend email. Always wonderful links.
I loved “How Your Insecurity is Bought and Sold”. I had known about those concepts in marketing, but didn’t know the history. It seems to have really snow balled and targeted women in particular these days – although Axe and beer commercials are pretty bad too.
Thank you so much for all that you do. I really enjoy your writing and always look forward to the Weekend Reads.
Hi Josh,
Thanks for this one.
I read them at midnight last night and put many kids toys in the cupboard this morning. I didn’t take their toys down to ten though. I let them pick their ten favourites which were all hard animal toys. Then I added one set of construction toys each and a few stuffed toys.
I loved the article about the four things. I certainly agree with the kitchen sink. One clean kitchen sink and wiped down benches are inviting for the new day. It was nice to see it written down.
Thanks
Thank you for including my article Joshua. And I’m thrilled you enjoyed it. Have a great weekend.
I often think that people are addicted to ‘complicated’ as much as they can be addicted to ‘busy’ as if something is not relevant or important if it doesn’t have 16 different features or choices.
I find minimalism allows me to relax because I am not bombarded with so many decisions. I wrote about it here:
https://deependofstupid.wordpress.com/2016/03/13/is-minimalism-different-on-a-lower-income/
I often read Mark Manson’s stuff, and the link here did not disappoint. There are so many subtle ways marketers nudge us toward buying. If you’ve ever moved or done a major “tidying up” then you start to think twice about more acquisitions. Which of course becomes more stuff! There’s something freeing about a lightened load. Thanks for the links!
Thanks for the fab links :)
Interestingly, the second article (at the Forbes website) did not allow me on unless I removed Adblocker for the website. I didn’t, so didn’t get to read the article. However, not being exposed to ads is incredibly important to me. While none of us think we are affected by ads, of course, we all are. Thanks for all the other reads though!
Joshua, I loved this by David Cain on Raptitude. I read a few of his other posts too and signed up to receive e-mails. I really love the Simplicity Weekend Reads. Thank you for all your writings too as I’m leaning so much.
Thank you so much for sharing these. Shopping has been called the best antidote to boredom, so it takes a lot of strength to resist. Not mentioning the other reasons why we like to acquire stuff. It’s a constant effort!
Sometimes simple fills out heart more than fancy and plenty. I can’t wait to try out some of these books…
girl C
https://fromgirlc.wordpress.com
I too look forward to the ” coffee cup” on Saturday mornings. I have been encouraged so often by your blog and the articles. The articles have actually helped me change. Thank you Joshua.
We backed into m-ism by selling our house & becoming full-time RVers. 1st the exhilaration of yard & moving sales – gotchkas, antiques, tools, etc. Then getting accustomed to small space & it’s restrictions. 1 thing in. 1 thing out. No duplication. Nothing for every occasion. Hard at 1st but now part of us. Not only doing more with less, but doing less. No regrets. Forgive us, tho. We still have a 10×5 storage unit for when we settle down. Not purist, but very happy.
I have been simplifying for about 5 years now- it took me awhile to realize how my stuff was controlling me. I’m still working at it- but sold enough stuff to add to my down payment 0f a house, purchase new appliances for the house and more- Instead if filling my house with useless items- I now have a growing savings account and buy to replace or increase my home value ( I just replaced old Ageing windows and doors). It’s freeing in ways I can’t explain. I love your fb page.
This is a great post, with so much truth! Once I began trying to live consciously I realized how difficult it is to step outside of this world of consumption and the values it constantly promotes. It takes a lot of work, but I’m sure inspirational reads such as these help as well. I will definitely look into them! Sending love and light your way,
http://mylovelierdays.com
I can’t think of a better way to start my Saturday than to read through the stories you select each week. Thank you Joshua.
“Children need at least one person in their life who thinks the sun rises and sets on them, someone who delights in their existence and loves them unconditionally.” – Pam Leo
Thanks for the weekend reads. Since I cleared out the extra stuff in my home and have no more anxiety about how I need to declutter. I stopped bringing in things I don’t need, cut almost all meats out of my diet, eat simpler I have more free time on my hands. It is time to get out that sewing machine, ukulele and work with plants.