Guest Author on No Sidebar

By
I'm so pleased and grateful to once again be featured on the minimalist website, No Sidebar.


The piece I wrote is partly about a holiday tradition in my town, and while I like the photo chosen by the editor of No Sidebar, I thought I'd share an actual photo of one house on Toyon Avenue, so you can see the work of some Christmas-loving homeowners.




What makes the holidays special for you?


Ask anybody what they love most about Christmas.  I've never heard anyone mention receiving gifts.  A few mention making or giving gifts, but most speak of lights and music, snow and coziness, family, memories, and love.  


I hope you're making time to savor the people and traditions that mean the most to you during this season.  It goes by so fast – don't miss it!

Comments

  1. UnknownDecember 10, 2019 at 10:28 PM

    Hi I've read the article/blog shared in No Sidebar. It's fun to read how people in other countries celebrate Christmas. It's also nice how you had related the holiday season with minimalism. Do you have other pictures of what Toyon Avenue looks like? It seems like a fun place. I live in the Philippines and even though we have decorations, it's not as extravagant as the one in this picture. It looks nice walking in this avenue. :) Have a great Holiday! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen TrefzgerDecember 11, 2019 at 4:47 PM

      This is the only really good picture I have. We also like to walk the extravagantly decorated neighborhood called the Fabulous 40s in Sacramento, CA, about 40 miles from our home (our daughter and son-in-law live with our grandsons in Sacramento, so we visit regularly).

      Most homes that I know of are not decorated any where close to this extensive display. Many streets have no decorations at all, on others you will see a few houses with lights along their eaves or up in their trees. Toyon Avenue is an exception, which is what makes it a December "destination" in our area.

      It is very nice to walk this avenue! We enjoy it so much, and we appreciate the work and expense the homeowners put into it every year.

      Merry Christmas in the Philippines!

      Delete
  2. Katharine and Chris CampbellDecember 10, 2019 at 11:01 PM

    Hi Karen! I read your article from No Sidebar and I want you to know how much I appreciate your perspective. Learning about minimalism has been life giving for me but also life draining. It's made me feel guilty for the unnecessary things I do (like decorating at Christmas) but enjoy doing. Your words were affirmation for me and were like a virtual hug. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen TrefzgerDecember 11, 2019 at 4:55 PM

      Katharine, thank you so much for your comment. I do feel that some perspectives on minimalism can be, as you put it, "life draining." We are privileged to CHOOSE minimalism. So many people do not have that choice, and are looking for some hope and happiness as they deal with living with less than they need.

      I write from a perspective of a culture that is glutted and overrun with stuff and with busyness. Maybe we're looking for hope and happiness too, but we seem to think it is found in buying and owning way more than we need. We seem to think our value and significance as persons rests in how busy, how "important" we are.

      Minimalism is counter-cultural, but as you said, that doesn't mean we must or should give up the things that we enjoy and find valuable. Minimalism is joyous because the extra, cluttery stuff and activities are removed, letting the things we keep and do shine out, unobstructed.

      Merry Christmas to you and your family.

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How to Beat 3 Blocks that Keep You Cluttered

By
Image
You may not realize it, but you could be harboring some beliefs that make it difficult (or even impossible) to declutter and stay that way.  These are common mindsets that can hold us back.  If you're struggling to declutter, it's time to identify the thoughts that are making it so hard. Decluttering block #1: I hate tossing things out. I think we can agree that throwing things out feels wasteful and bad.  Especially if your parents or grandparents lived through the Depression or the World War II era, this mindset runs deep.  The urge to keep everything (even things that are broken) will be stronger if you or your family have a history of trauma or hoarding.  You might not even be aware of how strong this inner compulsion is until you start trying to declutter. If you find it hard to get rid of broken, frayed, outgrown, neglected, or otherwise unused things, see if one of these reminders can help: 1.  The reprimand might not be coming from you. Your aversio...
Read more

Why You Should Try Wearing the Same Clothes Every Day

By
Image
Wearing the same clothes every day would get boring, wouldn't it? A long time ago, I had a job that required a uniform, and I have to say it did make life easier .  I had three copies of my work outfit, and there was never a question about what to wear.  I never worried whether my clothes were stylish or "right," because everyone else wore the same thing. The same argument has been used in public and private schools in favor of student uniforms.  Rather than constant worries about fashion and comparisons and dress codes, a uniform makes everything simple.  It's one less thing to think about in the complex life of a student. Many people argue that clothes make a statement about who you are.  "I express myself through my clothes" is a comment I've often heard, usually from women.  The idea of a uniform scares them, because how will they make themselves noticeable or unique ? I think we might be imagining some sort of Handmaid's Tale society, where we...
Read more

Why You Should Make "Less is More" Your Mantra for Life

By
Image
Maybe you've heard the saying popularized by architect Mies van der Rohe in 1947:  "Less is more." It's an oxymoron – a phrase that seems to contradict itself.  Others include "old news," "open secret," "unbiased opinion," and "awfully good."  Or the lament, "Parting is such sweet sorrow." What does "less is more" mean?  It's wonderfully open-ended.  Answers to that are as varied as the people who reply.  Consider: Less anxiety, more peace. Less debt, more savings. Less busywork, more substance. Less clutter, more space. Less comparison, more contentment. Less sugar, more vegetables. Voluntary simplicity Back in the 1990s, a fair number of Americans realized that the continual quest for more and better was stressing them out and keeping them from creating lives of purpose.  After the consumerist binge of the yuppie-era 80s, some started wondering if the big house, flashy car, exotic vacation, and Rolex we...
Read more

Share the Joy - Giving the Gift of Hygge

By
Image
The international interest in the Danish lifestyle hygge (pronounced "hoo-gah") has been co-opted by retailers who want to sell to us.  Of course, we do need items to make life more comfortable, such as beds, tables, chairs, clothing, and food.  I happen to think we also need books, flowers, and candles.  No one – not even a minimalist like me – can stop consuming while they're alive. But what we can control is how much we buy that's unnecessary, and how much we waste.  And since hygge is an experience you can create, not a thing you can buy, we don't really need to purchase anything to have a more hyggeligt life.  A sunrise, a crisp and juicy apple, birdsong, the scent of rain, or a long, strong hug can provide that. 13 great hygge gifts So how do you give the gift of hygge?  What can you offer a loved one that will truly add to their stock of  comfort, joy, and life satisfaction ?  Here are some ideas, large and small, that shouldn't add to yo...
Read more

20 Favorites for a Bookish Holiday

By
Image
Have you heard of the "Four Gift Rule" for the holidays? Something they want, Something they need, Something to wear, And something to read. This rule provides great structure and places a limit on the mountain of holiday gifts, while still allowing for plenty of delight on Christmas morning. Over the years I found that I could stick with suggestion #1 and then give my kids experiences instead of more things... except for books.  My parents always gave me books, I always gave books, and I do to this day.  In Iceland, most people receive a book as a gift on Christmas Eve.  Then the whole family tucks into bed to read their books before sleeping. Celebrate this month with some of the many, many holiday books out there.  Reading aloud in front of the fireplace (or with several lit candles * for cozy ambience) is one holiday tradition I love.  It's not too late to join in with some of my favorite selections.  Visit your library, purchase e-books, or order up a ...
Read more