Maximum Gratitude, Minimal Stuff

Minimalists have a reputation for living in small apartments (like me), tiny houses ( 400 sq. ft. or less ), and even buses or vans.  But you don't have to live in a small space to be a minimalist. That's because minimalism isn't one-size-fits-all.  It's a mindset and a tool for a simpler way of life, one that helps you remove the things that fill your space, your time, and your budget so you can focus on what adds most value and joy.  And that's determined by you! If you live in a small space, you don't have room for a lot of stuff.  This limitation is helpful for many who want to live an uncluttered life. But what if you have a large home?  Is there any way you can still explore minimalism? Why a minimalist might have a big house There are several reasons a minimalist might want or need more space.  For example, not only does my daughter have three young sons, but my son-in-law is a clinical laboratory scientist who works nights.  Their bedroom is a...

We're awed by the wrong things. Medieval cathedrals were built to inspire awe – toward God.  But palaces were built to encourage the same reaction, and most of us are much more susceptible to that.  After all, we can't aspire to be God, but we can sure wish for the power and wealth of a king. And today we still worship at the temple of riches.  We may feel awe for the infinite, whether that means God or Nature.  The ocean, mountains, and stars can have the power to move us.  We might feel in touch with the Sublime when we're in a forest, watching a sunset, or even listening to a magnificent symphony. But again and again, we return to that other, earthly cathedral.  We're awed by someone's car, wardrobe, or jewels.  We follow every move of someone who regularly appears on a red carpet.  And we imagine ourselves there too.  We're awed, but we also imagine that it could be us who inspires awe in others. We want to be awesome. Because of that, we...

In a culture that glorifies speed and efficiency, slow living offers a refreshing alternative.  It's a chance to ease off the gas, reduce the hurry and anxiety, and savor life's simple pleasures. Slow living isn't reserved for people who live on a homestead in the woods or in a remote mountain village.  It's a mindset accessible to all, whether you live in the city, the suburbs, or on a farm. What is slow living? Slow living is a quiet rebellion against the hustle and bustle of modern life.  It's a reminder that we don't have to run like hamsters on a wheel.  When you decide to slow down, you can do more careful, high-quality work with more time and energy to enjoy what makes you happy, whether that's reading a good book, walking along the beach, or noticing the changing colors of a sunset. Slow living doesn't mean withdrawing from life, abandoning your responsibilities, or giving up every goal.  It's about finding balance and creating mindfulness in...

Have you ever stood in front of your closet and felt like you didn't have anything to wear?  Maybe the space is packed with clothes, but you still struggle to put together outfits that make you happy. You're not alone.  Many of us feel the same way.  In fact, studies show that the average woman wears only about 20%-25% of her clothes most of the time.  We stick with the same few pieces because we're not sure what suits us best.  Even those few outfits that please us may be happy accidents rather than intentionally chosen statements of our personal style.  Worse, we may be wearing the "good enough" choices we've merely settled for .  (I have a few pieces like that in my closet right now.) As a result, we continue to shop for new clothes, especially inexpensive fast fashion, hoping to find something that suits us better.  When we aren't sure of our best personal style, it's easier to buy those cheap, trendy pieces.  It may seem like less of a r...

With the first day of school fast approaching, I always feel a burst of energy and anticipation.  And I can't wait for fall!  Now's a good time to use that determination to refresh my home, my goals, and more. In fact, we can do old-fashioned spring cleaning, year-end evaluation, or a seasonal update any time. 6 easy steps to reset your inner and outer environments 1.  Start with self-evaluation. Begin by thinking, "What's really important to me?"  This inner evaluation is at least as important as any decluttering program.  Consider: What do I want from my life? What needs to change so I can move closer to the life I imagine for myself? How can I live the upcoming year in a way that's truly meaningful? Imagining myself a year from now, what am I happy about accomplishing, or rueful about failing to do? Take at least 30 to 60 minutes to think about these questions, or revisit them over the course of a few days.  Take notes.  You'll create a blueprint f...

Does it sometimes feel that your country, or the world, is stumbling about without structure or control?  Maybe that feeling describes your life too, at least sometimes. Tom Brady, the NFL star quarterback for most of this century, said in a recent interview,  I feel like, naturally as a quarterback, I was in control [of the game].  I loved flying the plane, being the operator.  I think what you realize in life is that you're not in control that much.  What do I need to do more in my life?  I need to be better with less control. "I need to be better with less control."  That's the key to life, right there. A dose of reality You might say to Tom Brady, "Hey, you were a football star for decades, but now it's time to move on."  Every human goes through transitions.  There's a season to be an acclaimed athlete, and there's a season to be a sports commentator (or whatever Mr. Brady is doing next).  None of it is going to last forever.  ...

Here's an interesting paradox.  As people's desire for a simpler, more focused life increases, the amount of material about it has exploded into a huge array of blogs, podcasts, YouTube channels, social media posts, books, and courses.  Minimalism is becoming pretty huge! And that can be overwhelming and confusing.  Before you have the chance to implement one helpful idea, you're presented with two or three more. Start here. The number one important step toward any positive life change is to begin . But if you want a simpler life, exactly where do you begin?  How do you cut through the noise and get to what's going to make the most difference in your life?  That's the essence of minimalism, after all – focusing on essentials, figuring out what matters, and removing the things that crowd and distract. If you're newly interested in simplifying your life, but you're unsure where to start, choose one of these four areas.  Pick the one that strikes you as most ...

According to the latest Gallup poll , less than half of Americans are "very satisfied" with their own lives. Whether it reflects worries about the economy, anger about politics, or unhappiness in personal relationships, that number is nearly the lowest it's been this century. Our quest for fulfillment From a young age, most of us are pressured to fill our days to the brim.  Join as many clubs as you can and play several sports in school.  Be more productive and push yourself up the ladder at work.  Even at home, the list of chores seems never-ending.  Yet with all of this aspiration and activity, happiness eludes us.  Too many of us remain anxious and lonely.  Even as we try to grab every opportunity, we add to our stress and dissatisfaction.  Yet we feel guilty about slowing down. It's clear that our fast-paced lives are doing us no favors.  But choosing to slow down is hard.  In a culture where no one sticks to the speed limit and a slow in...

Minimalism made me rich because my husband and I paid off our debts, learned to live below our income, and realized that we could enjoy low-cost or free activities, rather than the cruises and world travel that so many aspire to. But our current financial situation didn't happen overnight!  We're in our 60s, our kids are grown, and we've been mostly minimalist for over 25 years. We did raise our two children on one teacher's salary (plus my occasional side gigs) while living in California, one of the most expensive states in the U.S.  We know what it's like to have a tight budget and make hard choices about what we can afford for our family. Minimalism works for everyone. Some people think minimalism is for the wealthy – people with extra stuff who can afford to keep only what "sparks joy" and get rid of everything else.  People who can simply buy a replacement if they get rid of something it turns out they need after all.  People who don't need that ...