The 2024 Maximum Gratitude Minimal Stuff Recap
Welcome to the penultimate post for 2024! This makes #105 for this year, which is more than I've written for any one year since 2020. That's in spite of suffering through two bouts of pneumonia and an emergency surgery and hospital stay early this spring. Wow!
I want to thank you, faithful readers – especially those who have taken time to email me personally. You are so thoughtful and encouraging, and some of you are becoming cherished friends. It's wonderful to join with you on the journey toward a simpler life that is still fulfilling and abundant because of the gratitude we practice every day.
I also appreciate those of you who go the extra mile to purchase my books.* You're the ones I think of most when I sit down to write.
* This blog is powered by direct reader support. If you buy through my links, I may earn a small commission.
My promises and progress
I continue to refuse Google's targeted ads on this site, and to resist the many other marketing sites who contact me (almost every week!) asking that I link to them in return for a commission. Full disclosure – I am an Amazon Associate, but the links I include are for products I use, enjoy, and recommend. I'm determined not to promote products simply for the sake of increasing my income.
That said, I do hope to make some money from the many, many hours I devote to this work, so if you would like to repay me, please buy a book, follow my Amazon links and make a purchase, or figuratively buy me a coffee in support. Thank you very much!
The number of subscribers to Maximum Gratitude Minimal Stuff continues to grow slowly but surely. Thank you for sharing with your family, friends, and co-workers, on social media, and with links from your own websites. This website exists because of your support, and I'm grateful for all of it.
I'm so proud that 18 of my posts were featured on the giant website nosidebar.com and that I continue to be a regular guest author on thesimplifydaily.com. Back in June, I was excited to have two of my posts presented on the popular podcast Optimal Living Daily, and in August I was honored to be a guest author for Joshua Becker on becomingminimalist.com. Early last month, I was featured on The Lisa Show podcast talking about how to celebrate with less stress and more joy.
Writing is fun for me, but it's also a lot of work and a challenge to my creativity and intelligence. Without readers, it would be impossible to sustain the energy and commitment I bring to the task. When you let me know via comments or an email (karen@maximumgratitudeminimalstuff.com) that something I wrote made a positive difference to you, you not only make my day – you give me a reason to keep writing.
Top 12 posts in 2024 according to readers
1. Why You Should Make "Less is More" Your Mantra for Life
"Less is more" might seem like a contradiction, but here are 16 ways it makes sense for a better life. Go countercultural, and explore details of my favorite oxymoron today.
2. 15 Clever Ways to Zero-Out Clutter in Your Kitchen
We spend tons of time in our kitchens, so we need them to be clean, efficient, clutter-free spaces. Here's how to tackle that big job in small steps.
3. 9 Secret Habits of Neat and Organized People
We declutter because we're buried in stuff, but sometimes it's a struggle to remain simple and spacious. Here's how organized people behave differently for long-term success.
4. 45 Useful Tips to Help You Responsibly Declutter Unwanted Items
Tossing stuff you no longer want into a dumpster is irresponsible and bad for the planet. This list will remove your worries about what to do instead.
5. 12 Ways to Redecorate Your House with What You Already Have
You don't have to plan a shopping spree to refresh your home. Here are quick and simple ways to give yourself a new view with what you already own.
6. The Easy "Multiply Your Savings" Plan
You know that saving money is a smart idea, but you've struggled to do it. I've been there too! Here's my simple, secure way to build savings.
7. The Hygge Way to Clean and Declutter
If you want to add more hygge (cozy, relaxed comfort) to your life, you need to clean and declutter. Begin in one small area to feel more control and inspiration to continue.
8. 10 Fun, No-Risk Ways to Try a Minimalist Wardrobe Today
A minimalist wardrobe saves money, time, fuss, and space while adding style, confidence, and creativity. Here are ten ways to try it, no strings attached.
9. 3 Questions to Help You Recover Your Minimalist Motivation
In the busyness of life, in the midst of our consumerist culture, it's possible to get complacent and careless. Here's how to get back to minimalism when your life is starting to get crowded again.
10. 12 Tips to Try When You're Frustrated with Decluttering
Decluttering can be hard, and might take quite a bit of time. When you're tired, sad, or swamped, be gentle on yourself. Let go of guilt and regret, and try these ideas when decluttering gets tough.
11. How to Get Rich with Minimalism
Over time, minimalism can make you rich. Save money with a smaller house, wardrobe, and car, then use these ideas to spend even less and invest more.
12. How to Declutter When Your Income is Small
Minimalism is not just for the wealthy. Decluttering on a low income has its challenges, but it also has great rewards. These eight tips will help.
12 of my personal favorite 2024 posts
1. How a Hospital Stay Made Me Even Happier to be a Minimalist
Sickness, injury, or infirmity offer many reasons to streamline what you own. Whether struggling or in good health, minimalism makes every day better.
2. The Beauty and Power of Small Things
In a world that teaches us to always strive for more, since "bigger is better," small things can be overlooked. But going small has many advantages.
3. 9 Simple Tips to Live as a Minimalist in a Big House
Minimalism is a mindset and a tool, not a number. You can practice being thoughtful and selective no matter what size house you live in. Here's how.
4. How to Enjoy the Charms of the Past
Can you be a minimalist and keep heirloom possessions? Memories remain even if items are decluttered, but there are ways to let your favorites shine.
5. How to Change Your Life for Good
Change is a thousand steps. The insight or fear that gets us going marks Step 1. But how can we think and act differently to reach Steps 7, 100, and beyond?
6. Humans 2.0: How to Achieve the Next Great Step in Our Evolution
Is the next stage in human development a cybernetic body enhanced with AI? Or is there a better road to improvement that we can start following today?
7. 11 Revealing Ways to Experiment with a Simpler Life Today
In our society, it's considered normal to consume ever more as time goes by. But do we need to follow that trend to be happy? Let's do some fun experiments and learn more.
When we edit our clutter the way a writer edits words, we end up with just what we wanted – no fluff, just the useful and the best. Here are three steps to get started.
9. How to Enjoy More Success with the "Good Enough" Mentality
You'll enjoy less stress and more success if you shift your mindset from the need to be Number One toward the more attainable goal of personal growth.
10. Learn the Secret to Less Stress and Better Choices
Overwhelmed. Stretched thin. Exhausted. Too many of us say these words every day. But this doesn't have to be our reality. One change can save us.
11. How to Enjoy a Winter Rest
Our culture glorifies the 24/7 life, but no living thing is meant to function without a break. Here's how to say yes to rest, relaxation, and peace.
12. We Could Make This Place Beautiful
The world is a mess, but there are still things worth preserving and rebuilding. With an abundance mindset, we can have hope. Let's work together and make a start.
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