Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of anything 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.
Why Are Sales So Hard to Resist? | NPR by Alina Selyukh. Why is it so hard for the human brain to resist a discount, especially around the holidays?
Our Kids Have Too Much Stuff | Washington Post by Caitlin Gibson. To understand how we got here — drowning in all those stuffed animals and Legos — it helps to look as far back as the late 19th century, he says, when the dynamics of an American family began to shift in significant ways.
Change Your Environment, Change Your Life | No Sidebar by Julia Ubbenga. Decluttering your life changes more than just the way your home looks and feels. It also realigns your soul. An outer refresh reestablishes inner order.
How to be Happy With Less: A Minimalist Holiday Manifesto | OnlySky by Adam Lee. By the standards of almost every human being who’s ever lived, my life is overflowing with abundance. If this isn’t enough for happiness, what is?
We’re All Addicted to Cheap Stuff — And Temu Knows It | Vox by Whizy Kim. That is what has attracted American consumers — our hunger to keep buying cheap stuff we probably don’t need It’s what drives so much of our modern economy, and certainly so much of online shopping.
Recently Released Inspiring Videos
10 Simple Christmas Truths We Need to Remind Ourselves Every Year | YouTube by Joshua Becker. Maybe no season requires greater intentionality than the holiday season.
10 Intentional Ways to Reduce Holiday Stress | YouTube by Joshua Becker. Relieving stress any time of the year is worth the effort. But during the holidays, with the extra rush, hurry, and expectations, reducing stress is even more important.
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In other news, the paperback version of my book, Things That Matter: Overcoming Distraction to Pursue a More Meaningful Life, became available on Tuesday (December 12). It is available wherever books are sold.