It is best when things are both.
love,
melanie
Tag Archives: minimalism
Tuesday Thoughts: The Whole World Belongs to You
I love a good self-help book/class/blog as much as the next gal, but sometimes we need to stop. We need to stop, look around and acknowledge that we don’t need anything else. We are skinny enough, we have a big enough house, we have enough gadgets and social media outlets and enough things. What we need now is contentment and a little bit of rejoicing because things are pretty good the way they are. Right.This.Minute.
love,
melanie
A Small Life Book Club
I’m starting a new feature on ye olde blog and I hope that you’ll enjoy it too! One of my goals this year is to read more and I need a bit of motivation. That’s why I’m starting a book club. Each month I’ll announce the book that we are going to read. (I’ll also take suggestions!) And then I’ll read it (I hope you will too) and we’ll discuss it. Easy enough?
Since this is “A Small Life” Book Club I’m thinking the books will center around minimalism, living small and life-changing adventures! The first book we’ll be reading is The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing* by Marie Kondo. You can check it out from your local library or purchase it on Amazon using the link above.
I’ve heard great things about this book. In fact, people are starting to use the author’s last name as a verb to mean tidying up. Too bad my last name is hard to pronounce or I’d totally try to make that into a thing meaning “small living.” We’ll discuss this book on April 1st. I hope you’ll join me!
love,
melanie
*Affiliate link.
Tuesday Thoughts: No Greatness
It’s easy to be average. It’s easy to be in debt and live above your means. It’s easy to lie to yourself. It’s easy to complicate your life. What’s harder is being great. What’s harder is living simply. What’s harder is looking for the good in the everyday. What’s harder is telling yourself the truth.
How do you cultivate greatness? Let me know in the comments!
love,
melanie
Tuesday Thoughts: Let Alone
How many things can you let alone? Can you let alone greed and indifference? Can you let alone self-destruction, ill thoughts and mean words? Minimalism isn’t just about letting physical things alone, it’s also about letting behaviors alone.
And that kids is something to think about.
love,
melanie
Tuesday Thoughts: Going Back to a Simpler Life
Yes, going back to a simpler life is a choice, but it is not a step backwards. It’s a step in the right direction. It’s a step towards happiness. It’s a step towards the life you truly want to live. It’s a difficult step, but it isn’t a backwards one.
Happy Tuesday, friends.
love,
melanie
Tuesday Thoughts: Enjoying Less
That Socrates was one smart feller.
Happy Tuesday, ya’ll!
love,
melanie
My Favorite Podcasts
c/o Death to Stock Photos
I jumped on the bandwagon and started listening to Serial. You’ve been living under a rock somewhere if you haven’t heard of it. If you have been living under a rock, props to you, can I visit sometime? I could use a break.
Anyway, Serial is a true crime podcast, brought to you by some of the same people from This American Life. (Sidenote: for years, years, I used to think “Brought to you by” was one word because the people of PBS said it so quickly. Thanks public television.) And I obviously don’t make Serial sound appealing, but OMG IT IS. I’m hooked.
That got me thinking that I’ve never shared my favorite podcasts with you all. And there are some good ones out there, folks. Take a break from all that holiday music and open up your ears to some sustenance! Here’s some of my favorite podcasts:
Freakonomics
This podcast is brought to you by (ha-ha!) the same guys who wrote the book. Freakonomics tells stories of the “hidden side of everything” including money. I’ve spent many a “drive way moment” listening to these fellows.
The Radical Personal Finance Podcast
The RPFP explores all aspects of finances and money management with a focus on the financial strategies of society’s outliers, like the homeless and billionaires! Radical, dude!
Listen Money Matters!
These guys say this isn’t your dad’s personal finance show and it isn’t. This show is funny, honest and give actionable advice to follow. And money saving should be entertaining, right?
Natalie Sisson’s The Suitcase Entrepreneur
In short interviews, Natalie describes the ins-and-outs of a travelling entrepreneur. This one is great if you’ve only got a few minutes before a doctor’s appointment or a meeting.
Extra Pack of Peanuts Travel Podcast
Travis Sherry describes himself as “Rick Steves for the new generation.” Travis interviews some of the biggest names in travel and teaches listeners how to travel for less. Yes!
TheVAP – The Vintage Airstream Project
The VAP is great for new Airstream owners because it describes purchasing, repair and travel in an RV. It’s not always riveting, but it is informative.
Tiny House Chat
Tiny house chat does exactly what is meant to do: it talks about all things tiny house and all things tiny living! Tiny house dwellers (like me!) are so interesting, no?!
Minimalism for the rest of us
Minimalism for the rest of us typically is interviews or stories from people on their journey to minimalism. I’m a fan of minimalism and I like to hear about other people’s journey to the school of thought.
Elise Gets Crafty
Elise Gets Crafty is one of my favorite podcasts because Elise is such a natural! Usually she talks about running a small business or talks to small business owners. It’s fun and chatty, but also informative. I’ve learned so much from this podcast!
Creating Your Own Path
Creating Your Own Path is a podcast that I just got into recently. Jennifer converses with small business owners and asks them what I always want to know: how did you create your own path?!
What are your favorite podcasts? I’d love to hear them in the comments!
love,
melanie
The Minimalist Challenge: Days 8, 9, 10
After week one, it became harder to find things to get rid of for the Minimalist Challenge. I did find some weird random stuff that I could live without and some clothing that I didn’t really need. One of the hardest part of this challenge is living with someone who loves to keep stuff (ahem, my lovely husband, cough cough). You know, “in case we need it one day.” Newsflash: We never need it one day. I’ve mostly been getting rid of my stuff to sell, donate or trash, but it’s going to get really difficult when I get to Day 20. My lovely husband is going to have to part with some junk! (And he isn’t going to like it!)
8 from top going clockwise: Empty box of Scotch Brite (whyyyyyy?!), tank tops, almost empty greased lightening, water bottle, olive oil container, magnetic notebook, broken carabiner, 1/2 empty Shout (poured it into the other 1/2 empty bottle of Shout)
9: 9 articles of clothing
10 from top left: damaged paper plates, old knife, peanut butter, broken lid, 2 basting brushes, knife sharpener (already have one), 3 DVDs
How do you deal with a hoarder in the family? Let me know in the comments!
love,
melanie