Not too long ago, shopping was my past time. I loved browsing. I loved getting things on sale. I loved taking a break and eating Panda Express Chinese food, grabbing a Starbucks Frappucino or an Auntie Ann pretzels. I loved nice shopping bags and would save them. I loved seeing boxes at my doorstep.
All of this changed the more I explored, experimented and read about minimalism, zero waste and healthy food. It was an eye opener. So as of today, I no longer shop to pass the time. Here are the reasons why.
Read more7 definitions of clutter. Which one resonates with you?
Read moreI recently just finished Happy Money: The Science of Smarter Spending by Elizabeth Dunn & Michael Norton. I recommend picking it up at your local library. Buying it won’t increase your happiness, but here’s it is on Amazon (affiliate) if you are inclined.
We’ve all heard the saying “Money Can’t Buy Happiness” and based on Happy Money, it actually can as long as you spend it in 5 key areas.
Read moreWhen I did my big de-cluttering project a few months ago, I wanted to make some money off of the stuff I was letting go. I had a lot of things to get rid of from clothes to furniture to electronics and all were in perfectly good condition. I wanted to try to sell it first and see if I could gain back some of the money I had spent on these items. The first thing I realized is that there is a marketplace for anything and everything. The second thing I realize is that you can never get back all of the money you spent buying stuff. This thing called depreciation is actually a real thing. Don't expect to sell your stuff for the same price you paid for it, unless of course it's vintage or a collector's items, but this is rare and should not be counted on.
Read moreIs minimalism good for your sex life? Absolutely! Learn how simplifying your life can lead to better bedroom action. It all boils down to removing the distractions so that you can get on with what matters.
Read moreAn empty space is an opportunity. As you start your minimalism journey, don't be afraid of the empty or blank space.
Read moreWhat's the number question to ask yourself before making a purchase? You'd be surprised that it's no longer about the cost of the item, but how it affects how you use your time. Keep this in mind as it will help you save money AND time in the long run.
Read moreMany of us may have made it a resolution to start on the minimal path this year. For that, I applaud you! It takes courage to realize that a change is needed. I've been at this minimizing and decluttering phase for a while now so I thought I would share some hard truths to those just starting out. Minimizing and decluttering is not easy to do. The typical person living in a western and consumer driven society does not realize how much stuff they are drowning in. Many are content to live day by day, paycheck to paycheck getting pulled to buy things that's unnecessary and don't provide any real and true value. Many of us have been conditioned to think that all of this stuff is OK, but it is not. It's a burden to our physical, mental and emotional health.
Read moreBanning the notion of retail therapy is important as you work towards eco-friendly minimalism. Retail therapy appears to solve problems on the surface, but it actually does not. In fact, it creates more issues not only for yourself, but also for the environment. Shopping yourself a new outfit rarely works to increase a lifetime of happiness.
Read moreMy husband and I celebrate two wedding anniversaries. One in December and one in August. We just recently celebrated our 4th December anniversary and that got me thinking about our wedding. The reason for two is because we technically had two wedding ceremonies. A civil one in New Jersey and a church one in Istanbul, Turkey. Both involved a party, a DJ and wedding cake, but we bit the bullet a little bit and tried to stay away from anything too extravagant. Because we knew we would have two celebrations, we tried to do as much of it as DIY as possible and in the end that saved us money, time and reduced the amount of waste we generated
Read moreHere are 5 decluttering tips and best practices for a more organized life. Decluttering your life can lead to better health, more time and more money.
Read moreWhat are your favorite Christmas activities? These are simple and great Christmas ideas for kids and adults.
Read moreIn the first part of this series, I share what I let go as part of my minimalist journey. The greatest thing about Minimalism is it's a journey. It's doesn't just stop one day. It constantly asks you to look at your life and assess what matters to you. Minimalism is and should also be different for every person. Our backgrounds, our values, our dreams and our goals are different, but the one constant is that time is short and we must use it wisely to fulfill our inner intentions.
As I began to let things and old habits go, I felt myself change. The things that were important to me in my early and mid-20's changed. Now, in my early 30's, the world looks a bit different and while there are times I wished I could go back time and educate my younger self, the point of life is to learn from mistakes, evolve and grow.
Because my values, my thoughts, my mindset changed, the world around me began to change as well as a way to support the new me.
Read moreFor November, we are looking at the not-for-profit organization, Farmer Veteran Coalition, which is Mobilizing Veterans to Feed America. Join or support the cause this Veterans Day.
Read moreI consider myself a minimalist, even though I still have way too many pairs of shoes and my closet is still a bit full. Our house still gets cluttered, but the reason I consider myself a minimalist is because today I am more conscious of what I buy, how I use my time and what I choose to do. Perhaps, it's reaching 30 and being a little bit more mature. Perhaps, it's feeling like I don't want the rest of my 30's to be one big chaotic run around I want to enjoy people, things and experiences.
This didn't happen overnight. In fact, looking back, I was the ultimate consumer. My weekends would be spent at the mall buying stuff I didn't really need. My weeknights would be attending events that I didn't want to be at. It was a lot of saying "YES" for fearing of missing out, for not wanting to offend people, for not wanting to be antisocial, for wanting to be liked. Over time, I felt all of this was making me tired and utterly fatigued. I began to slowly let go of things, of unfulfilling relationships, of old habits, and of old perspectives.
This is a two-part series on what minimalism has meant for me.
Read moreBuyology by Martin Lindstrom. A look into why we buy what we buy. What marketing and branding methods do companies use to sell us stuff. What advertising tactics work and don't work. A great branding book.
Read moreA review of LUSH Tooth Powder and an update on the new packaging for the Toothy Tabs. Organic, natural, vegan toothpaste.
Read moreTransitioning from traditional face scrubs is easy with this zero waste DIY face scrub. No chemicals, no plastic beads, no waste. Beauty that is chemical free.
Read moreThe mind is a powerful thing, but it is constantly bombarded with distractions. It's time to refocus with these 7 proven methods to help you achieve a happier state of mind.
Read moreEasy minimalist desk that can be built this weekend. Mid-century modern inspired with hair pin legs and natural wood surface. Build a desk with these easy instructions.
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