What is minimalism? What is about? What is not about? Is it at trend? Is it about aesthetic? Is it about the number of things?
Read moreJust-in-case is not your crutch
Just-in-case! How many times have we said that to ourselves and how many times has something actually happened? It's time to let go of just-in-case.
Read more5 Reasons Shopping Is No Longer My Pastime
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 moreBest Places to Sell Your Stuff by Category in 2017
When 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 moreWhy Minimalism Is Good For Your Sex Life
Is Minimalism good for your sex life?
Is 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 moreCelebrate The Empty Space
An empty space is an opportunity. As you start your minimalism journey, don't be afraid of the empty or blank space.
Read moreThe #1 Question To Ask Yourself Before Making Any Purchase
What'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 more11 Minimizing and Decluttering Hard Truths and How to Overcome Them
11 Minimizing and Decluttering Hard Truths and How to Overcome Them
Many 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 moreBan The Notion Of Retail Therapy
Banning 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 moreSimple, Kid-Friendly Christmas Activities
What are your favorite Christmas activities? These are simple and great Christmas ideas for kids and adults.
Read moreMinimalism: The Art of Change
In 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 moreMinimalism: The Act of Letting Go
I 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 more7 Proven Tips for a Happier, Focused Mind
The 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 moreAm I A Hypocrite For Not Being a Perfect Environmental Warrior?
Am I being a hypocrite for not being a perfect environmental warrior?
So am I a hypocrite for not being a perfect environmental warrior? Should I wait until I have the perfect zero waste lifestyle before lobbying for change? Zero waste is not about being perfect, but recognizing and making small changes to affect change.
Read moreMake: Build an Easy, Minimalist Desk This Weekend
Easy 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.
Read moreWhere Does Trash Go?
Image from National Geographic. Source: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/04/160425-new-delhi-most-polluted-city-matthieu-paley/
It is a known fact that the United States ships it's waste to other parts of the world. Electronic and textile waste are primary items that get discarded in another country. In the Philippines, donated clothes called "ukay ukay" are re-sold in small town markets. In places such as India, our electronic waste is taken apart so that the parts can be re-sold and melted. The problem with this process is that it's done by individuals without any type of protective gear. It's children handling hazardous materials just so that they can eat. The irony in all of this is that these items are manufactured just a few villages away in inhumane conditions. They are made by hard working individuals with little pay, gets sold in high end stores at 100x or more and then discarded quite easily by our over consuming society.
Read more