Imagining a minimalist president
minimalism.com
“It’s better to have extra time on your hands and extra money in your pocket than extra stuff in your closet.” – Joshua Becker
Can you imagine a minimalist president?
Recently, a reader asked whether we could imagine electing a minimalist president. Yes, but we don’t have to imagine: his name was Calvin Coolidge, the 30th president of the United States of America.
During the 67 months of his presidency, the national debt, the federal government, the federal budget, unemployment, and consumer prices shrank—and the GDP expanded significantly. All of this led Amity Shlaes, in her biography, Coolidge, to blazon “Silent Cal” as a “rare kind of hero: a minimalist president, an economic general of budgeting.”
But perhaps the best way to understand Coolidge’s minimalist ways is through his own words:
On contribution: “No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave.”
On spending: “There is no dignity quite so impressive, and no one independence quite so important, as living within your means.”
On wealth: “Prosperity is only an instrument to be used, not a deity to be worshipped.”
On listening: “It takes a great man to be a good listener.”
On focus: “We cannot do everything at once, but we can do something at once.”
Politics aside, Coolidge embodied minimalist principles. Who among our current scrum of politicians exemplifies these values? If anyone, then, yes, perhaps we can find another minimalist president.
Words by The Minimalists
00 – Housekeeping
A little update on all things Minimalism Life®… we’re changing the publication schedule of this newsletter to bi-weekly rather than weekly. This is so we can invest more time into projects and R&D. We also want to focus more time on building resources on the website. Speaking of which, we’d love to welcome more of your suggestions that span design and lifestyle. There is a suggestion form on the site positioned in the sidebar:
We’re also looking for more contributors to help us maintain the site. So if you’re passionate about this wonderful tool that is minimalism, then get in touch.
01 – Journal
Read entries from the archive of the Minimalism Life® community journal
Minimalism: pros and cons: From external possessions to internal fulfillment (by Nate Grant)
Two sides of deadlines: When deadlines actually give us more time, not less (by Bernice Go)
Existential clutter: The only way to silence the noise is to let go (by Joshua Fields Millburn)
Share your story
Do you have an interesting story you would like to share on minimalism.com? We want to read about it. You have the opportunity write about your experience of how minimalism has impacted your life and get your words published in our community journal.
02 – Minimal art
From our curated gallery
03 – Minimal design
Explore our list of curated design resources
Mies by Detlef Mertins (book)
Nendo: What if? (video)
Baroque Minimalism: A conversation with Muller Van Severen (article/interview)
04 – Minimal lifestyle
Explore our list of curated lifestyle resources for simple living
Hinge phonebook (tool)
05 – Shop
Discover our hand-picked minimalist products in the Minimalism Life® shop
06 – Brands anchored by simplicity and sustainability
Minimalism can be about frugality and owning less, but it can also be about supporting ethical brands with sustainability at their core. Here’s several that you might be interested learning more about:
Cubo: Simple adaptive bags
Oliver Cabell: Minimalist Italian footwear and accessories
Luca Faloni: Luxury Italian men's clothing
Collars&Co: Minimalist polo shirts
CLAE: Minimalist footwear from LA
ASKET: ending fast fashion by making covetable everyday essentials
Void Watches: Simple Swedish timepieces
ODA: The modular everyday bag and essentials
Dalgado: Timeless accessories made to last
North-89: Shoemakers designing for Scandinavian weather conditions
Nordic Knots: Rugs inspired by the beauty of the Nordic light
CDLP: Luxury essentials
Mismo: Bags and accessories from natural materials
Meller: Minimal shades
Selfmade: Handmade eyewear
JAK: Portuguese leather sneakers
Steele & Borough: Vegan, lightweight and water repellant bags
Floyd: Unique and distinctive travel cases
Discover more minimal brands on minimalism.com