“Enough is enough when you decide it’s enough.”
Inside Minimalism, Vol. 1
Based on our exclusive subscription series, Inside Minimalism Vol.1 is a collection of 50 short and relatable essays on simple living by a small team of writers from different backgrounds, but who all share a deep appreciation for minimalism as a way of life. Enjoy a curated collection of beautiful writing with a single one-off purchase and support independent creators.
Everything Else Is Extra
Words by Andrew Rocha
My calendar was like a family-size bag of skittles. It was packed, color coded, and optimized for efficiency. I used the apps, checked off the boxes, read the books, and tried every technique I came across. From a productivity standpoint, I was gold.
I was busy and productive, which made me feel important and accomplished. Yet my heart told me a different story.
Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t have a heart attack or any life-shattering event change my ways. It was much less drastic. At my best, I was proud of my accomplishments. At my worst, I felt like a failure.
I turned to different apps, books, and techniques; anything that could give me the “right solution.” But the solution wasn’t in a tool; it could only be found within myself.
I began to observe, through trial and error, the weight of my self-imposed obligations. One might be able to do anything, but not everything. If everything is important, then nothing is important.
What matters, and what doesn’t?
What do you value and what do you need most?
I let go of the extensive planning; I aimed for quality over quantity. I’m intentional with my days, because I realize they’re limited. When unexpected things come up, it’s okay, because I have more space in my days to allow for the unexpected.
If nothing unexpected comes up, that’s okay too. If we spend our entire lives only on doing, then life will be done before we know it. We have permission to be, enjoy, live, and love. We have permission to live the way we want. Everything else is extra.
Giving Gifts That Matter
Words by Carl Phillips
Black Fridays, Cyber Mondays. On it goes. The rallying and persuasive call to separate us from our hard-earned money.
But the gifts that matter most cannot be found in sales. They often cannot be found in the shops.
The gifts that matter most are bigger. They are broader. They are deeper. They are more meaningful.
If we want to give our loved ones gifts that count, we can give them the gift of:
our presence
our full attention
our understanding
listening without judgement
our humor
our gratitude
our perspective and insight on a problem they are struggling with
a helping hand
our love
None of these gifts fit neatly under a tree, nor do they need to. They are gifts we can give at any time of the year. But perhaps this time of year is when someone around us needs them most.
Yes, it's nice to open something wrapped at this time of year. But, if we are honest, what we want and need most will be found outside of those parcels.
The "perfect" gifts are often the ones straight from the heart that show someone cares.
A Little More of Less
A few other articles we think you might enjoy…
→ Nobody Has the Power to Upset You by Joshua Fields Millburn
→ What We Really Want by Karen Trefzger
→ Slow Holidays by Leo Babauta
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