“There are no ‘shoulds’—only ‘coulds.’”
Where Has This Newsletter Been?
Howdy!
You’ve probably noticed that you haven’t received an issue of Mindful Moments the last few weeks. Don’t worry—we haven’t gone anywhere! We’ve just made a few changes to Minimalism Life. Specifically, we’ve
1.) Suspended our paid Inside Minimalism series.
2.) Reduced the frequency of our Journal articles from twice a week to once a week. (Want to share your story in our Journal? Click here to get involved.)
3.) Started publishing our Mindful Moments newsletter with less frequency. We’ll be sending you our curated roundup of minimalism articles, quotes, and resources once a month instead of once a week.
We’re making these changes so we can make space for some exciting new projects in the future. In the meantime, reach out to us at info@minimalism.life if you have any questions or feedback. We can’t wait to show you what we have in store.
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.
One Size Rarely Fits All
Words by Andrew Rocha
As a kid, I was always disappointed when the one-size-fits-all hats were too small. With age, I’ve come to understand that society wants us to believe there is one solution for any given problem.
One hat size that will fit every head.
One list of things you must own to be a minimalist.
One person who is destined to be your soulmate and complete you.
When we get attached to this concept, we close our minds to other ideas and possibilities. We ignore the fact that we’re all different; what works for me might not work for you. This doesn’t make us lazy, stupid, or weak. Breaking a mold doesn’t make us broken. It makes us unique.
Recipes still serve a place, as do techniques and approaches. When we take what works and adjust as necessary, we can tailor to what fits us best.
Consider each idea as an item on a shelf or a tool on a belt. It’s ready when you need it, even if that’s during a different season of life.
Minimalism is about focusing on what matters to you, which will be different from what matters to others. No sets of needs are right or wrong. They are simply different.
The next time you search for the perfect hat or habit, keep in mind: one size rarely fits all. It’s a concept that fits me better than any hat ever will.
Simplifying Is Not Just About Less
Words by Carl Phillips
I believe deeply in the power of simplicity. It’s become a passionate subject for me. One I have written many articles and books about. Broader than this, it’s become a framework for how I try to live. Something I am always seeking to bring into my life.
One part of this simplicity journey is about discarding. Finding ways to remove things from our lives. Whether they be possessions, commitments, toxic relationships, or something else we realise is dragging us down. Reduction is an important step.
But it’s just a step.
I find some people stay here. They obsess over how to remove things. Sometimes they remove too much. That’s not the point of minimalism, at least not for me.
Simplicity is a tool, a tool that should improve our lives. A paradox is that as we remove that which does not matter to us, we receive something else back. That something else is making space for the things that matter most to us. Things that bring us joy and give us energy.
We may even develop an abundance mindset through this experience.
What does this look like?
The Abundance Mindset
We learn to see the opportunity, where others only see a change for the worse.
We make space for small, simple pleasures in our every day. So that we can come back to them, over and over.
We establish self-care practices—to replenish our reserves when we need them most.
We slow down to speed up.
We give thanks for the small but meaningful moments. Establishing a gratitude practice.
Simplify to Amplify
For me, this is where to real treasure is. Not in the bare shelves or stripped-down wardrobes. Simplifying our lives is not so much about what we give up. It’s about what we get back.
We simplify our life to amplify our experience of it.
A Little More of Less
A few other articles we think you might enjoy…
→ What Is Normal Clutter? by The Minimalists
→ The Paradox of Slow by Julia Ubbenga
→ When Things Feel Scattered by Leo Babauta
Do you have an interesting story you would like to share on Minimalism Life? We want to hear it. Click here to get involved.