I’ve written before about how essentialism compares to similar concepts explored on this site, such minimalism and intentional living. But I want to use this post to provide a simple and straightforward definition for “essentialism.” I’ll provide a summary of the definition of essentialism and how it can change your life here. But I highly recommend that you read Greg McKeown’s book for a full picture. It was powerful enough for me that I used the term in the title for this site, after all. What is McKeown’s Definition of Essentialism? The short definition is in the book’s subtitle: “the disciplined pursuit of less.” It’s an engaging title because it seems…
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I’ve written before about my journey from compulsive over-packer to a carry-on only international traveler. If you often end up with an overweight suitcase, frantically transferring things from one bag to another at the airport, this post is for you. First, I’ll explain how to approach packing for carry-on only travel and then I’ll provide a full one-week packing list for vacation. I changed my whole approach toward packing almost a decade ago (read this post for guidance on how to do that). Instead of trying to maximize how much an airline will allow me to bring onboard, I travel internationally with just a carry-on suitcase and a light backpack.…
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Do you constantly grapple to get control over your time management and goals? Tell me if this sounds familiar: You start your day with a to do list, stay busy all day, and somehow by evening only a portion of it was done. Or you start your year with a list of goals or resolutions only to reevaluate months later and realize you’ve only made minor progress toward any of them. If so, you probably mentally berate yourself for your lack of organization, laziness, or any number of other shortcomings. Well, here I’m going to share the secret to managing your time and accomplishing all your goals. You are not…
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So, you want to become a minimalist. You’re ready to chuck out 90% of what you own. Ok, maybe just declutter your house. If you’re in a relationship and your partner also caught the minimalism bug, you may end up going ultra minimalist, building a tiny home, or trying out the #vanlife lifestyle. But what if your partner is not as interested in the idea of decluttering as you are? What if they’re even kind of a hoarder? Believe it or not, that doesn’t have to prevent you from living your clutter-free dreams. Read on for some practical tips about how to become a minimalist when your partner is not. …
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If you found your way here, it’s because you’re interested in a minimalist lifestyle, or at the very least tips for how to declutter your home. A lot of people are attracted to this philosophy, but we all have different motivations when it comes to adopting a minimalist lifestyle. Searching for decluttering tips online will come up with a variety of recommendations from various bloggers and authors, but you’ll find that what works for one person will not necessarily work for another. You may have even tried decluttering tips you found online and discovered that they just did not apply to you. So how do you know what will…
