simplifying

June 20, 2016March 5, 2018

A Book for the Budding Minimalist {The More of Less}

A Book for the Budding Minimalist {A Review of The More of Less by Joshua Becker}

Usually the concept of “minimalism” evokes images of eliminating our creature comforts, meditating in bare white rooms or downsizing to a tiny home in Montana. But in The More of Less, author and blogger, Joshua Becker, sets out to convince us of the paradox that living a minimalist lifestyle will not strip away, but actually enhance the life we were meant to live.

This book is a practical how-to book for the minimalist novice looking to explore the benefits of a simpler lifestyle. As I already agreed with Becker’s concepts of minimalism at the outset, I didn’t need a lot of convincing and personally found the first half of the book to be purely common sense. But the second half of the book offered so much practical advice on how to actually incorporate minimalist ideas into the average American’s life that I found it to be a gem in the midst of so many books now available on this current trend.

Becker humbly incorporates the wisdom of other popular minimalist gurus in his discussion and his bibliography offers a wide range of resources for those looking to do a more in depth exploration of minimalism.

Becker’s clear and relatable writing style gives readers the “guy next door” impression that might empower middle class Americans to feel that they, too, might be able to make some simple changes to their life of excess.

While other currently popular books on minimalism focus on decluttering or organizing possessions, Becker makes a wider sweep and considers how being more intentional about the number of our kitchen utensils, clothes or cars also impacts our family, friends, goals and aspirations to make a difference in the world.

Most other resources about minimalism today focus on the individual benefits to self and the ways we will have happier lives as we purge our possessions, but Becker reveals how having more time and money will enable us to help others through volunteering, giving and generally just having more time for people. Becker points out that our choices to intentionally own less will free up our time and finances so that we can be a blessing to others. This—not just personal happiness—is what he describes as the paradox of “the more of less.” He says, “It’s about having a smaller material lifestyle so you can experience a bigger life, full of passion and purpose. Own less to live more” (212).

If you are looking to live a more counter-cultural lifestyle and transition from feeling controlled to being in control of your possessions, finances and time, then this book is for you.

~~~

I received a free copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for writing this honest review.

**This post contains Amazon Affiliate Links

21 Ways to Live Counter-Culturally

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April 25, 2016

21 Ways to Live Counter-culturally

After living in China five years, I came back to the U.S. drinking hot water, line-drying all my clothes, and being shocked that I was expected to wait in lines instead of moving as a mob as we did in China. But living abroad changed me at the soul level as well, so I didn’t want to jump right back into the same life I lived before.

Lately, I’ve been brainstorming ways to live counter-culturally in our western culture of excess and materialism.

The following list is not meant to cast judgment (because the last thing we need is more guilt over not “doing” enough). But in grace, I want to invite you to intentionally consider ways that we can live more counter-culturally. I personally want to live according to the ideals of Jesus instead of just floating along in culture’s stream.

Here are 21 ways to live more counter-culturally with a few resources listed below some of the topics (not in any particular order). I’ll be expanding on many of these in the months to come, so be sure to subscribe to emails or follow me on Facebook or Twitter so you don’t miss out on the discussion!

Here’s what I’ve come up with so far:

1. Buy second-hand clothes, cars, toys and furniture.

The True Cost, a documentary now on Netflix, revolutionized the way I think about my clothes. Now I’m attempting to buy as much as possible second-hand. Here are some ways to do that (besides Craigslist or Ebay):

Clothing consignment stores (buy & sell): Once Upon a Child (kids), Clothes Mentor (women)

Online used clothing (buy & sell): ThredUp (women & children), Kidizen (children)

Article: 35 Fair Trade and Ethical Clothing Brands that are Betting Against Fast Fashion

2. Prioritize getting out of debt.

Financial Peace University has many resources to help with this.

3. Have significantly less (or no!) toys.

Book: Simplicity Parenting, by Kim John Payne, has a great section on kids’ toys.

Articles:

“Why Fewer Toys Will Actually Benefit Your Kids,” by Joshua Becker

“Why I Took My Kids’ Toys Away (And Why They Won’t Get Them Back,” by Ruth Soukup (and her follow-up post one year later)

4. Live in a smaller home (and have kids share bedrooms).

Cheaper to buy, less to clean and maintain.

“Why parents are choosing to have kids share rooms even when there’s space,“ by Danielle Braff for The Chicago Tribune

5. Have just one car.

Not possible for everyone, but certainly for many!

6. Don’t just give out of your surplus (if you go to church, why stop at a 10% tithe?).

Ask yourself: Does my breath catch a bit when I give?

7. (Especially if you’re white) Educate yourself about the race problems in the United States.

As a very basic start:

Podcast: Black & White: Racism in America, The Liturgists

Book: Just Mercy, by Bryan Stevenson

Article: How White Privilege Affects 8 People of Color on a Day-to-Day Basis

8. Use your credit card like a debit card (don’t spend money you don’t have).

SNL skit: “Don’t Buy Stuff You Cannot Afford” (with Steve Martin & Amy Poehler)

Articles:

20 Ways Americans Are Blowing Their Money (2014, USA Today)

2015 American Household Credit Card Debt Study (referenced by Huffington post)

9. Have a routine of rest and Sabbath.

Scraping Raisins blog post: Sabbath Rhythms

10. Purge/declutter frequently.

Book: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, by Marie Kondo (you can read my review here)

11. Avoid cable T.V. (especially commercials!)–or don’t have a T.V. at all.

12. Seek actual friendships with people who are different from you.

Scraping Raisins post: The Ugly Truth about Diversity

13. Read more books.

Podcast: What Should I Read Next? (Anne Bogel)

Blog: Modern Mrs. Darcy (Anne Bogel)

Site: Goodreads

14. Have personal and house rules about technology.

Scraping Raisins post: Overcoming Smartphone Addiction

15. Have an exchange student or international student live with you.

Here’s a post about our experience: When the Nations Come to You

16. Think about what you’re putting in landfills. Buy in bulk. Use reusable containers.

40 Ways to Go Greener at Home…Besides Just Recycling, by Tsh Oxenreider

17. Prioritize people.

Scraping Raisins posts: When I Forget to Notice People and White People are Boring

18. Be a front yard person instead of an inside or backyard person (get to know your neighbors).

Blogger Kristin Schlle set up a turquoise table in her front yard to build community in her neighborhood. You can check out her story here.

19. Be open to adopt a child, be a foster parent or join Safe Families.

Safe Families is a program some of my friends have done where kids live with you temporarily so they don’t have to go into the foster care system.

20. Sponsor a child internationally.

I’ve participated in Compassion International before, so I can vouch that they are legit. I also have relationships with an organization in Uganda called Focus that is doing really great work with college students and slum children in Kampala.

21. Practice hospitality and opening your home to others (even if it isn’t always pretty).

Check out If Gathering

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Additional Resources:

Websites:

The Minimalists, The Art of Simple, Becoming Minimalist

Podcasts:

The Minimalists, The Simple Show (The Art of Simple), Shalom in the City

Books:

Simplicity Parenting, by Kim John Payne; 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess, by Jen Hatmaker

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Which of these would you like to read more about?

I have some ideas and research in the works, but would love to hear your opinions!

~~~

Previous Post: The Cult of Calling {A Life Overseas}

Next Post: When Life is Less Radical Than You Imagined {Mudroom}

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March 22, 2016

KonMari Krazy {The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up}

Oh, I had high hopes for this book, and the title promises that your life will be transformed by a few simple steps as you first declutter your home, then put every object in its rightful place.

I believe most people in America, myself included, live excessively. This is probably one of the reasons that this book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying-Up, along with many other books, articles and podcasts on minimalism have become so popular. We at least recognize the need to change and to reduce the materialism in our lives. Amen to that.

This book certainly offers solutions for that kind of change. I’m just not sure how practical the solutions actually are.

~~~

Immediately after reading the book, I of course convinced my husband to spend our Saturday kids’ nap time sorting through all of our clothes.  “She said we have to sort by category, not by room,” I told my husband. “First clothes, then books, then miscellaneous items, then sentimental stuff. But we have to start with clothes and we have to spread them out on the floor.”

He looked less than thrilled. So in line with the KonMari method, I started by pulling out every stitch of clothing that I own and spreading it on the floor in our bedroom. I tried not to nag too much as I noticed my husband placing a few items in neat stacks on the bed, leaving the rest to eyeball in his drawers.

“Now,” I said, “we have to hold every item and ask ourselves, ‘Does it spark joy?’ And if it does, then we keep it.  If not, it goes.”

“That’s what she says to do!” I said, as I caught a slight eye roll.

We skipped the advice on folding a certain way and stacking clothes in drawers vertically so you could see all of the items at once (mainly because I already wrestle my sheets into submission rather than fold them and don’t iron clothing, so why would I create more stress for myself?)

We managed to round up three garbage bags full of clothes that didn’t “spark joy” just as the kids woke up from their naps.

~~~

This all took us about two hours and did not include going through all of the children’s clothes in drawers, bins and closets throughout the house. According to the KonMari Method, all the sorting of every category is to be done all at once so you can enjoy the feeling of accomplishment and (ahem) never go back to your untidy ways again.

If you are a parent, then by now you’re protesting loudly in your head (or audibly as I did while reading the book), “Um, what are you supposed to do with your kids as you: 1. spread everything out on the floor, 2. fondle each item, reflecting on the joy it brings you, 3. move on to the next category, 4. repeat, and then 5. actually put everything in a reasonable location so you will never have to tidy again (her promise)?

This book needs a sequel with modifications for those of us with children who rage against tidiness.

~~~

The author is Japanese, so there are definite signs of her culture and religion coming through her writing (which I find fascinating) as she treats her possessions like people, thanking them for supporting her throughout her day. She greets her house as she comes in the door and unloads her purse every.single.day. so that it can have a rest for the night from doing its work (naturally). Throughout the book, she reiterates that being surrounded by things that spark joy is what makes people happy.

I agree that many of our problems are tied to our possessions, but I don’t believe that our joy should come from them.

The best part of reading this book for me was the constant permission and encouragement to purge–even if there’s still a very remote possibility you might read or wear an item in the future. Sometimes you just need someone looking over your shoulder, saying, “Yes, you should give that away. Just do it!” Marie Kondo is that voice of tough love. So while I can honestly say that while my possessions may not all “spark joy” within me, through reading this, I am inspired to declutter and take control of my environment rather than allow my possessions to control me. And that is something to spark some joy.

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Category: simplifying

A Book for the Budding Minimalist {The More of Less}

21 Ways to Live Counter-culturally

KonMari Krazy {The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up}

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