Posts tagged #minimalism

Green Living: More Life, Less Stuff

There were seventeen sets of nail clippers. Books were on the shelves, books in boxes under the bed, and even more books in the attic. I found at least two dozen pairs of eyeglasses each with a sunglass inset. A microscope. Three weed whackers, four typewriters, and the boxes from every appliance he owned. At least 15 winter coats—why so many coats?

Hitting the Road: Life and Love in a Backpack

The end of 2018 brought a drastic change in my life. I had been on the road for sixteen months before I moved to the charming town of Ann Arbor. I went to Italy over Christmas to visit family, and until then I had been travelling around Asia. My plan was to carry on with my nomadic life. I was going back to Thailand for the month of January, then I was going to make my way back to China, where I was temporarily living and working as an outdoor guide. I had decided that when I grew tired, I would move on toward new horizons, maybe to New Zealand or Australia.

Posted on January 1, 2020 and filed under Issue #74, Minimalism, Travel.

One Step Toward Zero Waste

There was genuine shock on my face when my youngest sister, at just 11-years-old, accompanied me to a Starbucks on a weekend visit and very firmly told the barista that no, thank you, she did not need a straw. She had brought her own. My shock continued as she reached into her purse and pulled out a reusable metal straw. After she finished her drink, she then lovingly washed it out and put it away before we continued with our day. I’d like to say I taught her that, but unfortunately this is one I can’t take credit for. She informed me it was a trend among children her age right now, all of them buying reusable straws with the rallying cry of “save the turtles.”

Room to Breathe — Organizing for Happiness and Harmony

How one's personal space, be it home or work, is organized has a great impact on one's energy, productivity, and sense of self. Organization, use, and harmony among multiple users of the space all have a hand in affecting our well-being. To some, well-organized means sparse, but this can be detrimental to usability and may not work for everyone. Luckily, there are a number of tools at our disposal to bring organization and harmony to our living spaces.