Tag: less-is-more
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Sit on a Pumpkin
Thoreau would rather have a plain seat to himself than a fancy one in a crowd. Here’s a one-week way to find the pumpkin version of your own life.
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A Thatched Roof Once Covered Free Men
Seneca, one of the richest men in Rome, knew what a marble house really costs. Here’s a one-week way to make your home work for you.
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Positive Hindrances
Thoreau said many comforts don’t just fail to help, they get in the way. Here’s a one-week trial to find out which of yours still earn their keep.
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Possessed by Our Possessions
Peace Pilgrim had a simple test for anything you own: has it outlived its usefulness, and can you let it go? Here’s how to run it on one shelf this week.
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The Maximum of Well-Being
“Since consumption is merely a means to human well-being, the aim should be to obtain the maximum of well-being with the minimum of consumption.” E. F. Schumacher, Small Is Beautiful (1973). One concrete way to get more well-being from less stuff this week.
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A Nobler Art of Leaving Things Undone
“Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is a nobler art of leaving things undone.” Lin Yutang, The Importance of Living (1937). One concrete way to practice leaving the nonessential undone this week.
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We Used Them Because We Had Them
Seneca on how much we use simply because it’s there, and a one-week test to find out what you actually need.
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Find Out What You Really Need
Marie Kondo on why clearing out comes before knowing what you need, and one small category to test it on this week.
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Three Chairs in My House
Thoreau furnished his tiny Walden cabin for everyday life, not the rare party. Here is how to try that idea in your own home this week.
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Subtract the Obvious, Add the Meaningful
“Simplicity is about subtracting the obvious and adding the meaningful.” John Maeda, The Laws of Simplicity John Maeda makes simplicity sound like editing, not deprivation. You remove what is loud and obvious, then you protect what actually matters. That is a useful way to think when life feels crowded for no good reason. The obvious…
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Promote What You Most Value
“Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of anything that distracts us from them.” Joshua Becker, The More of Less Joshua Becker puts the spotlight where it belongs. Minimalism is not a contest to own the fewest objects. It is a quiet decision about what gets your attention,…
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Living With Less Is a Life Philosophy
“Living with less is a life philosophy; it’s not about the number of things you own.” Tammy Strobel, You Can Buy Happiness (and It’s Cheap) Tiny house photos make it easy to turn simple living into a numbers game. How many square feet. How many items in the closet. How few mugs on the shelf.…