Minimalism Hurricane Irma evacuation supplies

Itemized Emergency Supply List

I’ve gotten several requests to itemize my emergency supplies, so that’s what this post will do. I am what you would call a “preparer.” I like to have supplies on hand in case of emergencies. I’m not as extreme as a “prepper”, especially since I have limited space in my 500 square foot apartment to…

Read more
Minimalism Minimalist guide to emergency preparedness

Minimalist guide to emergency preparedness

I did no editing of this video, and I have no shame about it, so don’t even go there. It’s a bit long, but there’s some interesting stuff in there. I take emergency preparedness seriously. I hope you find my finger tic entertaining. Behold… A few things to add to this: My car is a…

Read more
Minimalism Traveling light to Havana Cuba

Traveling Light: What I Learned

Many of you read my Traveling Light post wherein I talked about my new system of packing for 5-day trips. After taking my first trip, I came away with some thoughts. First, the new backpack suitcase bag was fantastic quality. The compression straps were great to have, and the bag carried comfortably. It was so…

Read more
Minimalism Minimalist travel

Traveling Light

As a minimalist, I always aim for traveling light. I try not to produce much waste on my journey. I bring my own refillable water bottle and reduce my footprint whenever possible. But for my upcoming 5-day trip out of the country, I also wanted to avoid being burdened down with a lot of “stuff.”…

Read more
Minimalism Things I thought I couldn't live without

Things I Thought I Couldn’t Live Without (But Now Do)

Humans have a habit of getting into habits. We often mindlessly continue to do something, sometimes out of sheer laziness toward investigating other options. Last year I analyzed some of these habits and discovered some very interesting things. It turns out that I was wrong about the things I thought I couldn’t live without. The Night…

Read more
Minimalism Addicted to luxury

Addicted to comfort

This morning, I got an email from Indiegogo. It’s their regularly scheduled email filled with the latest and greatest campaigns people are raising money for. As I scrolled down the list of fabulous gadgets, I was reminded that people have become addicted to comfort. The first item I noticed was a key chain. As its Indiegogo…

Read more
Minimalism Lightness of minimalism

Bearable Lightness

I just finished reading The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera, and WOW! There was so much in those pages I could relate to. The book is mostly about relationships and the accompanying burdens. The people in the story who got out of serous relationships experienced the greatest feeling of lightness. They no longer felt they…

Read more
Minimalism The stress of modern life

The stress of modern life

How I got gastritis is no mystery. I’ve been a chronic headache suffering my whole life, and they’ve gotten worse since I turned 40. In fact, 2015 was the worst year on record for my headaches. In September of last year, I had 13 headaches days – almost half the month. These headaches don’t just…

Read more
Minimalism Living a meaningful life

A Meaningful Life

There are many different things that motivate people in their life. Whatever motivates you is what you will spend the most time and energy pursuing. Some people want to make money. Some people want to have a family. Some people want to advance in their career. Some people want to save money for retirement while foregoing…

Read more
Minimalism Minimalist problems

Minimalist problems

I simply adore being a minimalist, but it was scary at first for an “always prepared” person like myself to realize that I don’t need to keep a ton of things “just in case.” When’s the last time you used wax paper? Or 20 extra towels? Or that tube of some anti-fungal medication your doctor…

Read more
Minimalism Brompton and solar phone charger

My new solar phone charger

As I mentioned in a recent post, I’m a planner. One of the things I like to plan for is an emergency. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not a hardcore prepper who has a year’s worth of dehydrated food. But I do like to have in my possession the things I might need if…

Read more

Examine Your Priorities

In a world that is busy, busy, busy, how often do we take time to examine our priorities? It’s easy to think that life is expensive these days, but what does that mean? I attend a regular networking event at which people present their innovative business ideas, and while I know many of these ideas…

Read more

Don’t be afraid to make plans

I am a maker of plans. I like to take a clean piece of paper and lay out an entire plan for some exciting project. I cover the whens, wheres, whys and hows. I write detailed ideas and specifics. I do hours and hours of research. I refine my ideas. I read and refine the…

Read more

Citizen consumer

My world is changing. After so many years of being under a spell, I no longer identify myself as a consumer. I buy next to nothing except food and a regular coffee (for which I bring my own container). I am not feeding the demand for more manufacturing. Sometimes when I walk down the street and don’t…

Read more

Downsizing: take your time

Many people try to approach the new trend of downsizing with frenzied exuberance, making huge piles of things to throw out or give away. They’re trying to quit materialism cold turkey. But you don’t have to get rid of everything you own, and you don’t have to downsize in one day. It’s better to take your time…

Read more