Author: Kathy

Seriously, you live a minimalist lifestyle? Does that mean you are super frugal and don’t buy anything beyond the strictly necessary? These are the kinds of questions you get when affirming your minimalist lifestyle. Minimalism and frugality are, in fact, often confused. To shine a light on their divergences, here is a short comparison: minimalism vs frugality.  To make it simple, minimalism is about living intentionally on your own terms. Frugality, on the other hand, is the quality of being economical with your spending and resources.  The way I see minimalism – as a mindset to bolster your decision-making process…

Not many ancient philosophers influence modern thinking quite like Marcus Aurelius. Roman Emperor between AD 161 and 180, Aurelius’ writings nowadays illustrate the deep-rooted connection between Stoicism and minimalism. This article may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclaimer policy here. Marcus Aurelius never had it easy. His small stature and fragile health made him an unlikely candidate for the Roman throne and his tenure started badly. Wars, invasions, and chronic pain nearly ended Aurelius’ reign before it had gotten off the ground. The future master of perception needed to get his focus right, or else he would be replaced. Adept…

For years, I struggled to set up my minimalist EDC. It was either too much, too little, or not versatile enough. After testing countless products and configurations, I finally found a formula.  This article may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclaimer policy here. Consisting of 7 things I never leave the house without, this modus operandi works in any country and any conditions.  As I consider myself an essentialist – adhering to the “fewer but better” rule – I choose high-quality, long-lasting products when it comes to my everyday carry.  The 7 things I never leave the house without I…

Mindful living is often associated with “less.” Less stuff, less burden, and less consumption. Get rid of your things, buy less – and your life will be fulfilled. That’s a misinterpretation. A simple decline in consumption – without the proper attitude – will not improve your life in the long run. The nuance lies in intentional consumption.   This article may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclaimer policy here. Intentionality focuses on the reasons behind a certain consumer decision. When talking about mindful living, many people highlight the sustainability argument – live mindfully to reduce your ecological footprint. All well and…

While seeking simplicity, many people underestimate the effectiveness of seemingly banal daily routines. In this sense, we try to declutter our home with a wrecking ball before emptying the trash can. That’s where a daily “good habits list” comes into play.  This article may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclaimer policy here. At the beginning of my minimalist journey, I was determined to get rid of at least 50 % of my material possessions. It seemed like a reasonable benchmark.  I arranged a couple of boxes in my living room and started sorting. After a while, I realized that this…

People often wonder whether minimalists live without couches, plates, and central heating. There ought to be “big” sacrifices, right? Big decisions can yield results, but a combination of small changes can also make a significant impact. This article may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclaimer policy here. The following are ten things I stopped buying as a minimalist. Most of these don’t cost a fortune, but they surreptitiously empty your wallet. 10 things I stopped buying as a minimalist  I should stress that I don’t live in an absolutist world. Exceptions do exist, but these are the products I stopped…

“In order to seek one’s own direction, one must simplify the mechanics of ordinary, everyday life.” – Plato This article may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclaimer policy here. Developing a minimalist mindset sounds easy, but how does it work in practice? How do we incorporate minimalist principles into our everyday life? It all starts with concrete acts of simplification and prioritization.  Adopt a minimalist mindset in 10 steps The following are ten practical steps on your way to an essentialist attitude. 1. Write down 5 priorities in different areas of your life Minimalism is all about setting priorities and…

We all know the drill. We have taken the decision to declutter our home and to simplify our life in the process. We toss stuff, donate stuff, and sell stuff. Suddenly, between a set of dusty World War Two lamps, we spot our childhood teddy bear.  This article may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclaimer policy here. When organizing our home, we come across three major categories of items: the essential, the expendable, and the doubtful.  The first group contains the items which we use every day as well as sentimental objects. Think of your bed, your most important clothes,…

We all want more time. We constantly crave longer deadlines and calmer schedules. This is intrinsically wrong. To put it bluntly, no one has more time than anyone else. This article may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclaimer policy here. Everyone’s days have 24 hours. No more, no less. This is why lamenting the busyness of our lives will get us nowhere.  Ergo, our focus has to shift from wanting more time toward improving the content of our days.  By tweaking your daily routine, minimalism can make you more productive. This will ultimately lead to a more balanced daily rhythm and…

“There seems to be some perverse human characteristic that likes to make easy things difficult.”  This article may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclaimer policy here. With a net worth of over 82.5 billion dollars, Warren Buffett is the third richest man on the planet. Humble, passionate, and relentless, the 90-year-old has become an American business icon but also a model for modesty and generosity.  The founder of Berkshire Hathaway loves simple things and focuses on what matters most. On this basis, here are 9 minimalist rules to learn from Warren Buffett.  Warren Buffett’s minimalist rules 1. Always live below…