Author: Kathy

In our current climate, many people use the phrase “when things go back to normal.” Such an attitude has negative consequences. “Normality” is a volatile concept. Throughout all of our history, changes helped humans evolve and thrive. On this basis, if you want to improve in 2021, stop wishing for normality.  “Normal” was undoubtedly one of the most-used words in 2020.  I will travel again when things go back to normal. We live in the “new normal.” And most importantly, I wish for normality.  The Oxford English Dictionary defines the term as “the state of being usual, typical, or expected.”…

Powerful questions offer a pathway to a better life. By regularly questioning your values, decisions, priorities, and habits, you live more intentionally. And this increased intentionality will help you approach life with more determination, focus, and serenity. On this basis, here are six minimalism questions that will change your life.  This article may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclaimer policy here. Many people want to improve their lives by consuming deliberately, redefining their attitudes toward work, and building new habits.  However, before all of that, you need to ask the right questions.  Questions are the starting point for any personal…

It’s that time of the year again. After a tumultuous 2020, we are approaching New Year, and most of us are drafting resolutions. However, many people worry about the future. We don’t know where our ship is heading and how we should steer it. In this context, minimalism can help you regain control by re-orientating your focus and accompanying your resolutions with the right habits. On this basis, here are seven ways to approach the new year worry-free. This article may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclaimer policy here. New Year’s resolutions often fail. On December 31, we sit down…

2020 has been an eventful year. With all the storms that blew in different directions, books were a great companion. On this basis, here are the ten best books I read in 2020. This article may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclaimer policy here. In 2020, I read a total of 56 books. By comparison, I only read 44 books in 2019, but this year’s lockdowns – coupled with a reduction in travel – provided more reading opportunities. The following are my favorite reads from the year. To be specific, most of these books didn’t come out in 2020, but…

2020 has been a year of monumental changes. Unsuspecting cubicle workers got their first taste of remote work. Social upheavals questioned the status quo. And worse still, many countries headed into a full-blown recession. An optimist by nature, I am not going to whine about the “year that could have been.” Instead, here are ten powerful lessons that the year 2020 taught me. This article may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclaimer policy here. On a rainy day in March 2020, I received the news.  The country is going into lockdown. All flights – except for humanitarian and repatriation flights…

When we feel distracted, directionless, or uninspired in our endeavors, fresh starts can work magic. As such, new beginnings can reinvigorate our efforts. No matter if you’re adopting new habits, working on a creative project, or improving your physique, a fresh start can provide impetus in times of trouble.  Fresh starts are much more meaningful than New Year’s resolutions.  We all know the drill. We eat a lot during the holidays, feel guilty, and decide to buy a gym membership on January 1st.  In most cases, people who take on fluffy engagements at the start of the year fail to…

Minimalism is an intriguing subject these days. Whether it’s Netflix documentaries, Youtube channels, or design-focused content, the term “minimalist” appears everywhere. But how do we utilize the benefits of minimalism in practice? In other words, how do we begin our minimalist journey? Here is a step-by-step guide on how to apply minimalism today. Minimalism begins with a two-faced recognition.  First, you realize that you have too much stuff and that the clutter in your home hurts your productivity, mindfulness, and serenity.  Secondly, you want to boost your decision-making processes, both in the field of consumption and life in general.  In…

Lifestyle design isn’t some kind of millionaire fantasy. Through smart prioritization, living the way you want is more accessible than ever. But what does that mean in practice? To clarify the notion, here are seven essential principles of lifestyle design. This article may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclaimer policy here. The term “lifestyle design” was first popularized by Silicon Valley investor-turned bestseller author Tim Ferriss.  In his groundbreaking 2007 book The 4-Hour Workweek, Ferriss describes lifestyle design as a means to enjoy the present instead of following society’s conventional study-work-retire sequence.   In this context, he challenges the idea that…

Minimalist travel is an art. It takes a lot of time and practice to master it, and there are many variants. In this context, one of the primary challenges is to find your essentials. Once determined, those essentials will form the basis of your minimalist packing list, creating a set of core items that work on any journey. On this basis, here is my minimalist world traveler kit. This article may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclaimer policy here. Whether you want to travel full-time or go on a two-week adventure, minimalist travel essentials will simplify the journey.  I’ve been…

Productivity is a genuine superpower. Many people chase it, but few attain it. The problem often lies in working too much on tasks that don’t have a significant impact. We focus on working hard instead of identifying the most effective actions. That’s where the following books on productivity come into play.  This article may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclaimer policy here. Productivity is a straightforward concept.  Rather than counting your hours, measure your success by results. How much did you accomplish in those hours?  Working for eight hours isn’t challenging. Coming up with satisfying results in eight hours, however,…