Author: Kathy

We all know the feeling. We see or hear something and become upset. An external event alters our mood and we don’t know why. Whether its global news or local events, we adopt some kind of reaction. Unfortunately, most reactions will not eliminate our subconscious negativity, let alone influence the incident itself. This is why we need a proper minimalist response to negative outside events.  In 2015, I was living in Paris. I studied law at the Sorbonne University and spent my weekends visiting cultural institutions, drinking in bars, and wandering the city’s picturesque streets.  One rainy Friday night in…

Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to be a modern-day explorer. I caught the travel bug early and started venturing to faraway lands at every opportunity. This article may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclaimer policy here. Fast forward to 2020 and I’ve been to over 50 countries and to every continent. I now consider my travel style fit for every purpose and fully adjustable. On this basis, here are my 10 principles of minimalist traveling.  Most seasoned travelers will be familiar with the concepts of over- or underpacking. When I first started traveling – way back in…

A couple of years ago, I decided to welcome minimalism into my life. Not because of trendiness, anti-materialism, or even sustainability. Minimalism simply seemed like a clever way to improve my productivity and to travel more. Aside from that, I started to notice many other benefits – unrelated to decluttering. On this basis, here are 8 things I learned through minimalism.  This article may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclaimer policy here. Most benefits of being a minimalist came over time. Minimalism was a catalyst for change and worked itself into different areas of my personal and professional life. Things…

What’s the difference between a dream and a goal? A dream is often a blurred vision, missing one key element: a plan. Together with a coherent plan and a progress tracker, a dream can become an achievable goal. This is where a proper goal setting worksheet comes into play.  This article may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclaimer policy here. You may have come across the term “smart goal”. This stands for specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely. Once these elements are combined, any goal becomes a practical to-do as opposed to an abstract concept.  To make your life easier,…

Procrastination is like a slot machine. Putting a few coins in sounds fun, but once you’re at it, you don’t stop. You start with an innocent 5-minute spell before realizing that your time and money are running away. To ward off the negative ramifications of work deferrals, here are eight minimalist ways to overcome procrastination. This article may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclaimer policy here. We’re all guilty of delaying crucial tasks in one way or another. A Facebook message here, a Youtube video there – and our two minutes of downtime turn into two hours. “Putting things off…

Can books really change your life? I believe they can. A combination of wisdom, usability, and timelessness is rare – but once attained – it can engender an eye-opening lesson. On this basis, here are ten books that changed my life.   This article may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclaimer policy here. If you follow this blog, you’ll know that I read a lot. By “a lot,” I mean more than most people. I read 3-4 books every month, and I am always on the hunt for new inspiration – be it fiction or nonfiction. While most books lack the…

Most people don’t want to hear about an ultimate night routine. Shouldn’t we just chill after a long day of work? Put some deep-fried food in the microwave, open a beer, and watch a couple of episodes of the newest Netflix series?  The image might sound tempting, but it’s also a productivity killer. Bad evening habits will tarnish the quality of your sleep and impair the prosperity of your next day.  English tutors are individuals who provide personalized assistance to learners seeking to improve their English language skills. They offer guidance in areas such as grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, writing,…

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…