Weekly newsletter
I. Prompts for motivation
Do you often buy things you don’t actually need? What kinds of items come to mind that you struggle to refrain from adding to your shopping cart and fighting the impulsivity?
Are there any objects in your immediate environment that you can easily get rid of? How do you think your mentality could benefit from a spacious, less cluttered environment?
II. Thoughts for intention
The simple truth is our surroundings have more influence on our mentality than we’d like to admit. Research on the topic shows that our immediate vicinity has a profound impact on our emotions, focus, and behavior. Basic things like noise, clutter, light, and access to nature can shape our cognitive performance and stress levels. This is why tidy, well-lit spaces do wonders for our brain, mood, and state of mind.
We might not be aware of what’s happening at the moment, but messy, chaotic environments send constant cortisol levels to the body. This has a likelihood of increasing stress and anxiety. But we can turn this around by changing our spaces with real intentionality, creating a calmer space for enhanced focus and clarity.
III. Ideas for preparation
We can practice minimalism by taking the time every week to curate our possessions. Take a quick scan on a regular basis to notice what kinds of areas are building up with items that serve no genuine purpose. One way to approach this with consistency is by scheduling a block of time dedicated to reducing things in your household that are only taking up unnecessary space. Over time, it gets easier to see the positive effects this habit has on your daily energy and sense of abundance.
Sometimes, it’s extremely hard to stop buying the things we’ve become accustomed to shopping for without noticing. This can be anything. While staple items are recurring for a reason, the real non-essential items can only be known by the individual. One way to mitigate this is by sticking to a pre-written list. This keeps you from grabbing a bunch of things out of random and gets you committed to finding the actual necessities you really want.
IV. Quotes for inspiration
“This protest spoke to me—the humanist principles felt connected to the minimalist essence of long-distance hiking, the desire to transcend the smoke and mirrors of our country’s established society, revealing what remains in all its splendor: the magnificent, resilient human soul.”
― Aspen Matis, Your Blue Is Not My Blue: A Missing Person Memoir
“Minimalism isn’t about removing the things you love. It’s about removing the things that distract you from the things you love.”
― Joshua Becker, The Minimalist Home: A Room-by-Room Guide to a Decluttered, Refocused Life
