Think-Back-On-It Thursday #9 - Travel

By
Amazingly, I've written 500 posts for Maximum Gratitude, Minimal Stuff, and I'm in the process of revising my older writing. I'm happy to notice that some of those older posts are really interesting and useful.


But many of you are newer readers and have never seen posts that were written in 2018, 2019, or even last summer or fall. And if you've been a faithful reader for quite a while (thank you, by the way), you've probably forgotten. I wrote the stuff, and I've forgotten parts of it!


It's worth visiting what we've written, read, or thought before, as both a reminder and for new insights. So on selected Thursdays, instead of posting new content, I'm going to direct you toward posts of the past that I think are worth a re-read.


one suitcase



Always travel light.


Many of us are traveling this summer, finally going on some of the big trips we planned and postponed during the pandemic. Jon and I will enjoy a short stay on the coast, saving a longer trip for November, when we plan to fly with our two older grandsons to visit Jon's mother in Arizona.


Traveling gives us the chance to live with less, since we take only a small fraction of our belongings when we leave home. Packing a suitcase is good practice for choosing only what you need and want and leaving the rest behind. It's very minimalist.


Here are some posts about aspects of travel to put you in a minimalist mindset.





What Are the Joys and Advantages of Minimalist Travel? from June 11, 2021

Traveling lightly creates ease and flexibility, and traveling close to home lets you enjoy small adventures more often than the occasional big trip. Making the most of the least is one way to be happier every day.


Make More Memories by Taking Fewer Photos, from June 7, 2021

We're so used to taking photos of everything that we might not realize we're offloading our memories instead of making them. If you want to preserve your special moments, put your camera down, pay attention, and use all of your senses.


Travel Light, from September 27, 2019

Taking a vacation gives you the chance to carry only the essentials and leave time for free time. Minimalism can help you do that every day.


How to Do More than Dream: Answer the Lottery Question, from February 28, 2022

What would you want to do with your time and talents if money were no object? Would you want to travel and spend every day like you were on vacation? Or would you want to find something to do? Here's how to explore your passion right now and make a life you enjoy.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

9 Best Shopping Hacks for Your Successful Minimalist Wardrobe

By
Image
If you haven't already checked it out...  I was named an expert in an ApartmentGuide article. Check out the featured article : How to Declutter Your Home Fast: Tips From Our Experts | ApartmentGuide I used to spend most weekends and even some evenings after work shopping for clothes.  I often told myself I was "just looking," but the truth is, the more we "look," the more we buy.  I couldn't keep money in a savings account, and I always had credit card debt, but it took me many years to notice the connection between my shopping habits and my lack of funds.  (I know – dumb.) So I had a closet full of clothes, but "nothing" to wear – or so I told myself as I made yet another trip to the mall.  I'd buy clothes that I'd wear once or twice, at which point I'd realize I didn't like them as much as I thought, they didn't look as good on me as I had believed, or they had stretched, shrunk, faded, balled up, or otherwise been ruined in
Read more

How to Edit Everything

By
Image
Here's a simple truth:  The more items we own, the less we value them.   For example, digital photos are abundant, and it's easy to take more.  As a result, we rarely look at them.  But the single black-and-white snapshot of your grandparents' wedding might be framed and displayed proudly. How about overstuffed closets filled with "nothing to wear"?  We often choose the same five or six outfits over and over. And the more scented candles or fancy moisturizers we collect, the more likely we are to shove them into a cupboard, never to be used again.  The more nail files or flashlights we own, the less likely we are to be able to find one when we need it. The opposite of more Our cupboards and closets burst with items we need to clean, organize, maintain, upgrade, store, and retrieve.  It's exhausting.  But here's another simple truth that fixes everything:  The less we own, the more we use and enjoy what we have.   Think of: your leather jacket that tops alm
Read more

The Challenge to Stop Saying "I Can't" About Minimalism

By
Image
When I talk about simplifying to non-minimalists, their first reaction is usually positive.  Everyone would like a bit more peace and focus in their schedules.  Everyone would like simpler home care, with less frustration when it comes to the tasks we need to do every day, such as getting dressed, preparing meals, and corralling toys. As the conversation continues, however, they often become less enthusiastic.  Of course, minimalism is a challenge in our consumerist culture.  Yes, it requires a period of adaptation.  But plenty of people come to the conclusion they could never make such a lifestyle change. I thought less was impossible. When I mention giving up unnecessary shopping, people may agree.  But once we get to specifics of wearing fewer clothes and shoes, buying fewer restaurant meals, traveling less often and closer to home, perhaps considering a smaller house or fewer vehicles, those same people get uncomfortable.  The thought of buying fewer fancy coffee drinks, fewer sal
Read more

How to Make Habits that Stick: A Simple Guide to Change Your Life

By
Image
Most of us were taught a lot of good habits when we were younger, and that pays dividends now.  We may make our beds, turn off lights, and eat the occasional vegetable because Mom nagged us into it.  Thank you, Mom! Habits matter because they make life easier. We all have plenty of things to do and think about, and habits relieve some of the pressure.  A habit is a subconscious routine or behavior that's repeated regularly.  We don't have to plan to brush our teeth, wash our hands, or put on clean socks.  Our brains choose the path of least resistance, so if we have habits in place, those well-worn tracks will be activated without effort. The downside of habits Unfortunately, not all habits are beneficial.  Do you complain every time you're stuck in traffic?  That's habit.  Do you grab a snack when you watch TV?  Habit.  Do you check your phone as soon as you're awake?  Habit. For better or worse, your life is the result of your habits.  That's why forming good
Read more

Why You Should Make "Less is More" Your Mantra for Life

By
Image
Maybe you've heard the saying popularized by architect Mies van der Rohe in 1947:  "Less is more." It's an oxymoron – a phrase that seems to contradict itself.  Others include "old news," "open secret," "unbiased opinion," and "awfully good."  Or the lament, "Parting is such sweet sorrow." What does "less is more" mean?  It's wonderfully open-ended.  Answers to that are as varied as the people who reply.  Consider: Less anxiety, more peace. Less debt, more savings. Less busywork, more substance. Less clutter, more space. Less comparison, more contentment. Less sugar, more vegetables. Voluntary simplicity Back in the 1990s, a fair number of Americans realized that the continual quest for more and better was stressing them out and keeping them from creating lives of purpose.  After the consumerist binge of the yuppie-era 80s, some started wondering if the big house, flashy car, exotic vacation, and Rolex we
Read more