Maximum Gratitude, Minimal Stuff

I'm a night owl, always have been.  I learned to function on five hours of sleep because I had to.  I couldn't fall asleep before midnight or 1:00 a.m., yet I had to be present for the worlds of school, work, and motherhood, which began early in the day. My natural bent, however, is to stay up all night, go to bed between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m., and wake up just before 6:00 p.m., feeling refreshed and energized.  I should have been an ICU nurse, like my sister. I love early mornings, and they are a lovely feature of life whether you're a lark rising like the majority of the human race, or whether you've been up all night and are ready for a stretch and a reset. The perfect morning routine will set you up for success during the rest of the day, and it's especially important to establish good habits if you're an owl trying to survive in a lark's world.  No one wants to feel fuzzy or sluggish.  No one wants to feel that they're running behind and trying to ca...

We're often told that the secret to financial ease and peace is living below our means.  Simply put, this means spending less than you earn.  It sounds straightforward, but it can be hard to do. In large part, that's because our culture pushes us to spend everything we have and then some.  Carrying debt is considered normal – in fact, it's a requirement if you ever want to qualify for a home loan.  (Yes, you have to have debt so you can prove that you're good at making payments.) Additionally, most of us increase our expenditures when our income goes up.  It's called " lifestyle inflation ," and it too is normal in our society.  What used to be an occasional treat grows into a daily necessity, and it becomes impossible to imagine a return to a simpler lifestyle.  That seems too much like "failure." And so we get caught in the trap of always wanting more. Let's avoid the trap, and try one or more of these practical tips to spend less, feel in ...

Binge-worthy.  What does that mean to you?  What is most likely to entice you to take in more and more and more, until you are stuffed, exhausted, or depleted? For my 97-year-old mother-in-law, it's Gunsmoke .  Her favored cable channel plays a lot of old TV shows, and back-to-back Gunsmoke is their offering from 5:00 until 9:00 every evening.  No matter what, Mom never misses a minute of James Arness and the gang in several of their 635 episodes ( Gunsmoke was on the air for 20 years).  If we're visiting, we have to be quiet and watch it with her.  When that evening's binge is over, she goes to bed. Maybe you binge on a TV show, like Mom.  Or maybe social media grabs your attention and won't let go.  Maybe it's shopping – even if you don't buy much, it's easy to spend hours looking, comparing, reading reviews, researching prices, and more. Or maybe your binge is food.  My sister-in-law can't get enough of salty things.  She struggles ...

Being rich isn't just about having a large bank balance, rental real estate, or substantial investments.  An important part of being rich is your mindset.  An "abundance mindset" sees opportunities – for relationships, personal growth, and financial security.  In contrast, a "scarcity mindset" sees problems and limitations – which can lead to fear, envy, hoarding, and stagnation. (By the way, if you missed them, find Part 1 here , and Part 2 here .) 30 ways to live a luxe life as a minimalist (Part 3) 21.  Use your nice things. Why are you saving that expensive candle someone gave you for your last birthday?  What are you saving it for?  Light it this evening and enjoy it.  Do the same with the expensive body lotion stored in your cupboard, the real jewelry in the pretty box that just sits on your dresser, and your "company" dishes and glassware. It's true you might not be able to afford to replace the candle or the lotion once they're gone.  B...

Being rich isn't just about having a large bank balance, rental real estate, or substantial investments.  And minimalism doesn't mean poverty.  Minimalism helps you recognize what's important, and lets you feel happy and confident with just enough.  Minimalism can improve your lifestyle without a huge income or endless purchases. (By the way, if you missed Part 1, find it here .) 30 ways to live a luxe life as a minimalist (Part 2) 11.  Give up junky food. There's a strong link in people's minds between low income and obesity, and a bias against obese individuals for hiring, promotion, and earning potential.  Good looks, and more importantly thinness , are considered elegant.  The opposite is not. From my own experience, I know how hard it is to change your body type, and even if you're successful, it won't happen overnight.  However, your food choices can still send a strong message.  Even a naturally thin person who scarfs down a package of Ore...

Being rich isn't just about having a large bank balance, rental real estate, or substantial investments.  You don't have to chase any of those status symbols if you pay attention to what really makes you feel happy.  Stop following the billionaires and the influencers and listen to your inner voice. 30 ways to live a luxe life as a minimalist (Part 1) 1.  Remember who you were when you were 10. What did you enjoy when you were 10 years old?  Learning?  Adventure?  Being with good friends?  Or something else? Recalling your values and desires at age 10 might help you figure out your priorities today.  Maybe you'd rather emphasize new experiences and close relationships over material possessions.  You might value personal growth more than a large financial portfolio.  Your hobbies or simple pleasures such as a picnic, a pet, or a day at the beach might bring more joy than a fancy watch or designer shoes. Tuning in and achieving what really...

My journey to minimalism has been going on for a long time now – more than 25 years.  It has not been a linear path.  After all, I live in the modern, materialist world!  Sometimes it's been two or three steps forward and one step back, but the freedom and peace of minimalism are always worth returning to. * By the way, this blog is reader-supported, with NO ADS.  If you buy through my links, I may earn a small commission. Learning that I have enough Take my wardrobe, for example.  In the rainy, colder months, I rotate three favorite pairs of jeans.  This spring I decluttered two winter tops that I had barely worn, leaving six that I enjoy and can cozy up with a jacket and a hand-crocheted scarf.  This summer, I'll continue to wear jeans, but I'll stay cooler wearing sandals plus some short-sleeved tops.  Even with temperatures in the 100°F (nearly 38°C) range, six or seven tops is enough, especially since I usually run a load of laundry twice a w...

Do you want to be happy?  The world's longest scientific study on happiness began in 1938 and is ongoing.  It focused on a group of over 700 Harvard students and other young men from the Boston area, including all income groups.  It has expanded to include the spouses and children of the original participants, a pool of more than 2,000 people. Not surprisingly, good health added to people's happiness.  So did a positive, grateful attitude having goals and a purpose learning new things showing kindness to others The number one indicator of happiness, however, turned out to be strong relationships .  When test participants were asked how they overcame adversity – illness, losses, war memories – their connections with others were mentioned most often.  Whether it was the person who loaned them money when they were in need, the fellow soldier who kept their spirits up (many participants were war veterans), or the friend who always listened and consoled, rela...

Decluttering is about more than your stuff.  The rewards go beyond saving you money, making more room, creating an organized and attractive space, or simplifying and expediting home care.  I think these additional benefits make anyone's life better. 6 ways decluttering improves your mindset and mood 1.  Reduced anxiety and stress Looking at an overfull room can make you feel overwhelmed by unfinished chores and projects.  You feel worried and burdened by all you need to do.  Decluttering adds clarity.  It helps you prioritize what's important and remove what's not. Plenty of studies indicate that a cluttered environment increases the production of cortisol, a stress hormone.  Clutter puts our "fight or flight" response on high alert.  That response is intended to be an occasional situation – one that lets us meet sudden dangers and challenges.  Being in that stressful situation all the time is detrimental to long-term health. There's so much ...