Simplicity Relished

minimalism for the adventurous heart

10 Simple Living Tips For Millennials

We millennials are starting to get a reputation.

And it’s a conflicting one.

On the one hand, we’re known for our courage, determination, and desire for justice in this world. On the other, we’re noted for being constantly distracted, absorbed in our technology, and unable to focus on one thing at a time.

The truth is, I see both in my own life and the lives of others in our generation. We’re more interconnected globally than generations past, opening our eyes to the biggest issues of our day. It’s not news to us that the world is large and diverse; it’s our reality. At the same time, this access to global information at the tip of our fingers leaves us distracted. Some of us never knew our neighbors growing up, or the feel of a local community gathering.

Some people think that this over-connected, image-driven culture is a problem we need to solve. I think it’s a reality we need to accept and use for good.

So where do we start?

10 simple-living tips for millennials | Simplicity Relished …Continue Reading

Clutter-free Travel: 5 Tips for Shopping Abroad

It’s sad but true: we’re often emotionally attached to the clutter that fills our homes. That’s why we’ve held onto those things for years–they hold some meaning and memories we’re afraid we’ll lose otherwise.

Travel is a huge culprit when it comes to accumulating stuff. Nothing captures this reality better than the term, souvenir shopping.

And why should we be surprised? Whenever we travel, we carry a tiny percentage of our belongings with us– giving us the illusion that we don’t already have too many things at home.

Plus, part of the travel experience for many of us is to shop at our destination. For better or for worse, shopping is often equated with touring, and it’s hard to resist.

Compounding this dilemma is the fact that local industries often rely on foreign tourists to bring money into their small economies. Artisans, restauranteurs, guides and hotel owners “need” us for business.

So how do we travel in a manner that cherishes those experiences without lugging home a suitcase full of things we don’t need?

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5 Tips For Clutter-Free Travel

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10 Simple Ways to Prioritize What You Love

10 ways to prioritize what you love

I’ve noticed a trend among the adults I know. Most people seem to spend much time doing something that they neither care about nor enjoy.

Furthermore, many tell me, “I would do more of X if I only had the chance.” 

What’s ironic about that? X usually stands for something involving a contribution to the world, or a life-enriching experience. So, qualitative as my data might be, many people give up on contributing to the world or enriching their lives because they feel that they just can’t.

(Related: 5 Minimalist Secrets to Saving Money)

So, what’s the deal? Is it that our current rhythm of life doesn’t allow us to do these things? Is no one chasing their dreams?

I understand that we have limits, and I’d be the last to say that an epicurean approach to life is the right one. But I think more of us need to consider whether our priorities are reflected through our everyday living. Do we really want to travel? Do we really want to spend more time with our loved ones? Do we really want to be healthier? 

I’ve often found myself complaining that I “just can’t” do something. And maybe I’m right sometimes. But I’ve also realized that I can make space for my priorities. I can be intentional about choosing what way my life is going to go.

You either run your life, or your life runs you.

You either run your life or your life runs you. 10 ways to prioritize what you love via…

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Friend, you and I have much more freedom than we allow ourselves to believe. Let’s start prioritizing what we love, one step at a time….Continue Reading

6 Ways to Simplify Your Summer (and make the most of it)

Our culture surrounding summer can be a bit ironic. On the one hand, we picture ourselves sprawled out on the sand with a beach read and mint mojito. On the other, we end up creating bucket lists, scheduling events, and signing up for commitments of all sorts.

Soon enough, making it to the beach feels daunting– just another thing to check off.

Why do we do this?

First, because we can. Those who can’t are currently giving the rest of us the proverbial (perhaps literal) eye-roll, because not everyone gets a “summer”. Sure, the season comes and goes, but work marches on regardless what the temperatures are outside or what they’re trying to sell you at Target.

So, those of us who get a “summer”– a length of time during which our obligations are lightened– have to live it up for everyone else, right? Isn’t that what Instagram is all about? (10 reasons to toss FOMO out the window)

No. Those of us who get a summer need to use it well. And using it well is not the same as stuffing our schedules and lists until they burst at the seams. Quite the contrary, really.

6 Ways to Simplify Your Summer- before your schedule bursts at the seams

If you’re one of few individuals in this world blessed with leisure time in the summer months, then perhaps you’ll join me in a quest for creating the summer you actually want— not the summer you think you need to have.

Because the truth is, somewhere between lazing around and adventuring abroad is the sweet spot: the balance required for feeling truly rested, refreshed, and ready to pursue our goals again. (How to stay focused and achieve your short-term goals). Isn’t that what most of us want from an ideal summer?…Continue Reading

5 Minimalist Secrets to Saving Money

I don’t tend to talk about money on this blog. I prefer to write about ideas over numbers: minimalism, travel, and a handful of other passions. For whatever reason, sharing cold, hard numbers on a blog is scary to me, and I admire those who do. As a proponent of minimalism, however, I hope to convince you that it does achieve results.

Many people turn to minimalism in order to save money, to break poor habits, or simply to refocus their lives on non-material pursuits. And they should, because it works.

5 Minimalist Secrets to Saving Money (and how to start today) …Continue Reading

7 Tips For Planning A Clutter-free Wedding

I hadn’t defined myself as a minimalist while we were planning our wedding, but there was one thing I was sure of: that I did not want to accumulate tons of stuff that we would have to lug around for the rest of our lives– stuff that we did not really use or need.

At the risk of sounding ungrateful and irreverent, I was determined not to receive most traditional wedding gifts: pretty sets of bone china, sterling silver utensils, dry-clean-only linens, the works. For one, we knew that we wouldn’t be living in a home large enough to store such stately items– much less large enough to host all the people required to use the tableware.

In addition to our registry, I also thought about what it would mean for us to walk away with memories, blessings and great joy, but without an entire sleigh of things. Now that it’s been almost a year since our wedding, I’ll share a few of my tips.

How to plan a clutter-free wedding …Continue Reading

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Disclaimer: Simplicity Relished is a for profit blog. Any company that I collaborate with is chosen by me and chosen because they fit the theme and readership of my blog. Copyright: If you see something you like here, please be encouraged to share it along with a link back to my site. All of the images and content here, unless otherwise noted or linked, is my own original work.