Simplicity Relished

minimalism for the adventurous heart

Discovering Unselfish Reasons to Simplify Your Life

The simple living movement often appears to be very much about the self.

Simplifying one’s life is often motivated by the desire to achieve goals, enjoy experiences, and generally feel happier. There’s nothing wrong with this– in fact, it is vital for us to prioritize what we love most– but within it also lies the challenge of whether simple living can have an impact outside of our own lives.

Can simple living be a selfless decision, too?

What does it mean to live simply– not just for yourself, but for others? What does it mean to live simply for the world’s benefit?

I believe that simple living can have a direct impact on our friends and on communities outside of our reach, and it is often what keeps me going when I would rather succumb to the temptation to consume. Simplifying your life will be good for you; but it will also be good for so many others.

Discover unselfish reasons to simplify your life …Continue Reading

7 Lies That Keep You From Changing Your Life

Have you ever wanted to drastically change something about your life? Perhaps it was a habit you wanted to quit, or a habit you wanted start. Maybe you wanted to finally “grow up” in an area of your life, such as your finances, your health or your relationships. Perhaps you’re seeking to make a transition in your career or interests, but find yourself doing the same thing year after year. Why does that happen?

7 lies that keep you from changing your life-- and how to kick them to the curb …Continue Reading

My Favorite Nonfiction Travel Reads (that have changed my perspective)

I hate to admit it, but I read most when I’m traveling. The otherwise idle time spent in transit is distraction-free (with the exception of movies on the plane), and I find myself more likely to make it through a book while on the road.

This past year, I yearned to learn again– to be engrossed in a topic enough to push through writing that has been solidly researched by an expert. I desired a contrast from what I read and wrote daily: blog posts, personal reflections, lifestyle tips, recipes, travel guides and photographic memoirs. While these genres are inspiring and good for personal development, I rarely find myself learning something new through them.

I realized that, if I wanted to continue learning, I needed to pop a Dramamine and actually open a book during my travels.

So you might be surprised by some of these titles; they’re not exactly stereotypical “beach reads,” and some of them focus on heavy topics. But the truth is, this is still how most of us are going to learn anything of substance or significance once we’re done with traditional education. And if we are to care about the world outside of our immediate community or whatever’s required to do our jobs, then we must seek out these sources.

Learning is difficult but necessary work. It is certainly less relaxing than picking up a book filled with pithy sayings we already agree with.

My favorite nonfiction travel reads- books that will change your perspective …Continue Reading

Let’s Build A Cafe In Ecuador

You might remember that Aaron and I spent July in Ecuador. We wandered through the lovely streets and plazas of Quito, and made a 3-day jaunt to the Andean town of Cuenca as well.

But the main reason we visited was to volunteer with Casa Victoria. We helped run their summer program for kids in the San Roque neighborhood, and spent time taking photographs, sharing stories and falling in love with their ministry.

San Roque Neighborhood …Continue Reading

Making Room: The Truth About Hospitality

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Come in, sir, for you are weary
And the night is cold out there
Though our lives are very humble
What we have, we have to share…

These simple yet remarkable words are sung by the bishop in the musical Les Miserables (kudos if you recognized it!). I experience a jolt of conviction each time I see this show– and am reminded of the high call on our lives to open our homes to strangers, wanderers, and the needy around us.

What kind of story would Les Miz be without Valjean’s redemptive meal at the bishop’s humble table? There would be no story at all– no rebirth of his identity, no adoption of Cosette, no peace for Fantine, no rescuing of Marius– the dramatic difference an act of kindness has is at the crux of Hugo’s story. Valjean’s personal transformation is the only argument against Javert’s unyielding legalism. And it all started with the opening of a single door when all other doors were closed.…Continue Reading

Give Impact: 7 Socially Responsible Gift Ideas

It’s no secret that we Americans spend billions of dollars every holiday season purchasing gifts for each other. It’s also no secret that many products we purchase are made in industries that have been neglectful (at best) when it comes to the lives of factory workers. 

Most of the time, we shop for the best deals: what’s in it for me? Can I get this any cheaper? Can I finish this any faster? We often forget that we’re usually the last person in the story behind the item. Someone else gathered the materials, assembled them, packed them, shipped them, and put them out for display.

Can we really make a difference?

We’re all aware of the social problems associated with fast fashion and cheap food– but we can also feel powerless to change any of these systems of injustice. I have good news for you today: your purchases can make a positive impact on the lives of needy people around the world.

I’m passionate about this issue because I love gift giving. In recent years I’ve reined in my spending and given humbler gifts, but the process of selecting something special for someone special still makes my heart happy. So if you’re like me– and you’re not sitting out on gift giving this year– check out these amazing companies that are doing good things around the world!

Give impact- 7 socially responsible gift ideas …Continue Reading

Why You Need To Choose A Lifestyle (and not just a career)

As diplomatic as my writing voice (usually) is, I’ve always marched to the beat of my own drum when it comes to lifestyle choices. And by that I mean that I’ve rarely bent to the culture around me.

Being naturally introspective and determined has led me to be intentional about my steps from a young age. In each season of my life, I’ve carried on with decisions that have impressed, disappointed, shocked, amused, or even challenged the people in my life.

why you need to choose a lifestyle and not just a career …Continue Reading

5 Practical Ways to Restore Your Joy

This week was more difficult than most. For the first time in months, perhaps, I felt stressed. Truly, overwhelmignly stressed.

It was not the good kind of stress that pushed me beyond my comfort zone and made me work hard at my endeavors. It was the kind of stress that made me constantly tired, impatient, and selfish. The kind of stress that drained my reserves so that I had nothing left for anyone but me.

Perhaps I should count myself fortunate not to face this kind of stress regularly. Perhaps there are some who know not what life is like without feeling this stress all the time. But I know that there are circumstances outside my control that can bring on these feelings again, so I want to do a better job of dealing with them.I want to be able to lift my own spirits– and the spirits of others.

5 Practical Ways To Restore Your Joy- simple steps to take towards replenishing your reserve …Continue Reading

7 Reasons You Don’t Feel Influential (and how to fix it)

Influence is a powerful phenomenon.

We all know of greatly influential people who use their influence either to better serve others, or to draw greater attention to themselves. Influence is desirable because it’s a clear indication that something we’re doing matters to people– perhaps even to people we don’t know in person.

But the difficulty with influence is that it’s morally neutral. Simply put, influence can be “good” or “bad”.

Yet, before we can even decide what kind of influence we want to have on others, we find ourselves wondering if we have any influence at all.

We wonder whether our everyday choices matter. We wonder whether our encouragement or wisdom falls on deaf ears.

We wonder whether our art is considered beautiful to anyone other than our mom.

And we wonder whether one day we’ll be able to look back and point to people whose lives are better because of something we did. Desiring influence is natural; finding it– and using it well– can be tough.

7 Reasons You Dont Feel Influential - and how to fix that

Redefining influence

…Continue Reading

7 Days of Courage: The Story Behind My New Ebook!

So, the word is out! I wrote a short ebook which I’ve already shared with my email letter subscribers. Today I want to make sure you have the opportunity to receive it for free in your inbox, and to tell you a bit more about it.

The book is titled 7 Days of Courage: Finding Brave In Your Everyday Life. It’s a workbook that reflects on seven aspects of practicing courage, with practical applications for each day of the week.

I hope that 7 Days of Courage will come in handy whenever we feel the need to work through some fear, or when we are about to face an important challenge. Courage will hopefully expand your definition of what it means to be brave, and show you little opportunities throughout your everyday life to choose courage.

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Why Courage?

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5 Ways to be Generous within Your Financial Limits

5 Ways to be generous cover

“I want to be generous one day, when I’m more financially comfortable,” so many of us say.

“I’ll volunteer more of my time, when I get to where I want to in my career,” we also add.

“I’ll help people get opportunities, when I have all the connections,” we promise.

Why do we do this? Probably because we think that we’re not rich yet. We think we don’t have the resources to help others yet. We think there’s a point when we will wake up and say, “I have more than enough now. Now, I can help others.”

The problem with holding off generosity

A wise friend once told me that our actions shape our desires. Let me repeat that: our actions shape our desires.

Don’t we often expect it to be the other way round? We allow our desires– our wants, needs, wildest dreams– to shape what we do and say.

But, what we do and say also shapes who we are. We are creatures of habit, you and I, and if we deliberately make choices that push us in a certain direction, we begin to become those choices.

So what’s the problem with holding off generosity? Why can’t we wait till we’re making a comfortable income to donate? Why can’t we wait till we’ve landed our dream job to spare time for others?

It’s because when we’ve reached that point in our lives, our desires will have changed. That’s right: if you have a generous heart today– which I know you do– it doesn’t mean that you will STILL be generous 20 years from now.

You have to act on that generosity immediately. Otherwise, 20 years could go by without an act of generosity– and perhaps by then, that desire will be but a faint memory.

Generosity is dangerous

…Continue Reading

5 Ways to Make Your Home More Inviting

Those of us who live in small spaces know that it can be terribly difficult simply to fit ourselves and our stuff into our home. Since my husband and I moved into our 500-square-foot apartment, we have driven to the Container Store a handful of times already. Finding a place to store everything is in itself a challenge; how then are we to be generous with our space? How can we share it with others?…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.