How to Have a Minimalist Summer
How to Have a Minimalist Summer
A part of the minimalist lifestyle is valuing experiences over things and summer is the perfect time to put that into practice. Here are several ways to have a more minimalist summer.
Do Nothing.
Embrace the art of doing nothing. This may be a difficult task for some. “Do nothing” is not a literal suggestion unless that’s your absolute goal. It really means do less than what you’ve been doing. It means not doing anything that can be described as “busy”. Put your to-do list and agenda aside. Follow the days where they take you. Chill.
Do a few things.
Take advantage of all the free time you have including vacation time, flexible working schedules, lunch breaks, evenings, and weekends. Also, these things don't have to cost a lot of money to accomplish.
Catch up with friends and family. If you’re like me (introverted and hates the cold), you only go out the house when absolutely necessary from mid-November to mid-March. I’m more social when it’s warmer outside. Hit up those cookouts, family reunions, and take some random road trips. Put in some face time.
Declutter. It’s popular to “spring clean”, but the summer is another great time to finally go through all of your stuff. It’s also the best time to have yard sales and make some cash. Clean out your garage, attic, and any other place that’s likely filled with stuff you don’t need or want. Cleaning out areas of your home may save you money on your energy bill. It’s just a theory, but it seems logical it would cost you more to cool your home when you have more stuff per square foot. Your cooling system works more efficiently when air can flow freely.
Plan at least one trip or event where you can learn, be inspired, or have an adventure. Do something you’ve never done before. Check your local media outlets for festivals and other special events nearby.
Go embrace nature. Visit a park or sit under the tree in your backyard. The weather makes this an awesome time to explore the environment. Pick up a few pieces of trash while you’re out there. Get caught in a rainstorm. Try to find some constellations. Jump in a lake.
Read. I once read 30 books in one summer. Take your mind for a walk and get lost in some stories. Mix it up between fiction and non-fiction to keep your mind wandering. Pay your local library a visit or fire up that e-reader.
I LOVE summer. This summer I’ll be visiting the Philippines for a month, working at a summer camp for a few weeks, planning the launch of Black Minimalists, hanging out with family and friends, and doing a whole lot nothing during and in between.
Simple Life: Bullet Journal
Bullet Journal: The last planner (agenda, journal, notebook, calendar, etc.) you will ever need.
I say this with confidence. For the last five months, this is what I’ve used to organize and envision my life.
I’m a lover of notebooks, journals, planners, agendas, and most paper products in general. I love to write and sketch and plan, but on my minimalist journey, I realized I was a bit of a hoarder when it came to these objects.
Having multiple notebooks and planners was not helping me live simply or stay organized. I even designed my own planner, but it still wasn’t simple enough for my needs.
So I went pinteresting for all-in-one planners. I came across the popular Day Designer and I was tempted to purchase the Passion Planner, but I felt there was something even simpler that could meet my needs and that’s when I found the bullet journal.
The bullet journal is simply a series of lists. You can add more to it, but at it’s core the bullet journal is all about lists.
I’m going to outline the main pages of the bullet journal and I have included pictures of my journal below.
Main Components of a Bullet Journal
Key
Index
Future Log
Monthly Log
Monthly To-Do
Daily Log
Special Pages
Key
The key tells you about each type of entry on your various lists. Some types of entries you may have are tasks, notes, events/appointments, transactions. You can further notate these entries to show priority, favorites, research needed, complete, migrated, scheduled or questions. This is the key I use, but you can create your own type of entries and notations to suit your needs.
Sidenote: After using the journal for a few months, I realized I only use a few of the entry types and notations consistently. These are the ones most intuitive and integral to my thought process and I will only include those in the key of my next journal.
Index
This is probably self explanatory, but this is where you will list your pages and page numbers.
Tip: If you write a lot like me and notice you’re running out of space on the index page, you can leave the back page blank or make an entry for index #2 at the bottom of the first index page.
Future Log
This section allows you to do an at-a-glance look at your next six months. It is not meant to be super detailed, but to note any major events you're aware of and goals you want to achieve in the next six months.
Monthly Log
The monthly log is your calendar in list form. I enter the first letter of the day and the date on each line. Here you will fill in events and tasks for that month. Once you’ve completed your monthly to-do page (next section), you can go back and fill in more events and tasks. You can do the monthly to-do before the monthly log, but either way, I recommend having the pages facing each other.
Monthly To-Do
On the monthly to-do page you will list everything that needs to get done that month.
Daily Log
This is where you note what needs to get done on a daily basis. You will use the monthly log and to-do lists to schedule your days. The bullet journal website recommends completing daily logs no more than 1-2 days in advance and I agree.
Focusing on a few important things that need to be completed that day will help you be more productive and remain present. It allows you to give each day it’s space and reflect.
Long term planning is necessary, but what you focus on day-to-day will ultimately determine if you’re successful in those long term goals.
Special Pages
Special pages can be anything you want. My special pages include a savings tracker, sales tracker, journaling, blog post drafts, checklists, and lots of other content that don’t fall into the categories above.
Your life made simple.
It’s so simple. All you need is a notebook. You can use plain, lined, or graphing paper. I created my own notebook with leftover graphing paper I had and used the cardboard backing to create covers. I purchased metal utility wire for $1 to create the notebook rings. I also bought a small notebook for $1 I only use for my day job. You can also buy the official bullet journal, but it’s not necessary.
What I love about the bullet journal is it keeps you focused on the moment and what’s going on in your life currently. You create it as you go along and you only ever have the one day before you. For me, it makes me feel my day and life in general, are conquerable and mine to control. You can personalize it. Do a search of “bullet journals” and you can see how creative some people are with their journals, but regardless, it is yours to shape, just like your life.
What is one organizational tool you cannot live without?
11 Ways to Give More
11 free ways to give more this holiday season.
The season of giving is upon us. As a minimalist, I'm not so concerned with shopping for or receiving gifts as I am with enjoying the opportunity to spend time with people I care about, reflect on the past year, and prepare for the new year. Instead of racking your brain to figure out what you will buy everyone to show your appreciation, why not consider these alternative ways to bless those around you.
Listen (before speaking).
Give the people you care about the opportunity to share their wins, challenges, and struggles. You don’t know what they’ve been holding on to inside. Give them a safe and open space to let it all out.
Call.
Pick up the phone and let someone know you miss them. Let them hear your voice and listen to theirs. Sometimes we don’t know how much we’ve missed a person until we hear them speaking on the other end.
Send a card or letter.
If you don’t like talking on the phone (me!), take the time to write your thoughts out in a letter or card. People don’t send snail mail anymore. We send emails, text, or talk on social media, but I always love getting something in the mail from a friend. I don’t know about you, but when I check the mail and see something that is not a bill or junk mail, I get excited. Brighten someone’s day with a handwritten letter or card.
Spend time and not just money.
Our time is the most valuable thing we have to give because we cannot get it back after it’s gone. Instead of buying a gift, show someone you care by making time to visit. And if you want to buy a gift also, bring something you can share like a bottle of wine or a meal.
More support, less advice.
Simply be there for the person. They may not need or want your advice. They may just want to know that someone supports them and is in their corner.
Listen (more than you speak).
You’ve probably heard this before. We have two ears and one mouth for a reason. Listen twice as much as you speak. The more you listen, the more informed and understanding you can be when it’s the right time to speak. It’s also the reason why listen appears three times on this list.
Treat each relationship as unique.
In our relationships, we all have different needs and wants. Tailor each encounter to that specific person and the nature of your personal relationship. You may have one friend who is a homebody, another that likes to go out, or maybe a friend that is into DIYs and crafts. Focus on having a unique experience with each person.
Mind your business.
We can reduce and eliminate the drama that surfaces in some relationships by simply keeping our thoughts to ourselves in most cases. Everyone has an opinion, but it doesn’t mean you need to share it. We want to be there for the people in our lives, but don’t find yourself in something that has nothing to do with you.
Say yes.
We’re busy. We don’t have time. We don’t feel like it. There are a million reasons why we could say no, but try to say yes to more things that are good for your relationships with others. Put on your ugly sweater and go to that party.
Know love languages.
This goes along with treating each relationship as unique. Know how the people that matter, receive love. Do you they love affirmations, gifts, quality time, acts of service, or physical touch. Maybe someone needs a hug or could appreciate you running an errand for them. There are many ways to show love and it’s nice to be aware of what others need to feel loved.
Listen (to what’s not being said).
We don’t always say everything that’s on our minds. It can be a good thing or we could be too proud, overwhelmed, or afraid to say what we really need. Be aware of other cues such as how things are said, body language, and other ways people communicate without words. We are not mind readers, but all humans have a natural ability to sense when there’s more to a story. After listening, you may need to ask some pointed questions to get to the heart of the matter.
This season, make some time to give the things money can't buy.
Principles of a Minimalist Life
Minimalism as a lifestyle is loosely defined as living with less. There are no other rules and each person gets to decide what “less” means to them.
Depending on what type of person you are, this can be liberating or frustrating when trying to figure out if you’re “minimalist” enough (hint: you are).
Still, I wanted to put together some basic principles of a minimalist life to help guide you on your journey.
You are enough.
This is a fundamental truth of every person’s spiritual journey and I do see minimalism as a spiritual journey ultimately. You are made whole. Nothing external to you can define you or determine your worthiness. You have everything you need within you to create and live the life you want.
Exist on your own terms.
Related to the first principle, you get to define what your life will be. You don’t have to live as society, your family, or anyone else believes. You are free to be who you are, pursue your passions, evolve, and change your mind at any moment.
Let go of what does not serve you.
We humans have a bad habit of holding onto things we don’t need. Not just physical things, but emotional baggage, and unhealthy habits. We keep these things because they provide some comfort and familiarity, but they are false and based on fear of the unknown. If you want to evolve and be your best self, you have to let go.
Make space for what matters.
There’s a reason why you may not be reaching the goals that will change your life. There is no space for growth in your life. When you hold on to what does not serve you, you block your blessings and prevent the things you need from coming into your life.
Doing more is not equal to being productive.
Your time is a precious commodity. Living by your to-do list is not the most efficient use of your time. Prioritize the activities, projects, and people that deserve your time. Use your time for doing the things that contribute to your overall well-being.
Value things that money cannot buy.
When you die, you will not be thinking about (insert highly coveted item). You will be thinking about the memories that form the span of your life, your family, and friends. Why spend a large portion of your life accumulating stuff that won’t matter in the end? Spend you life making memories you never want to forget.
Use your material and financial resources efficiently.
Minimalism is not about not buying or owning things. As a human living in the modern world, it is nearly impossible not to acquire stuff and create some waste. The difference is you understand the impact of using your resources responsibly. Whether you aspire to be debt-free, eat healthy, reduce waste, build your own tiny home, you know planning and commitment is required.
Be grateful for what you have.
Gratitude is an important part of this journey. Being thankful for what you already have helps you keep your life in perspective and appreciate what you have accomplished so far. It also tamps down the incessant call to want more.
These principles are not exhaustive, but arguably the most important. They are philosophical and will force you to contemplate your minimalist journey rather than focus on the number of things you own or what to declutter next.
What are your basic principles of a minimalist life? Would you add anything?
The Lazy Minimalist
Lazy people get a bad rap because laziness is often associated with being irresponsible and unmotivated.
I disagree that laziness is a bad thing.
When used correctly, it can actually save you time, money, and energy, which makes it minimalist too.
I identify as a lazy minimalist and have put together some tips from my experiences to help you embrace the lazy minimalist within you.
- Communicate directly. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Beating around the bush leads to confusion. I don't like small talk.
- Have a limited wardrobe. You can easily decide what you want to wear and repeat outfits often. I sometimes wear outfits for two days in a row. The second part may not be for everyone, but I find it easier for me and my schedule.
- Cook the same meals often and eat leftovers for a few days. You cut down on the frequency of grocery shopping and cooking. It also leads to less food wasted.
- Create a flexible work schedule. Whether you work from home, telework, or some other alternative, work as many or as few hours as you need to get the job done. Working from home allows you to forego the business casual attire, pointless meetings, and commuting.
- Make short to-do lists. Focus on the most important things for that day. Decide which part of the day you prefer to get things done. Forget about all those non-essential tasks that can wait. It's not about the amount of things you complete, but the importance of the things completed.
- Get rid of (more) stuff. Less stuff to clean, store, organize, and look at.
- Simplify your personal maintenance. This will largely depend on your style and comfort level with your hygiene, but it's worth a try. Cut your hair or get an easily maintainable style. Shower every other day and take more bird baths. You will use less products and water. Wear less makeup and embrace the natural look. Consider piercings and tattoos as one-time, permanent style upgrades.
I believe a lot of the “extra” stuff we do in life is because we want others to think a certain way of us. Laziness can help you view your life as a cost/benefit analysis. You can obtain the maximum benefit with the least effort.
It's not just being lazy or minimalist, but smart.