5 Ways to Live with Less Stuff
March 7, 2014
Some people are addicted to cigarettes, chocolate or alcohol. I am addicted to self-help books.
A simple life and the art of living with less.
What started off as a quest for reflective knowledge turned into a fetish for Steve Harvey, Wayne Dyer, Iyanla Vanzant and Louise Hay.
Books clogging up my mind and my bed.
I held onto books because I wanted to hide from interacting with real life. I would recite popular psychology theories, but I never applied them to my everyday reality. I became greedy for information and lazy with action.
It was time to let go of old ideas.
During lent, I decided to donate one book to the library everyday for 40 days. This process taught me that I don’t need to store books to feel smart. I can learn about life by actually living! This purging process helped me to discover 5 ways to live with less stuff.
1. Spend Less $$ on Food- Eat Healthy for $3/Day
Food costs are soaring, but many clever foodies are finding ways to eat healthy, fresh and fast on less than $3 per day!
Recipe for Protein Power Lunch
- 3 cups cooked brown rice ($0.53)
- 2 cups cooked pinto beans ($0.23)
- 2 stalks cooked broccoli (360g) ($1.06)
- 1 baked sweet potato (180g) ($0.40)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil ($0.18)
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds, shelled ($0.22)
- 2 cups coconut milk ($0.37)
Total $2.99
Other recipes for under $3 http://www.delish.com/saving-coupons/healthy-recipes-under-$3-a-serving-toplist’
2. Live in Less Space – The Tiny House
After a bitter divorce, this architect designed a tiny house with eco materials and a composting toilet.
Will less space save you more money?
Her goal was to eliminate a mortgage payment and live debt free. Learn about the Tiny House Movement.
3. Buy Less Clothing- The Uniform Project
The Uniform Project challenged women to spend less money on fashion and more on philanthropy.
How many ways can you style one dress?
Imagine the collective financial power of women if we stopped buying clothes and started saving for our dreams? If clothes are literally wrapping up your finances, try shopping less and creating a new wardrobe with what you already own.
4. Own Less Stuff – Rosetta Thurman
Happy Black Woman and life coach Rosetta Thurman made the leap from a studio apartment in Washington DC to the beaches of Maui in Hawaii.
Rosetta Thurman traded in city living for palm trees
Her mission was to work and travel around the world. She talks about how to make mental shifts and personal sacrifices to own less stuff.
5. Spend Less Time Online- Digital Detoxing
If you can’t function for more than 24 hours without social media, you might need a digital detox. Culture critic Bartaunde Thurston talks about unplugging from the wireless noise and channeling into something deeper.
Yoga & Living with Less
Aparigraha -Lent is closely related to the Indian Yoga principle of Aparigraha. Aparigraha means non-greed and accepting only what is needed. This offers your mind and body the chance to do an internal cleaning without holding on.
Simple living leads to more peace
This spring, learn to let go and create more money, more time and more mental space for your life!
Start a Mind & Body Detox! Enroll in the Soulful Flow Yoga 6 Week Series starting April 5, 2014.
READ THE COMMENTS OR ADD YOURS
READ THE COMMENTS
Great Post! I can relate to the addiction of seeking knowledge. As a health and wellness professional I would often get caught in the though of need for self improvement. In that journey I would find my self suffering from the same conditions that I was coaching other people on. Things like excess, not being present, and a feeling of grandiosity One thing that I have committed to is less looking out and more looking in. Mediation has been my new self help book. It is amazing all the knowledge and depth we have inherently in us. I am often finding myself more inspired and more effective.
Yes Mr. Fit!
I think intellect is overvalued. It tricks us into thinking that knowledge is the key to enlightenment. But I believe experience and empathy are the best ways to understand the human condition. Would love to learn more about how your meditation journey!
In health,
Sari
Project 333 and Kendi Everday’s 30 for 30 helped me minimize my clothing.
I love 30 for 30. It forced me to look at quality over quantity! http://www.kendieveryday.com/p/30×30-remix.html
Thanks Aisha!
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