the pursuit of happiness

A journal of downsizing.

[linxsupply]

Have less. Do more. Be more.

[americaninfographic]

Pant-Shirt Combo

[daniellethesheep]

[one-minimalist]

Merry Christmas

Oh wow, time flew by so quickly ...

How about my non-buying-shit? It was acutally easier than I thought. I had to buy one birthday present and a gift for my mother (handmade earrings). Both I found at a local retailer for fair trade items.

Notably, I bought a magazine once, while travelling back home from a business trip. Later I noticed, that it was some unnecessary purchase but I kind of needed the feeling to reward myself for the long work day.

One articel I found here (Your Lifestyle Has Already Been Designed (The Real Reason For The Forty-Hour Workweek), that made me think a lot ...

The perfect customer is dissatisfied but hopeful, uninterested in serious personal development, highly habituated to the television, working full-time, earning a fair amount, indulging during their free time, and somehow just getting by.

[yestoless]

[simplify--simplify]

good minimalist youtubers are the /most/ difficult to find. here is one of them.

[one-minimalist]

Black Friday ...

Since I am not American, I was not familiar with the concept of black friday until I came across the South Park episodes to be honest. Anyways, it is starting to become a thing here in Europe, too - unsurprinsingly.

The only question I had to ask about this concept: Seriously?

Is this society seriously so out of its mind, it is literally fighting for the best sale offer? Like we cannot buy products on sale constantly or find supercheap sweatshop stuff all year round ... I must admit, I do feel a little disgusted here.

Last year, i started to give selfmade stuff for christmas. It does cost little money and lots of time but it is worth a lot more. I did fancy sirup with vodka and vegan chocolate bars and so on. I want to to that again this year. It feels much more rewarding than just buying stuff in the rush of thousand other people, obeying capitalism as if my life is depending on it. I cannot understand those “I am so stressed because of Christmas”-people anymore and it feels good. I feels just right.

I will go further, I will not buy anything (except food und related things obviously) until Christmas, not supporting Walmart, Amazon, Zalando or any other crazy retailer with cruel working conditions. Exception can be local markets/artists/retailers, if I really find something worth supporting.

I will just boycott this craziness. Join me. I promise, it is worth it

Here are some ideas what you can do on black friday instead wasting this day:

http://theproject333.com/blackfriday/

http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/things-to-do-black-friday

http://www.treehugger.com/culture/10-alternatives-soul-suck-black-friday-shopping.html

Relax and stay minimal :)

[one-minimalist]

Numbers of pairs I used this summer: 5 (+ 1 black ankle boot one-year-round shoe)

1. Sneakers: best investment for me, I used them nearly daily, for work, for errands, for everything which includes lots of walking. When you get bored of the look, you can change laces (I didn’t need to, but I could think of some red ones); the leo print suited actually everything in my wardrobe!

2. Flat Sandals: finally I found comfy sandals without getting blisters all over; they were cheap but are good quality, I definitely love them and I wore them whenever I didn’t wear the sneakers on a daily basis

3. The flip*flops: they are ridiculously comfy, perfect for summer, going to the lake or for a stroll; also good for winter when you go to inside pools or sauna

4. My Wedges: I only bought them because they are so comfortable - I can wear them the whole day + dance whole night; perfect for weddings and parties;

5. Black Pumps: Unfortunately, I cannot wear you the whole day, although I would like to because you are so pretty. You would be so perfect for an everyday shoe, morning to late night. You are so pretty, yet so ruthless; I have mixed feelings about you. I nearly lost a toe-nail ...

I wish 1-4 a good winter sleep and I will be happy to see you in Spring :)

No. 5 I will need you in January, please be kind to my feet!

And if I could only keep one pair of shoe, it would be my black ankle boots. I wear them all year round, for whichever occation, for every weather, no matter in summer, in winter, for parties and outdoor festivals, work or errands. I love them. The need new soles right now, so they are at the shoe maker. I miss the already!

[one-minimalist]

30-days challenge - part III

The last episode of the challenge:

#day 13: Journal your day - I will change my habbit as soon as possible, since I will go back to university and try not to procastinate as much :D

#day 14: goals for the next 6 months: 1. finish my master 2. move to another flat 3. staying as happy as I am right now 4. run more - stay fit and sexy :P

#day 15: clean fridge/freezer: done; I do that once a month

#day 16: linen closet … all clean :)

#day 17: organise your computer: I love that, I just did that recently because I got myself some new computer; It took me like a whole day, but it is totally worth it :)

#day 18: digital back up: Yes sir, do that regularly!

#day 19: clear inbox. check!

#day 20: declutter work desk: check!

#day 21: Streching/Yoga: I acutally attend Yoga-Class once a week :)

#day 22: Clear out make-up stuff: check! It is a little hard to throw away unused things, but it is necessary

#day 23: Sort photographs: check

#day 24: Clean out cupboards: check

#day 25: Re-Cull wardrobe: have to put that on my to do list!

#day 26: Mindful breathing techniques: We do that in Yoga class and first I thought it is a little stupid … but I start to understand it, and appreciate it

#day 27: Clear friends list on scial media: oh yes, check-mate!

#day 28: Book collection: still to do …

#day 29: 10 things I am grateful for: that is private :D

#day 30: set your next goals: thank you, check

—-

I recommend including these steps once in a while in your routine. I am not a minimalist yet, although I do feel I am on my way - and I already feel a lot lighter :)

I still have to get rid of some things, but I will move in January and that will be a good time to cull shoes and clothes again … and books, omg.

[bettermarketingideas]

[amjvisually]

( x )

[one-minimalist]

The 15-Minute Morning Routine That's Already Changing My Life

The 15-Minute Morning Routine That Turned Me Into an Idea Machine - The Muse: This writing exercise will change the way you s...

Very interessting idea to try out.

[styleminimal]

Follow http://styleminimal.tumblr.com/ for all things minimal!

[i5x]

[reneeew]

[soph-okonedo]

[one-minimalist]

30-days challenge - part II

#day 9: take hanging items off the wall: the walls are ok, there is not much hanging around :)

#day 10: unsubscribe from e-mails: what a great idea, I am doing that from now on whenever some company e-mail enters my inbox and it costs only seconds. No more “20 new emails” after I am off a day or so (which can happen - I am a lucky person ;))

#day 11: turn off notification of social media messages: productivit +50% DO IT NOW! also e-mail.

#day 12: paperless billing: done! And I put a sticker on my postbox that I do not want advertisments: -12kg of paper waste a year!

10 - 12 are easy steps to get rid of really unnecessary consuming things. Your time is precious, everyday. 

[one-minimalist]

30-days challenge - part I

I would like to post every day, but time is a limiting factor - I do unregular updates instead, hope that’s minimalist enough ;)

(the idea, see here)

#day 1: define your style: I wrote about that couple weeks ago, I guess. I do like it sporty and easy going, but not laissez-faire, not really colourful, a little elegance must be visible at all time; when going out, I am into rock chic; so I buy timeless clothes - I love long lasting materials and black v-neck shirts.

#day 2: 20 must haves (cloths): little black dress, skinny jeans (blue and black), white blouse, black blazer, some cool biker jacket*, t-shirts (black and white), longsleeve v-neck (black and white), sweater, hoodie, a pair of leggings, jeans mini, bikini, summer dress, cozy winter dress, black handbag*, winter coat, your favourite scarf

*still searching for the perfect one

#day 3: theme of my wardrobe: what a nice idea; probably: I-tried-to-be-cool-but-I-failed ;) or when-I-grow-up-I-am-a-perfect-capsule-wardrobe #day 4: cull your wardrobe: uh, I promise, I will do that next week (again) bc I am still not satisfied #day 5: cull your shoe collection: I will make an own post on this one :) #day 6: clear surfaces: I do that every other day #day 7: get rid of unhealthy food: oh so done! #day 8: 5 things I am grateful for: my friends, my health, that people seem to like me more than I would expect, the wonderful environment I am living in, the future I will have with my beloved ones#day 9: I still have pics on the wall, I like that though ;) I am not a beginner anymore, I guess *minimalism level up*  :D