Starting Minimalism with The Minimalists

I always imagined minimalism being this self-depriving lifestyle of trying to live with as little as possible. Boy was I wrong.

If there is any person, or in this case two people, I could give credit to deepening my journey in minimalism it would be Joshua and Ryan of The Minimalists. Seven years ago they helped me define minimalism for myself before I ever considered myself a minimalist.

I never knew this way of thinking and living would change my life for the better - in so many ways.

If you’re a person who’s looking for more fulfillment, direction, and meaning in life, but feel overwhelmed with what seems to be “everyday life”, minimalism could be just the thing that helps you find that clarity and balance.

Recently, I had the pleasure of going to L.A. to collab with these gentlemen on their podcast and talk about starting minimalism and I’m excited to share the experience with you. ❤️ Enjoy!

You can also check out some fun extras I did with Joshua and Ryan:

• “The Difference Between Minimalism and the Marie Kondo Method”

• Full length “Maximal” episode of The Minimalists Private Podcast exclusively at The Minimalists Pateon

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I personally recommend following The Minimalists:
Blog: http://minimalists.com
Podcast: http://minimalists.com/podcast
Twitter: http://twitter.com/theminimalists
Instagram: http://instagram.com/theminimalists
Facebook: http://facebook.com/theminimalists

The Pros & Cons of Not Using Toilet Paper

People thought I was nuts when I said goodbye to toilet paper nearly 3 years ago. But having a no-toilet paper system began just like all my other weird quirks: seeking to simplify and reduce what doesn’t add value.

Now I’m not saying toilet paper doesn’t add value, toilet paper is great! But what if I told you I found something better?

Some people may disagree, but I have found a forever love of using a bidet (once I got the hang of it). No more having to put my hands anywhere near poo, no more smearing with dry tissue, no more paper waste…

Ok, that might be a bit TMI - but you get what I mean…
There is so much magic in eliminating toilet paper when eliminating!

Here are some of the benefits, PROS:

• Fast cleaning - Forget wiping over and over and over again. The spray is efficient and effective.

• Super clean! - Just like stepping out of the shower every time.

• Avoid accidentally poking your fingers through dry, rough paper (you know you’ve done it).

• Reduce your grocery bill.

• Reduce paper and plastic waste.

And here are some of the downsides, CONS:

• Water mess - in the beginning you might be cleaning up some water sprays around the toilet. 😆

• Extra Towel Laundry - having single-use towel wipes adds about 20 minutes per week to my laundry routine for a family of four. Some people have personal hand towels they re-use and hang near their toilet. You can opt for this option if you prefer.

• Boil or Bleach - I’m a clean freak, so I prefer to boil or bleach these towels (just in case…) if you boil it adds another 20 minutes and additional spin/dry cycle to the routine, and if you bleach well - that’s not great for mother nature. But I believe the effects of either to be much less than the amount of resources and waste toilet paper takes and creates.

• Wakes you up at night - this is a weird one I didn’t expect… but if you don’t hook the bidet up to warm water (ours has the ability but isn’t hooked up) the cold splash on your rear can cause you to become alert in your sleepy state. 😳I simply used toilet paper as an exception for the midnight potty run. Eventually I was able to let go of the habit.

• Getting Spoiled! - The only other downside to the bidet is that you start to become a bidet snob. Going to public restrooms or restrooms in other people’s homes become a less favorable experience.

Hopefully you’ve got some idea of why I prefer having a no-toilet paper system. Try it out and you might find yourself equally surprised! I’d love to hear your thoughts and conversations about this topic.

Until next time,
~ MJ

Are You Telling Yourself the Biggest Lie?

There’s a lie we’ve been told that many of us, including myself, have believed or still believe is true. It’s the biggest lie that sets us up for disappointment and dissatisfaction. And that lie is:

You can and deserve to have it all.

When we first hear that we can have it all, we’re inclined to respond with a “Hell yeah! Why not?”

When we pursue having it all, we actually end up with nothing. This is because the truth is we can’t have it all. Everything in our lives, from the friends that we have to the things that we own costs us. Not just in money, but in limited resources such as our time, attention, and energy…

When you deplete the quality of those resources from the very things that contribute to your happiness and fulfillment, it feels like you’ve given up or don’t have the most important things.

That’s no way to live.
And that’s why we have to face the biggest lie with the biggest truth:

I can’t have it all. My time and resources are limited, so I must identify and choose wisely the things I entertain having in my every day life.

It’s important to have self awareness, and self awareness comes from consistently listening to your inner self when you do something, like splurge on Amazon, and feel guilt. That guilt is telling you, “I did something that wasn’t aligned with my core goals and values.”

That guilt knows deeper than you’re current state of consciousness that you just gave up something that was important to you… future time, potential, opportunity, freedom… Even if it’s the freedom to stay out of debt or the opportunity to spend the money on something more rewarding.

Every time we make a choice, we are choosing it over something else.

Be sure what you are choosing, is above all other options. At the same time, accept that sometimes we have to make unintentionally wrong choices to learn more self awareness. Key word: unintentional.

At the end of the day, when you prioritize the things you value and are more important to you, above the things that are instantly satisfying, you end up with the experience that you have it all… because essentially you do.

You have all that you need to live happy and free.
The rest of what you don’t have - doesn’t matter.

What I Pack for 1 Week of Travel

Traveling has many elements, but one element I don’t care for is having excess luggage during my trips. Whether I’m traveling alone or with family and friends, I want to focus on the experience of my present environment, not the experience of full, sore arms and the mental cluster of managing checked baggage. Traveling is supposed to be fun, not stressful!

It’s been a process discovering how to maintain this freedom and comfort when packing for a family of four and surprisingly even more so when packing for just myself. This summer I’ve spent half my travels solo and have been very happy with the simplicity, ease, and efficiency of my setup.

Some of the key elements I require for travel are:

• Freedom & Flexibility

• Efficiency

• Comfort

Translated this means the most important things are:

• A bag that’s functional and accessible, durable and comfortable

• Sizing down Items, such as lightweight clothing and smaller toiletries

• Keeping things to the essentials that will add value and enjoyment to the trip
  

The above list is taken heavily into consideration and refined from those points. It’s going to look different for you, but it’s important to adhere to these factors in order to get the results (key elements) you’re after.

Here’s some of my essential travel items and why:

My Bag - I always travel with backpacks because they give me the ability to be hands free. I don’t have any shoulder or back issues, so I can pack 20lbs+ and travel freely. An alternative to carrying weight is to use check luggage made to fit under the front seat. I find these don’t have the ability to store as much accessibly or the ability to be as customizable.

Compression Cubes - When traveling internationally or backpacking, I’m a big fan of compression stuff sacks. The problem with them is having to unpack everything just to access your stuff. When I found travel cubes that compress I immediately fell in love. Maximum space-saving organization!

Water Bottle with Handle - If your bottle doesn’t have a convenient clip like mine, just add a lightweight carabiner. Hydration is so important and fortunately most airports have water fountains you can refill at. Carrying a water bottle keeps me hydrated, saves my wallet, and saves the planet.

Apple Watch & AirPods - Both of these items I consider unnecessary luxuries of life, but provide so much value to my own. I love the convenience of a hands free, tangle-free headset. In noisy spaces I can call my kids and we can hear each other perfectly. The watch allows me to receive important business emails and calls without having to frequently check my phone, among many other convenient features.

Power Bank - Another luxury, but being a business owner and a mom are choices I’ve made in exchange for the ability to drop off the grid completely. And because staying in touch is the most important thing when I’m gone, keeping my communication devices charged are equally as important.

Lightweight Travel Blanket - This is definitely optional, however, I prefer to have the extra ability to layer for warmth, shade from the sun, or roll up as a supportive neck pillow.

Aside from some of these specific items, choosing what to pack is the main factor in whether or not I’ll be able to take all of it.

Sizing down items like choosing lightweight runners shorts instead of jeans makes all the difference in the world, as well as living without some of my daily essentials. For example, I replace my daily routine of face wash, toner, and oil with just a small bottle of oil.

I also choose just one pair of shoes. Depending on where I’m going and for how long, it might just be my boots, or just my sneakers, or just my flip flops.

What you decide to compromise is totally up to you and for some, the way I pack still has a lot of room to simplify even more. I hope sharing my approach helps provide you balance and ease when it comes to packing for travels!

Until next time,
~ MJ

Decluttering Your Closet with Purpose

I don’t know about you, but I have a tendency to struggle with letting go of items that seem perfectly useful or hold potential value. I’m also in a line of work that puts a lot of free items in my possession. This can make it difficult and conflicting when deciding what to let go of, especially when I know I’m in a position of excess or surplus.

Something that’s helped me get clear when it comes to decluttering is knowing my purpose. But that statement itself can be more overwhelming. What is our purpose and what does having purpose even mean? Isn’t the whole point of this process to discover, create and refine our purpose?

Here’s the cool thing, when we break the process down into smaller bits, like decluttering… we start to widen our peripheral. Here’s an example of going through this process with my own closet…

#1 The first step is to identify the elements of my lifestyle and day, because this is going to largely effect the types of clothes I want to wear. I also want to identify why these elements are important to me.

Example:

• Active = I want to be comfortable in my clothes, no matter what I’m doing.

• Diverse Schedule / Travel = Clothes need to be suitable for multi-activity use. I don’t want to have to wear 3 different outfits per day.

• Temperate Weather, Extremely hot summers & cool winters - Weather Flexible, efficient fabrics and layers that are compatible with the seasons and travel.

• Business / Social = Aesthetics that are important to me are to look clean, well put together, no distracting colors or prints. I basically want to pick my top and bottom blindfolded and have them fall into all these categories! 😜

It’s important to do the identification process first. This will be the measuring stick that guides your choices not only when it comes to decluttering, but also acquiring.

#2 Simplify / Reduce everything that doesn’t fit into the elements you’ve identified. For myself, it’s important that most of my pieces fit into all 4 elements I’ve listed above. I definitely make exceptions, but I only have a few pieces that I do that for.

Everything else goes! Because the truth is, no matter how cute or how much I intend on wearing those uniquely colored pants, it’s probably never going to happen given my lifestyle and daily circumstances!

#3 The last step is to focus on the elements that are most important to you. For me that’s comfort, diversity, and clean aesthetics.

As I move forward, I find when I’m in need of certain items I’m emotionally detached from the flashy things at the stores. I won’t settle for anything less than what fits all the elements that are important to me and that has spared me conflict, time and energy, wasted money, and wasted space on things that are just so-so because my purpose wasn’t clear during my initial purchase.

I hope this process helps you just as much!

In love and gratitude,
~MJ

Fear of Letting Go

I want it…
I could use it…
I spent money on it…
I lost time for it…
I probably need it…
I’ll just keep it.

And so the mental conflict continues when it comes to decluttering our stuff… but what if there was a different way? What if it didn’t have to be so damn exhausting and difficult?

For the sake of entertaining the thought, let’s think about what it actually costs you:

• Guilt / Anguish - every time you’re reminded of the fact that you acquired it without good reason and it just sits there collecting dust.

• Space - aside from the emotional conflict, it’s occupying space that could be put to better use or produce better feelings if it weren’t there.

• Time - organizing, cleaning, revisiting the conflict over and over… and over… and over… again.

Just let it go.

The amount of time, money and energy you spent bringing it into your life is minimal compared to the exponential resources you use justifying keeping it in your life.

Give, sell, share it with someone who will use and appreciate it more than you.

Now that feels doubly good :)

Are You Ready to Take Life to the Next Level?

Some people wait for something to be excited about, others create it.
Want to live a life that you’re excited about? One that inspires and energized you?

Stop waiting, stop planning, stop trying to get better, just go out there and do it.

“But MJ, I don’t have any time... I don’t know my purpose... I’ve lost my passion...”
If you have no idea what you’re excited about it means you’ve ignored the very things that fulfill you.

Create space to discover. Even if it’s just 30 minutes a day. Start that hobby, finish that side project, map out your dream business, plan your ideal vacation, create a vision board, etc. anything that will trigger inspiration in you once again.

Once you do, identify the things that suck your inspiration dry and start ruthlessly cutting them from your life.

All it takes is a little shift and soon that inspiration grows into action of you creating and living your fullest life.

You need nothing to begin. Just start.

5 Tips: How to Travel Without a Savings

There’s a misconception that only the wealthy can travel well. While some could debate the meaning of “well” in this instance, there is no doubt that if you enjoy and have fun on your travels, then you are doing it well!

Even if you don’t have a big budget or savings account to splurge on all the tourist spots, you can still travel – and well! Creative ways I’ve found to make my travel dreams come true are outlined here for you.

1. Sell What Weighs You Down: I preach over and over again the magnitude of minimalism – and with reason. Take a look around – what’s keeping you locked in the cycle of debt, that could instead earn you income by selling it?
   

2. Simplify: Are you buying things just to impress others? Living in a luxury home when a simpler home would suffice? There are many ways to simplify life that can boost your ability and freedom to travel!
   

3. Take A Leap: Rather than booking fancy hotels and overpriced tourist activities, approach your travels with the intent to actually experience the local culture. LIVE IT rather than just VISIT IT.
   

4. Be Resourceful: Learn skills to earn money while on your trip, use campgrounds and public transportation, get out of your comfort zone. Getting out there and doing the things you’re afraid to do lead you to adventure and becoming the person who travels freely and flexibly.
   

5. Don’t Abandon Responsibilities: It’s not about running away; it’s about building a life you don’t need to run from. Get out there and LIVE!

If you want to travel, but lack the budget – look again. When you focus on gathering experiences rather than belongings, your money goes further. Vacation doesn’t have to be reserved for the summer – let’s make it part of your everyday!

7 MAJOR TIME WASTERS

We do them often. We do them daily. But most of them are a waste of time.
Are you clear on which of these activities don't serve you?

This list isn't about quitting these activities altogether – the goal is to identify when we're unintentionally drawn to them, draining our most precious assets: TIME and ENERGY.

Here are tips to replace/discard these 7 Major Time-Wasters:

1. SOCIAL MEDIA: Remember, most content is fabricated. Use it with intention – share meaningful information and build genuine connections – to create real worth in the social media space.
   

2. TV/MOVIES: They're highly entertaining, but don’t let them become a mindless routine. Watch TED Talks and documentaries to grow your mind. When exhausted mentally and craving zone-out time, couple it with another productive activity like laundry or stretching.
   

3. PHONE/GAME APPS: These become ADDICTING time-sponges! Replacing them with apps that exercise your brain (Lumosity, Duolingo, etc.) generates the same action, but much more value.

4. VIDEO GAMES: They're a lot of fun when intentional time is set aside to enjoy them... But if they're taking away from your motivation to live real life, get off the console and play the real game! Find activities that give you goals to pursue.
   

5. SHOPPING: “Retail therapy” both busts and creates stress. Try accumulating KNOWLEDGE vs. STUFF; try decluttering vs. acquiring. These actions fulfill the impulse while sparing your schedule and wallet! (I personally get the same "high" cleaning my space as I used to shopping for new items to put in my space)
   

6. IDLE CHIT-CHAT: Conversations are crucial in life. To make the most of them, schedule face-to-face (videophone/in-person) connections and experiences to add more value to your time.
   

7. NEGATIVITY: We all experience trauma and have human reactions. The key is to learn that despite the experience, you have a choice to feed the negativity, allowing it to steal your remaining joy, thus breeding more negativity... Or practice gratitude and acceptance, end the suffering and grow peace.

I hope this helps you identify ways to lessen or eliminate time-wasters in your life. You can’t make more time, so use yours wisely!

Which of these categories could you cut back on? What value-adding activity can you replace them with?

Much love,
~MJ

4 THINGS TO AVOID IF YOU WANT TO TRAVEL MORE

The practice of simplifying life (aka minimalism) came to me because of my love to travel freely, frequently, and unattached to financial or time constraints.

There was a time I only wished to travel "someday". I'd admire my vision board and travel magazines, thinking about what it would be like to have the freedom to explore. I didn't realize I was only limited by my attachment to 4 easily overlooked things:

1. SPENDING - I never had the money to travel because I never consciously saved for it. I didn't make a lot of money when I finally figured this one out... I only started setting aside $50-$100 each month to begin my adventures.
   

2. DEBT - Because I was always spending more than I made I was weighed down by the biggest anchor out there: debt. I could never justify spending on a trip when I owed more than that to creditors. (Worst feeling in the world).
   

3. OVER SCHEDULING - Even when I started saving money I was always planning for the future because I didn't make room on my calendar! I had too many obligations and allowed myself to be peer pressured into making other plans with friends instead of making them for myself.
   

4. FEAR - The idea of traveling alone or visiting a foreign place can feel disorienting or overwhelming that we often don't take the first step.
   

WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM:

• Set the intention to travel. Plan for where, when, and how much it will cost you. Then put the date on the calendar!
  

• Set aside a set budget each month to pay down your debt if you have any, then save for travel once the debt is paid off. It doesn't take much to jet-set if you know the best way to travel.
  

• Start small. Even if you have no money to travel you can explore your town, live like a tourist, or make bigger changes like selling your possession and changing your income stream.

3 STEP MEAL PREP

Love it or hate it, we ALL have to prepare meals at some point! Often, this task can seem tedious or maybe you don't feel like you have the energy after a long day. This will, typically, lead us to an alternative option, like eating out. 😬 Convenient, yes... healthy or sustainable, no.

Today I want to help you demystify healthy eating.

Here is my a three-step meal prep plan that is quick, easy, and flexible - so you can whip up tasty and nutritious meals in no time.

MJ's Simplified, Healthy Meals:

1. Pick Your Base: A mix of whole grains + fat proteins + veggies creates the perfect base for all my meals. My staples are quinoa and rice varieties, coupled with avocados or meat/meat substitutes, and then a good dose of veggies, beans, or any greens you love.

2. Add Complementary Flavors: Based on your palate, pick some tasty vegetables or herbs and spices to really bring out the flavor of the base you chose. Go for color – eat the rainbow to get all your minerals and vitamins! Peppers, mushrooms, basil, garlic, ginger, turmeric, etc. can really pack a delicious punch.

3. Add Spices / Sauces: The frosting on the cake, so to speak – jazz up your meal with lemon juice, salsa, hummus, a drizzle of sauce or a dressing that makes your mouth water.

Prepare a big batch of your favorites and you can mix and match for days.

TIP: Try it in a big bowl, on a bed of greens, or tucked inside a burrito. Using a mix of these simple ingredients really maxes out your flavor profiles so you don’t feel bored with your meals, plus it’s still so simple and nutritious.

We can eat healthy and it doesn't have to be an energy drain! We can feel better about ourselves and overall, have more energy when you choose to eat healthy home meals.

Use these easy-peasy methods to make your meal prep efficient and effective, without sacrificing taste and variety. You can find more inspo for energy-boosting meals here and additional energy-boosting resources on my website AND now on my Pinterest!

Bon appétit, my friends!

OUT OF ENERGY? 5 WAYS TO GET MORE.

Does this sound like you?

Pushing to the max, trying to get the most out of every aspect of life (health, wealth, love, happiness!), and feeling like you just can’t achieve balance with it all?

I totally get you!

You don’t have to be diagnosed with a chronic fatigue issue to be overwhelmed and exhausted – it happens to just about everyone!
 

If you're low on energy here are Five Tips to Create More When You’ve Run Out...

1. Water - So crucial yet so frequently forgotten. Make sure you’re getting plenty of high-quality, naturally alkaline water to up your energy. Trust me, it makes a difference!
    

2. Breathe - When you’re racing through your day, taking just 3-5 minutes to relax ultimately helps you be more productive and efficient; you perform best when you’re recharged.
    

3. Meal Prep - Utilizing a meal service or taking a day to meal-plan removes the stress not only of grocery shopping, but also of trying to ensure that all your meals are balanced, nutritious, and still delicious.
    

4. Take Inventory - Keeping inventory of where you spend your time and energy helps cut out energy-wasters while identifying energy restorers. Make a list of what serves you and what makes you feel good vs. what depletes your time and energy.
    

5. Time for YOU - Help yourself feel amazing by moving, restoring, breathing, reflecting, and adjusting your mindset. Taking a little time each day (as little as 5-minutes!) to pour into loving yourself can make a huge difference, keeping you positive and resilient.

We all want to feel like we're succeeding above and beyond the important areas of life! These simple actions will help level up your energy and create the balance you need to accomplish all your goals and grow.