OUR LATEST ARTICLES

Becoming Minimalist After A Spiritual Awakening - What Changes Within

Becoming Minimalist After A Spiritual Awakening: What Changes Within

Given that you’re reading this, you’ve probably been experiencing what’s known to many as a spiritual awakening. Going through a spiritual awakening can change us to our core as people. Ironically, our cores are usually the only things that don’t change – a spiritual awakening causes a dissolving of values, habits and perspectives that aren’t true to our core beliefs. The awakening process has been described as a burning off of all things unnecessary in our minds and hearts, leaving behind only what’s truly authentic to us on a soul level. In turn, a spiritual awakening is guaranteed to usher in some lifestyle changes. In this article, we’ll be talking about why many people become minimalist after a spiritual awakening and what specifically changes inside of us through this process.

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Why Do People Buy Big Homes? 5 Disadvantages Of Having A Big House

Why Do People Buy Big Homes? 5 Disadvantages Of Having A Big House

For decades, millions of people consider a nice, large home as a cornerstone of being successful. Smaller, simpler homes are referred to as ‘starter homes’, implying that a nicer – most likely larger – house is what’s truly desired in the future, once it’s attainable. Movies, TV and other forms of media glorify large homes, including the mega-mansions owned by celebrities and other extremely wealthy people. We could go on about all the ways big homes are lusted after, including the bigger-is-better mentality of many Americans, but you get the picture. Do big homes really make us happy, though? Why do people buy big homes, other than being ‘groomed’ to desire them? Let’s talk about 5 disadvantages of having a big house that may change your opinion of wanting one.

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Frugal Rich People - 7 Secrets Of Wealthy People Who Live Humbly

Frugal Rich People: 7 Secrets Of Wealthy People Who Live Humbly

When most picture a wealthy person, they imagine flashy cars, the hottest brands and at least one huge house. This is the image of wealth that the media and advertisements have been pushing for decades. In reality, this description does not always correlate with how rich people actually live. Many dress in normal clothes, live in reasonable houses and drive common cars. You most likely know at least one wealthy person that keeps it completely hidden! In this article, we’re talking about frugal rich people and 7 secrets of wealthy people who live humbly.

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7 Crucial Lessons We Can Learn About Minimalism In College

7 Crucial Lessons We Can Learn About Minimalism In College

How many times have you heard a person describe their college experiences as being a “poor student living on Ramen noodles”? Having little money and few resources has become synonymous with the life of a college student at this point. Students are caught in this half-way stage of no longer being a kid, yet not quite being a fully-functioning adult either. When we’re students, we can’t wait to get into the adult world, where houses, cars and spending money will finally fall into our laps. The ironic part is that many adults who have these things look back on their college years with fondness, wishing they could go back to those times for a little while longer with the knowledge they now have. While a portion of this sentiment is due to pining after our youth, there’s another thing we look for – the feeling of being in college again. What if it’s not the college-aspect of that time period that we miss, after all? What if it’s the way we lived our lives instead? The parts of what make our college years so great are actually related to the core philosophies of minimalism. Today, we’re talking about 7 crucial lessons we can learn about minimalism in college!

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Generating Your Own Electricity At Home: A Few Must-Know Methods

Generating Your Own Electricity At Home: A Few Must-Know Methods

In this day and age, we rely on electricity for so many aspects of our daily lives. Even just sticking with the absolute essentials like a radio or a light, we need some kind of power to keep them running. For most of us, getting power is as simple as plugging into a wall outlet. Others living off-the-grid need to get a little more creative. Just because we have access to electricity in our houses doesn’t mean we can rely completely on it, or even want to rely on it i.e. pay for it. In this article, we’re talking about generating your own electricity at home and some must-know methods to do it….and when we say home, that can include living in a tent, RV or remote cabin! Let’s get started.

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Is It Worth Buying A Car? Here Are 6 Factors To Think About

Is It Worth Buying A Car? Here Are 6 Factors To Think About

Americans love cars. Not only have cars been a manufacturing staple in America for many years, but we love to drive them, shop for them and compare them. The ‘road trip’ is a rite of passage. Getting a drivers’ license is a major milestone in a young adult’s life. Pictures of cars are everywhere online – we can even buy them online and have them delivered to our houses at this point. Cars are just cool. All that said, though, there are many things to consider about buying a car before diving in head first. Is it worth buying a car? In this article, we’re going to talk about 6 factors to consider about buying one.

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7 Reasons Why People Become Obsessed With Material Possessions

7 Reasons Why People Become Obsessed With Material Possessions

On this website, we define the essence of minimalism as living a simple, high-quality life focused on having great experiences and feeling truly content. That said, the desire to live in this manner isn’t exclusively for minimalists. It’s likely that the majority of people on Earth want the same for themselves. So how does materialism and consumerism play into people’s thoughts or actions? In this article, we’ll explore 7 reasons why people become obsessed with material possessions. Let’s dive in.

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Is A Bike The Ideal Form Of Minimalist Transportation? The Pros & Cons

Is A Bike The Ideal Form Of Minimalist Transportation? The Pros & Cons

At this site, we’re always looking for ways to become more efficient. To do more with less. To maximize the benefits we can get out of every aspect of our lives. Considering these statements, let’s talk about transportation. Cars lose their value and burn fuel with every mile they drive. We spend hours per week (or day) commuting to and from work in our cars, where we sit idle and more or less unproductive – not great from a fitness or quality-of-life standpoint. Even public transportation costs money and uses plenty of energy. All of this begs the question – is riding a bicycle the ideal form of minimalist transportation? Let’s go over the pros and cons.

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6 Philosophies Of Minimalism Realized During COVID-19

6 Philosophies Of Minimalism Realized During COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

The COVID-19 ‘Coronavirus’ pandemic has disrupted the lives of almost everyone on Earth. In a mere matter of months, our way of life has been flipped upside down, making even the most basic daily activities impossible. People are dying and millions of people are going without basic needs. We can’t spend time with loved ones or even go to work. Money is tight, the economy is disrupted and our spirits are truly being tested. In this time, we’re all forced to adapt in some major ways to this ‘new normal’. With these changes in our lives must come changes in our mentalities. Here are 6 philosophies of minimalism we can benefit from internalizing during these trying times.

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How can I be minimalist with clothes

How Can I Be Minimalist With Clothes? Top 10 Minimalist Wardrobe Tips

Of all the challenges that come with a minimalist lifestyle, regulating our spending on clothes may be the toughest to stick to. Social media and advertisements constantly pepper us with new styles, brand names and temptation. Stores compete with each other to encourage shopping with them. Not to mention, we get bored by wearing the same old things over and over. Practicing minimalism isn’t always easy, and temptations make it even harder. “How can I be minimalist with clothes?”, you may ask. In this article, we’ll focus on 10 ways to can maintain a minimalist wardrobe and look good doing it!

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Is minimalism for the rich?

Is Minimalism For The Rich? 5 Common Opinions & Our Honest Thoughts

“Minimalism? That’s for rich people!”. We’ve probably all heard that quote somewhere. Whether it be from a parent, elder or anyone in our day-to-day circle, many people hear the word minimalism and immediately picture urban, educated, difference-maker types who go out of their way to be as progressive and “with the times” as they possibly can be. People with extra time on their hands. People who can afford to live light and spend their money on high-quality experiences instead. So, is minimalism for the rich only? In this article, we’ll open up on our honest thoughts about minimalism and the common stigmas associated with it.

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What Can You Do For Free Outside?

What Can You Do For Free Outside? 10 Free Or Cheap Outdoor Activities

Who doesn’t love the outdoors? Any time of year, any place you go, there are going to be people getting outside to enjoy nature. The best part about it, is that nature is always there. Sure, we might need equipment or supplies to do certain things, but in the vast majority of cases, there’s a $0 entry fee. I personally love getting outside and can’t help but to feel a little extra satisfaction when it didn’t cost much. So what can you do for free outside? In this article, we’ll explore 10 free or cheap activities in the outdoors we can do today!

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What Are The Most Trusted Brands? Brands Known For Quality

What Are The Most Trusted Brands? Brands Known For Quality

For the vast majority of us, there comes a point when we have to buy something. There are certain everyday devices and goods that we rely on to live, so we need to replace them when they’re finally kaput. For items we rely on regularly, it makes sense to buy from brands known for quality. Even if we spend a bit more up front, high quality items will last significantly longer than their cheaper counterparts. So what are the most trusted brands? In this article, we’ll explore brands known for quality, value and service.

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Do Indigenous Tribes Still Exist

Do Indigenous Tribes Still Exist? 4 Tribes In Isolation & How They Live!

In 2019, internet and modern technology is almost everywhere. Whether you’re in downtown Manhattan or rural America alike, you can get phone service and access to the vast, open internet. It’s likely that more than 50% of people worldwide are using the internet at this point. This even includes many third-world countries that are lacking in basic resources. While the internet is of course practical, people also want it…everywhere. With so much connectivity in remote places, do you’re probably wondering “Do indigenous tribes still exist?”. Even with the advancement of technology, some people still live separate from the rest of society – completely separate. In this article, we’ll discuss 4 isolated tribes and how they live their lives!

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25 Ways To Reuse Common Household Items

25 Ways To Reuse Common Household Items

Do you ever go to throw something away, and feel shame that something perfectly good is going to waste? Unfortunately, it’s an all-too-common situation in America. Even though recycling is becoming more and more commonplace, Americans still produce nearly five pounds of garbage per person, per day (via Learner.org). That’s a lot of trash. At Maximize Minimalism, we’re focused on living lightly, having great experiences and getting the most out of the items we possess. With this in mind, we’re writing this article to focus on 25 ways to reuse common household items. Let’s explore!

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How Can I Update My Home Cheaply

How Can I Update My Home Cheaply? Our Top 10 Ideas

At some point, every home needs to be updated. Materials wear out and most things break eventually. As much as we may want to squeeze every last use out of our possessions, they’ll require replacement at some point. Home renovation is an ever-growing niche, both in reality and on TV. Social media and reality shows feature beautiful, modern updated houses but there’s an inconvenient truth behind this that we all know – it’s expensive! Home improvements across the U.S. will exceed $3 Trillion in total costs by 2020 (via Statista)! While some of this is for necessary repairs, a lot of money goes into our homes. So how can I update my home cheaply? If you’re looking to update your home, without spending a fortune, check out our top 10 list below!

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Most Popular Second Hand Items

Most Popular Second Hand Items: Our Top 10 List Of Things To Buy Used

As modern-day consumers, our lives revolve around buying things. In 2019, Americans are expected to spend more than $14 Trillion dollars on consumer-related purchases! When we aren’t spending money, we’re lusting after things other people have or being bombarded with advertisements. In reality, a lot of the $14T in consumer-spending is on necessities: mortgages/rent, transportation, groceries, etc. However, plenty of money is spent on items that hardly get used. Most of us have items in our houses that make us think: I never use this! Why did I buy this? How can I sell this?. With so many of us doing this, we’re actually creating an opportunity for other people to buy our like-new second-hand items for a much better price! In this article, we’ll list our most popular second hand items that you can save on!

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how can we save energy at home

How Can We Save Energy At Home? Here Are 10 Simple Habits

We all remember the things our parents preached about when we were kids. When they weren’t paying the bills, they were talking to us about saving energy around the house. Only it didn’t come in a pleasant, eco-friendly green package – the lessons came raw and unrefined. Did you reach for the thermostat when you were cold? “Don’t touch that! Put on a sweater.” How about leaving your door open by accident? “Do you live in a BARN?!”. If the sink was left running, you’d hear “enough drops of water fill a glass”. And of course, turning off the light when leaving a room was a cardinal rule. Nowadays, things have changed, yet somehow remained very much the same. So how can we save energy at home in modern times? Below are a few easy ways!

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How Do You Maximize Space In A Small House

How Do You Maximize Space In A Small House? Try These 6 Tips

People are moving into smaller houses for many reasons. Some don’t want to spend unnecessarily on a bigger place. Others live in areas where apartments are common, or smaller houses are the only option. Without a bit of strategy and creativity, a small house can feel even smaller when it’s crowded with furniture or walled off excessively. However, there are many ways that we can not only maximize space in a small house, but take advantage of some underutilized spaces in ANY type of house. So how do you maximize space in a small house?

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Things A Minimalist Must Own

Things A Minimalist Must Own: Our List Of 111 Items

As we’ve written in previous articles, minimalism exists on a spectrum. Some people just have too much stuff and want rid themselves of excess. Others prefer quality of quantity in life; they don’t want to live link a monk, but also recognize the toxicity of consumerism and materialism. Then there’s ultra-minimalists: people who want to live with as few possessions as possible. This can include counting every item they own and trying to keep the total quantity under 100 total items. With our lean-and-mean list coming in at 111, we have respect for them! Regardless of where you fall on this spectrum, you’ve probably wondered at some point: what are the things a minimalist must own?

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How Do You Pack Lightly For A Weekend Trip

How Do You Pack Lightly For A Weekend Trip? 6 Useful Tips

Personally, I always tend to pack more for a trip than I actually end up needing. The corny expression of “better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it” is etched in my mind, and packing for a trip is no exception. Why is this? For me, I like having several clothing options to choose from, a couple pairs of shoes and have zero risk of not having what I need on hand. Yet, my parents used to have a good laugh at my expense when my wife and I showed up with two bags on Friday evening, knowing full well that I’ll be heading out Sunday afternoon. Something needed to change! I set out to answer the big burning question of: How do you pack lightly for a weekend trip? Here’s what I’ve changed since.

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How Do I Start A Minimalist Lifestyle

How Do I Start A Minimalist Lifestyle? 6 Simple Steps & Questions To Ask

As people become aware of minimalism, they naturally become curious about practicing it themselves. People are beginning to recognize that they’re living in a cycle of meeting societal expectations and consumerism, which ultimately leaves us feeling unsatisfied. More and more people are beginning to seek satisfaction through experience and quality of life, rather than through material possessions or hitting milestones. Having said all that, one question remains: “How do I start a minimalist lifestyle?”. We’ll discuss a few ways you can start practicing minimalism right now!

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What is the hedonic adaptation and how can we avoid it?

What Is Hedonic Adaptation And How Can We Avoid It?

Like many people, my life has had its’ share of ups and downs. I’ve had goals and experienced setbacks. Aspirations have been reached and happiness has been felt, but it’s always been fleeting. In fact, nearly any happiness I’ve ever felt after buying something I really want, getting a raise or having experience, life always seemed the same afterwards. I always expected to feel different; changed. Does this sound familiar? A few years ago I stumbled upon the concept of the Hedonic Treadmill, which explains this phenomena I’ve experienced in perfect detail. Which leads us to explore this question: “What is hedonic adaptation and how can we avoid it?”

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What Is The Minimalist Lifestyle?

What Is The Minimalist Lifestyle?

It’s easy to identify unnecessary wastes of money in our lives, yet so many of us still struggle making ends meet to live a statistically average life (financially). Does life really need to be this way? No, it doesn’t. More and more people are choosing an alternative path every day – the minimalist lifestyle. What is the minimalist lifestyle, you ask? Let’s explore it.

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WHAT IS FENG SHUI AND WHAT IS ITS PURPOSE?

What Is Feng Shui And What Is Its Purpose? | The Five Key Components

The story of Feng Shui begins approximately 6,000 years ago, according to structures built during that time. In Ancient China, people used astronomy to properly orient themselves with north, south, east and west. The easiest way to do this was to observe the constellations, along with the path of the sun throughout the year – noting areas that experience excess sun or shade, and how they change with the seasons. Ancient structures in China were built in such a way so they get maximum sun exposure. Historians believe this was planned for warmth and survival – the earliest example of feng shui. So what is Feng Shui and what is its’ purpose?

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15 Unnecessary Wastes Of Money

Unnecessary Wastes Of Money | 15 Biggest

In the first three months of 2019, consumer spending is on pace to exceed $14 Trillion by the end of the year, according to the Bureau of Economics (via TheBalance). In this article, we aim to identify the biggest unnecessary wastes of money within that $14T that we’re all guilty of!

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