Simplifying our lives in an overabundant society isn’t easy, but one of the core lessons of travel and adventure often reacquaints us with the value of frugality.
Justin, this hit like a perfectly packed backpack - nothing extra, just the essentials and a whole lot of perspective. That childhood blizzard story transported me right back to similar nights huddled by a woodstove, wondering why anyone needed a microwave when you could roast marshmallows over real flames.
You’ve nailed the push-pull tension so many of us wrestle with: the longing for simplicity while wading through a culture of "just one more thing." And I fully laughed at the Goodwill confession (sorry, Mom!). Frugality as an adventure skill rather than just a virtue feels like the reminder we all need, especially those of us who’ve lived out of a backpack and returned home side-eying every drawer and closet.
Thanks for weaving humor and honesty into a topic that too often gets preachy. This felt like sitting around a trailhead swapping stories about life, stuff, and what really sticks with us after the hike ends.
Freda, thank you so much! I’m very grateful to receive such wonderful feedback and happy to hear you enjoyed it. Reading this made my evening. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts. Cheers!
Great post. As a child I used to love it when we had power cuts, or got 'snowed in' in rural Shropshire in the UK. In fact I still love it now, and seek out places where I can live simply for a while.
Thank you! I feel that same way still too. There’s something exciting about having a sudden challenge to simplify. Thanks for sharing your thoughts Nicholas. Cheers!
Experiences are our greatest memories, not the stuff itself. Absolutely! When we hold on to the stuff, someone else has to deal with it upon our death usually. Connections, adventure and travel are the best memories. For a few years my husband and I went to Mexico on dental missions and when we returned, we felt overwhelmed by the amount of 'stuff' we had compared to those in Mexico. The people there were so happy, they didn't need 'stuff'. They had family and community and didn't want for more. Travel can make you realize things you might not have realized before. I think that's part of the reason we sold everything and moved to Costa Rica a few years ago, and now that I'm back in the states, I'm changed and always ask myself how much we really 'need'. If we can all just carry on our back(packs!) what we need, I think many would be happier.
One thing that has bothered me is the consumer culture of parenthood. On Reddit, Facebook groups, mom blogs we are inundated with ‘nursery reveals’ where everything is themed/perfect, advice for creating your nursing station, and 1000 other products that you need to have. Turns out, babies change constantly and those products only last 2-6 weeks. And all babies need is milk, a crib, and couple outfits and lots of love. It’s just one example of a con that we are all falling for. And where do the products we used for 3 weeks go?!
I guess some gen Zers have been embracing ‘minimalist core’ (or whatever dumb thing they call it). Apparently we only respond if it’s well branded in 15-second tik tok videos. Whatever it’s called, I hope it works for them.
I enjoyed your description of an evening by the fire without electricity. It reminded me of a time when my mom was visiting and we lost electricity. She told us stories about when she was younger, and we were an attentive audience, enjoying every word.
Moving can really help one simplify their stuff. Seems each time we move, we give more away before taking off. It's pretty great. Though we're not minimalists, some of our family and friends think we are. After college I did a whole back to the land thing and that really helped w/ fewer belongings. Maybe if one travels, that desire to rid ourselves of belongings is more prevalent. I like the simplicity of fewer things.
I also feel a draw towards materialistic minimalism. This is a great reminder that I need to review all of my acquired things to see what is still necessary!
Justin, this hit like a perfectly packed backpack - nothing extra, just the essentials and a whole lot of perspective. That childhood blizzard story transported me right back to similar nights huddled by a woodstove, wondering why anyone needed a microwave when you could roast marshmallows over real flames.
You’ve nailed the push-pull tension so many of us wrestle with: the longing for simplicity while wading through a culture of "just one more thing." And I fully laughed at the Goodwill confession (sorry, Mom!). Frugality as an adventure skill rather than just a virtue feels like the reminder we all need, especially those of us who’ve lived out of a backpack and returned home side-eying every drawer and closet.
Thanks for weaving humor and honesty into a topic that too often gets preachy. This felt like sitting around a trailhead swapping stories about life, stuff, and what really sticks with us after the hike ends.
Freda, thank you so much! I’m very grateful to receive such wonderful feedback and happy to hear you enjoyed it. Reading this made my evening. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts. Cheers!
Great post. As a child I used to love it when we had power cuts, or got 'snowed in' in rural Shropshire in the UK. In fact I still love it now, and seek out places where I can live simply for a while.
Thank you! I feel that same way still too. There’s something exciting about having a sudden challenge to simplify. Thanks for sharing your thoughts Nicholas. Cheers!
Experiences are our greatest memories, not the stuff itself. Absolutely! When we hold on to the stuff, someone else has to deal with it upon our death usually. Connections, adventure and travel are the best memories. For a few years my husband and I went to Mexico on dental missions and when we returned, we felt overwhelmed by the amount of 'stuff' we had compared to those in Mexico. The people there were so happy, they didn't need 'stuff'. They had family and community and didn't want for more. Travel can make you realize things you might not have realized before. I think that's part of the reason we sold everything and moved to Costa Rica a few years ago, and now that I'm back in the states, I'm changed and always ask myself how much we really 'need'. If we can all just carry on our back(packs!) what we need, I think many would be happier.
One thing that has bothered me is the consumer culture of parenthood. On Reddit, Facebook groups, mom blogs we are inundated with ‘nursery reveals’ where everything is themed/perfect, advice for creating your nursing station, and 1000 other products that you need to have. Turns out, babies change constantly and those products only last 2-6 weeks. And all babies need is milk, a crib, and couple outfits and lots of love. It’s just one example of a con that we are all falling for. And where do the products we used for 3 weeks go?!
I guess some gen Zers have been embracing ‘minimalist core’ (or whatever dumb thing they call it). Apparently we only respond if it’s well branded in 15-second tik tok videos. Whatever it’s called, I hope it works for them.
I enjoyed your description of an evening by the fire without electricity. It reminded me of a time when my mom was visiting and we lost electricity. She told us stories about when she was younger, and we were an attentive audience, enjoying every word.
Moving can really help one simplify their stuff. Seems each time we move, we give more away before taking off. It's pretty great. Though we're not minimalists, some of our family and friends think we are. After college I did a whole back to the land thing and that really helped w/ fewer belongings. Maybe if one travels, that desire to rid ourselves of belongings is more prevalent. I like the simplicity of fewer things.
Thanks for the additional inspiration as we head into spring cleaning. Perhaps Jack Reacher should be our model when we fight the urge to accumulate.
I also feel a draw towards materialistic minimalism. This is a great reminder that I need to review all of my acquired things to see what is still necessary!