“The first principle of all action is leisure.” — Aristotle Bertrand Russell was a British philosopher, logician, mathematician, historian, writer, social critic, political activist, and Nobel laureate.¹ In 1932, at 60 years old, he wrote In … [Read more...]
“Conspicuous Consumption of Time: When Busyness and Lack of Leisure Time Become a Status Symbol” (Research Summary)
When it comes to busyness, there's plenty of info online that states the what (we're all busy) and gives you tips about how to unbusy your work and life. But, they often leave out why we are so busy. A fascinating piece of busyness research … [Read more...]
“Economic Possibilities for our Grandchildren” by John Maynard Keynes (Essay Summary)
John Maynard Keynes is widely regarded as one of the most influential economists of the 20th century. In 1930, he wrote Economic Possibilities for our Grandchildren (free PDF). Now 88 years later, it's fascinating to look at what predictions … [Read more...]
12 Slow Living Themes from “Slow” by Brooke McAlary (Book Summary)
As much as I loved the book Voluntary Simplicity, I was in need of something simple and refreshing after finishing it. Brooke McAlary’s new book, Slow: Simple Living for a Frantic World, did the trick. I've been waiting for this book to be … [Read more...]
A Detailed Overview of “Voluntary Simplicity” by Duane Elgin (Book Summary)
This is a book about the “why” behind voluntary simplicity. It’s not necessarily a how-to guide or checklist of to-dos. I think that’s why I love it so much. So many books skip straight to the "hows," but if you aren’t aligned to the “why,” the … [Read more...]
“Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life” (Book Summary)
If you're just looking for a quick overview of the ikigai concept, check out this previous post: Ikigai: The Japanese Purpose or “Reason for Being”. This post is a summary of the book Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Héctor … [Read more...]
All the Ingredients from “The Slow Fix” by Carl Honoré (Book Summary)
Carl Honoré is one of the leaders of the slow living movement. You can see what inspired his transformation to slow living here. He's known for his international bestseller, In Praise of Slow, and I greatly appreciate the global worldview he brings … [Read more...]
7 Principles from “Simplify” by Joshua Becker (eBook Summary)
Joshua Becker is one of the most down-to-earth simple living writers out there. He’s been writing for a decade, and he’s one of the biggest names in the community online. One of the reasons he's so accessible is because he's part of a normal suburban … [Read more...]
An In-Depth Look at “Goodbye, Things” by Fumio Sasaki (Book Summary)
Goodbye, Things was a breath of fresh air. It opened my eyes to the universal nature of minimalism and to the Japanese culture. And, it's written by someone who isn't a well-known author, speaker, or top simple living leader. Or, a Zen Buddhist … [Read more...]
9 Top Themes from “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” by Marie Kondo (Book Summary)
Wow! It's been a bit since I've said that after reading a book. There's a reason this book is a global sensation. It has it all — philosophical wisdom, Japanese cultural traditions, and practical advice based on a lot of real experience and trial … [Read more...]
