a better life… just one percent at a time
“The more we value things, the less we value ourselves”
Quote from Bruce Lee
Martial Artist, Instructor, Actor, Director, Philosopher; Founder of Jeet Kune Do
My partner’s sister-in-law is a self-proclaimed minimalist. Proudly placed on her entryway table is a sign that says, “Less house, more home.”
It’s awesome. Unfortunately you can barely see it behind all of the high-end decorative items also cluttering the table.
Continue reading “Maximize Happiness with Rational Minimalism”
Happy thirtieth birthday to me.
Let the death march begin.
It’s okay, I had fun in my youth. Shenanigans in my teens, going for something between goth and heavy metal. Dating a local musician, going to shows, becoming the unintended groupie. And my minivan really rounded out the persona.
I embraced the academic world, took a range of classes – philosophy, world religion, literature, biology, psychology, statistics. Even stayed up late reading great works, and made time to go to a few shows every semester. Slipped away and reunited with my high school friends over drinks and live music.
And then I became a corporate whore and suburbanite.
Continue reading “An Experiment With Minimalism Across the Pond”
The corporate Koolaid tasted delicious.
I broke my tooth six months into my new job. Paid time off was available to me to to visit the dentist, and insurance covered some of the cost. Every two weeks, a deposit came into my account like clockwork. It took a few months to stop thinking like an hourly employee, wondering if I’d have enough money for my bills, for my rent. Worrying that my schedule would be cut one week, hoping for overtime the next week.
Continue reading “My First House and Settling for the Suburban Life”
How can we escape the rat race and lead a more meaningful, fulfilling, and healthy life? We can start by setting our intentions and taking some risks. Making each day just one percent better.
Just one percent better challenges you to question the societal norm. Our consumer-driven society chains us to jobs we don’t love, so we can pay off the debt for things we don’t need. We can choose to be a little bit better everyday. Start by being frugal and intentional with our spending. Then get back in touch with self-sufficiency, valuing our friends and family, and putting our health first.
Continue reading “Welcome to Just One Percent Better”