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Take a few MOMENTS to relax and read.
I just got back from a 50-day inpatient treatment facility to look into my health issues.
I’ll go into some more detail below.
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MONEY TIP
Set a weekly “money hour” where you do nothing but sit with your finances—no distractions, no spreadsheets, no pressure to act. Just look. Watch your spending habits like you’d observe a stranger. This quiet attention fosters awareness without shame, and over time, that awareness naturally leads to better choices—without the need for forced budgets or apps. If you prefer spreadsheets and numbers, then you’ll like the next tool.
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OPPORTUNITY
One of the most effective tools for both minimalism and money is the “inventory list.” It’s simple: make a list of everything you own or everything you spend money on in a month. Seeing it all written out—every subscription, every jacket, every kitchen gadget—removes the illusion of “just a few things.” This raw visibility forces clarity. You’ll quickly see what adds value and what clutters your space or drains your wallet. It’s less about cutting and more about becoming conscious. I’ve created an inventory list that you can download, and it’s also designed to track your spending, income, assets, and net worth. They’re all different tabs on the bottom.
Get the Finance Overview Worksheet
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MINIMALISM TIP
I’ve been away at a treatment facility for 50 days. They treat PTSD and their trauma therapy and medical treatment are amazing, but I underestimated the value of simply disconnecting from technology and living in the present. They don’t allow phones or computers, so I was completely tech-free. It was so different to walk around and actually say “hello” to people since nobody was on their phone. Genuine connections and conversations are so fulfilling. I also started journaling with a pen and paper again, as well as reading real paper books. Try disconnecting. If possible, consider taking a tech-free retreat for a few days or longer. Use these 50 ideas for unplugging. Slow your life down.
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ESSENTIAL READING
Other than the trauma therapy and TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) treatment at the facility, I also learned about codependency and how it affects literally everyone in some way. The absolute best book on the subject is Facing Codependence by the late Pia Mellody. This is one of the books I read while I was in treatment. If you could use help in any of these 5 areas (taken from the book’s model), then this book is for you:
- Self-Esteem: Helps you build a positive sense of self-worth and confidence.
- Reality: Encourages acceptance of life as it is, allowing for healthier responses to challenges.
- Boundaries: Teaches how to set healthy emotional and relational boundaries.
- Moderation: Promotes balanced living without extremes in behavior or emotions.
- Dependency: Supports developing healthy, non-destructive relationships and reducing harmful dependencies.
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NOTION
Teach your kids how to spot emotional advertising—the kind that doesn’t just show a product but tries to make them feel incomplete without it. Sit together and watch a few ads, then pause and ask, “What emotion are they trying to sell you?” This builds a habit of questioning before wanting, turning them into mindful consumers in a world built to trigger impulse. It’s a skill that protects not just their wallets, but their sense of self. Many adults haven’t grasped the concept of advertising that targets emotions rather than needs and wants. Set your kids up to recognize it.
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TRAVEL TIP
If you want to make traveling more seamless, you need a THINK. I made up the acronym for fun (THIN Kit would work too); it stands for “Twelve-Hour Immediate Necessity Kit.” Before every trip, pack a “first 12 hours” kit in a small, easy-to-reach bag—snacks, meds, a change of clothes, toothbrush, charger, and anything you’d need if your luggage vanished or plans shifted… or if you are simply too tired to worry about opening your checked bags when you first arrive. Whether you travel once a year or every month, this tiny buffer reduces stress, buys flexibility, and turns travel hiccups into minor delays instead of full-blown crises. Most travelers prepare for the whole trip but forget to protect the beginning.
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SCRIPTURE
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 22:36-40
Closing Question
Do you love yourself? Jesus assumes we love ourselves when speaking of how we treat others. It’s basically impossible to love others if you don’t love yourself.
Dive deep and determine if you do love yourself.
