November 2024 - Gifts and Gifting

🎁 We are heading into the last two months of the year and I don’t know about you, but for me this time can be a little hectic.

It’s this mix of trying to finish end-of-year projects, the increase in social events (or feeling like you should plan something social), and for a lot of people: needing to figure out gifts.

As someone who aims to have less “stuff,” I often get questions about gift giving. Gift giving is a huge part of the human experience (and actually, many animals give gifts too). It’s a way to improve relationships. It’s part of being social.

Companies have taken note and, with ever increasing intensity, are pushing their “stuff” on us. Just go to any website’s front page and you’ll already see gift ideas, stocking stuffers, and early bird deals “perfect for your parent/spouse/child/friend/colleague/pet.”

This month I’m hoping to take a little bit of pressure off for you. We’ll be talking about:

• Minimalist gift ideas and how to navigate gift giving (all year round)
• The power of balance
• Taking some time to come up with your own minimalist wishlist

Something by me

Gift giving season is upon us (and for some people, it’s always gift giving season.) For people who aspire to live with less, or those with loved ones who aspire to live with less, this can be a complicated topic. What do you give someone who doesn’t want anything? How do you approach gift giving if you don’t want anything, and don’t want to contribute to other people’s clutter? 

If you can come to a mutual understanding and agreement about whether or not to buy gifts, or what type of gifts you’ll be buying, you can prevent a lot of stress during this end of year period (and any other gift-giving occasions). Having conversations about this topic might not always be possible, or even culturally acceptable however. So, in this post I’ll be covering three gift giving situations: before gift giving, gift ideas for minimalists, and what to do with gifts you don’t like.

READ MORE

Something by someone else

Title: Lao Tzu: Tao Te Ching: A Book About the Way and the Power of the Way - Ursula K. Le Guin

Description: “No other English translation of this greatest of the Chinese classics can match Ursula K. Le Guin's striking new version. Le Guin, best known for thought-provoking science fiction novels that have helped to transform the genre, has studied the Tao Te Ching for more than forty years. She has consulted the literal translations and worked with Chinese scholars to develop a version that lets the ancient text speak in a fresh way to modern people, while remaining faithful to the poetic beauty of the work. Avoiding scholarly interpretations and esoteric Taoist insights, she has revealed the Tao Te Ching 's immediate relevance and power, its depth and refreshing humor, in a way that shows better than ever before why it has been so much loved for more than 2,500 years. Included are Le Guin's own personal commentary and notes on the text. This new version is sure to be welcomed by the many readers of the Tao Te Ching as well as those coming to the text for the first time.”

Why I like it: This modern version of an ancient text (with notes!) digs into how life is a balancing act, full of contradictions. I’ve had way too much stuff and way too little—both times, I was miserable. I’ve said things that caused issues, then overthought my words so much to prevent offense, I ended up losing my voice. To me, these texts feel like a guide against too much and too little. They’re all about avoiding excess, finding strength in softness, focusing on quality and authenticity, and again, balance.

One of my favorite chapters reminds me of the concept of MA:

“THE USES OF NOT

Thirty spokes meet in the hub.
Where the wheel isn't is where it's useful.
Hollowed out, clay makes a pot.
Where the pot's not is where it's useful.
Cut doors and windows to make a room.
Where the room isn't, there's room for you.
So the profit in what is, is in the use of what isn't.”

CHECK IT OUT HERE

Something by you

This month, after reading the blog, I invite you to sit back, and come up with a list of minimalist gifts that work for you. Both to give and to receive.

• Are there experiences you’d love to try out?

• Are there people you’d like to do them with?

• Are there regional delicacies that you could share with  hose around you?

• Are there consumables you can make/bake yourself?

Get creative! Last year I shared how my friend took me to see a candlelight string concert. It was unlike anything I’d ever think to get for myself, but it inspired me to think outside of the box and now my google searches for fun stuff to do in my area are much more diverse.

Refine updates: Behind the scenes

Last month I shared that, in order to keep the content I share as “not sales-y” as possible, I am creating a separate email funnel to drive traffic to my course Refine your Devices. Well, the funnel is up and running and I’d love to get some feedback on it.

If you’re interested, you can sign up HERE. When you sign up you’ll get an email containing my Weekly Digital Decluttering Routine as well as a series of emails that dive a little deeper into each of the modules from the course. Just so you know, there’s no pressure to purchase, I’d just love your feedback. See you there!