Minimal Monthly

Hello, hello!

Outside of tidy-land, I've been on a gov contract this whole year. It ends in four days. I should be celebrating, but I'm too exhausted to feel anything what with not having had a day off since last New Year's. Now that the finish line is finally here, I kinda want to collapse.

Burnout rates generally tend to be high in November and December, the exact time when things get even crazier as the holiday season begins.

What I'm looking forward to after this contract wraps up is... absolutely nothing. And I mean that in the best possible way. Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is give yourself permission to be completely unproductive. To rest without an agenda, even if it's only for an afternoon in between cooking turkeys, white elephant parties, and gift shopping.

Affiliate Corner

This great deal expires tomorrow: Try out Audible for three months at just 0.99 cents a month and get $20 in credits to spend. An audio book subscription makes such a great gift, too, for the minimalists on your holiday shopping list. 🎅🏽

Mixed Bag 'o Links

Here's a roundup of what caught my eye across the web this month, including some household tips, a wonderful documentary, and the latest landscaping trend.

• If you're looking for a more natural way to tackle kitchen grime, it turns out coconut oil isn't just for cooking (or for split ends!). The Spruce has a great guide on using it to clean everything from greasy stovetops to stainless steel sinks.
• Curious about what's next in home design? Sticking with the Spruce, this 2026 Trend Report caught me eye. It suggests we're moving towards more personal and expressive spaces, with nostalgic gallery walls and playful tiles taking centre stage.
• When the weather's freezing, window condensation becomes a real battle. Hello! Magazine has some practical, expert-backed tips on how to prevent it and save your windowsills from damp and mould.
• Constantly checking your 401k is just one of 10 signs you might be ready for retirement according to the WSJ. Although I'd add that feeling ready and being ready are two different things! 😅
• For those who love a minimalist aesthetic but still want a connection to nature, "prairie minimalism" might be an appealing landscape design. It's a rather beautiful, restrained approach to gardening. It looks both modern and wild to me 🌾
• Here's a decluttering hack from Real Simple that starts with... not doing the laundry. Yep, it forces you to see what clothes you actually wear, so letting go of what you never reach for is easier. At least in theory ;)
• I hadn't heard of the "Houdini Method" yet, but apparently it's a simple trick for making things you don't want to deal with "disappear" from your main living spaces. Spoiler: you'll need some baskets and bins. I'm not a fan of procrastination, but this def works when you have guests coming for the holidays!
• Lastly, just for a bit of armchair travel and pre-holiday escapism, this YouTube video documents a remarkable adventure to Xinjiang, the remote and diverse region where China meets Central Asia. A place few of us ever get to see, with fascinating cultures and landscapes so, so stunning!

That's it for this month. I can't believe the year is almost over, can you?! Have a wonderful Chanukah/Christmas/Kwanzaa! ❄️

Thank you for reading. If you have any comments, feedback, or would like to be featured in an upcoming issue, hit reply and drop me a line. Have a great month ahead,

Explore More

Getting Ruthless ... in the closet. Or rather, getting into the mindset needed for a pretty tactical wardrobe clear-out. Read more

A Wee Feng Shui Excursion Five feng shui items that work nicely in a minimalist household. Nope, no waving cats in this roundup. Read more

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