We’re more than halfway through 2022. Wild, right? Here’s your July 2022 recap:
Best Book I Read This Month
Many people think that minimalism is about getting rid of things until you have one lonely chair sitting in your pretty empty home. But what if minimalism was about refining your life to live on purpose? Joshua Becker explores this concept in his books. Because I’ve been reading a lot of Becker’s work, this month is a two-for-one recommendation. Find out more about Becker’s Things That Matter and The More of Less here.
Best Article I Read This Month
Shameless self-promotion here. July played host to Shark Week! I love sharks and I love writing – read the combination of these loves here.
Tip + Trick of the Month
July was all about minimalism on the homefront. Have an overabundance of towels and blankets that have seen better days? Don’t throw them away – take them to your local animal shelter! As someone who has volunteered for two different shelters and has a shelter pup of her own, I can testify that there is always a need for more soft things for dogs and other animals to sleep on.
Quote of the Month
“Often, Christians ask me, ‘How can I love my neighbor without misleading her into thinking I approve of everything she does?’ First, remember that Christians cannot give good answers to bad questions. No one approves of everything that others do. No one. It is a false question. The better question is this: ‘How can my neighbors know that because I live under God’s authority rather than the compulsions of my own selfish desires, their secrets are safe with me?’ The answer is simple: love the sinner and hate your own sin. Or, as Mark says ‘Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another’ (Mark 9:50).”
-Rosaria Butterfield, The Gospel Comes with a House Key
Kelvey’s Thought for the Month
As Americans, we’re conditioned to think that more is better. That is the very heart of consumerism. But what if we start to resist that notion?
I know I have been harping on minimalism throughout this entire monthly update, but I think regardless of how strongly/loosely you hold to such tenets, there is goodness for everyone to find here. As of late in my own life, it has been a freeing resistance to consumerism. Do you know how good it feels to walk through a store and have my brain be thinking about how happy it is to not bring unnecessary items into my home rather than wanting to buy everything?
Something to think about. Hit the comments or the reply button if you have your own thoughts on this and, as always, I’ll catch you next month.
KELVEY OLIVIA VANDER HART 