Five minimal items to embrace simplicity.

It's Sunday morning, and I'm curled up on the couch with my daughter; recovering from wisdom tooth surgery, and reading a little book she's brought over to me that I didn't even know we had.

50 things everyone should learn how to master.

A highly subjective but entirely indispensable guide to being a more useful human.

Subjective is certainly the operative word, but it did make me think it would be quite fun to take that list and use it as social media fodder for 'The Gram', my blog, and maybe a video.

And perhaps I could change the angle, somewhat. Perhaps it's not so much about being a useful human, maybe it's about being a more present, peaceful human.

Maybe it's about taking ordinary tasks and turning them into opportunities to touch peace, enjoy simplicity, and wake up a little to the natural world.

As I went through the list, I came up with a short list of my own that compliments my minimal journey. For me, it's not about trying to adhere to a certain number of items just so I can be part of the latest hashtag movement; I want to find meaning in the ordinary. To finish what I start. To enjoy the entire process.

I have a hard time sticking to the things I start. I get big ideas with comparable excitement, but I find completion very difficult. Even this blog post - I had intended to rewrite all 50 things from the original list!

Instead, I'm learning that in order to finish what I start, I might just need to simplify.

So here are five minimal items that bring great value to my lifestyle.

1. A dress to impress.

When trying to distill formal clothing down to a select few pieces, in other words, not owning 5 black cocktail dresses, or ten dress shirts, perhaps imagine you are standing at a table and about to lift a glass to someone you love dearly. What do you see yourself wearing?

For me, it's a grey wool dress I've had for about 12 years, or more. It was a gift from my partner on our trip to London, so it serves as a functional souvenir, with a lot of sentimentality attached. Below are different ways to wear it to transcend different occasions.

2. A fountain pen and ink

I cannot stress enough how very much it pains me to see people using AI to replace communication with others.

It makes me wonder about the future, and whether our children will be taught how to hold a pen correctly, let alone enjoy the act of putting thoughts onto a page, and experiencing the way letters wrap around concepts and extract feelings. It's something I wouldn't wish anyone to miss out on.

Nor would I wish anyone to forget the difference it makes to know that someone sat there, with a pen and paper, and took the time to write with another in mind; than someone furiously typing unfinished thoughts into a generator and then copying and pasting robotic interpretations.

I mean which would you prefer to receive? I know my answer.

Invest in a refillable fountain pen. Get picky about notebooks and the quality of paper. Respect your ideas enough, and your thoughts and feelings, to place them thoughtfully on paper. No scraps. No loose sheets floating around.

Once you've found your perfect match, you'll never look at another Bic pen again. My goal is to have a single pen, a single mechanical pencil, and a beautiful leather case for them. A minimal stationary collection selected with care could well be the last one you ever need to buy.

3. A cardholder

One of the best things I purchased in 2023 was a leather card holder. I had a single zippered purse that came with a bag where all my cards were, but in order to get the correct card for the occasion, I had to take everything out in a single stack and sift through them.

I then had a large wallet that was gifted to me, and though beautiful, it took up so much real estate that I couldn't warrant taking it around me with. I only have 5 cards, and I don't carry cash or collect receipts.

This has been the most essential piece of minimalism that has literally changed my daily experience of public transport, purchases, and identification. It fits in every pocket, every internal bag compartment, and every single card is shown at a glance.

4. A cashmere comb

At the Plum village monastery, they practise folding clothing in a way that cultivates deep awareness, peace and gratitude for what they own. I resonate with that very much.

One of the most minimal tools I own is this little cashmere comb, which keeps my sweaters looking nearly new, year after year.

5. A leather pouch

Nothing undoes great planning and preparation like being unable to find what you're looking for in your bag.

A zippered pouch for the small things that would otherwise rattle around is yet another incredibly simply solution.

I keep things to a minimum in my bag anyway, but I do like to carry SPF, something for my lips, a charging cable and a few other things; and this little bag keeps everything together.