Minimalism? (Erin Jean Warde)
I’m hopeful that spending time spiritually exploring minimalism will help me begin to process some of my dread, and figure out some ways of living that will help me toward what I want out of life.
Minimalism?
I asked a question last week to my paid community — would you be interested in receiving a daily Lenten reflection for the season, exploring minimalism since that is my Lenten discipline, or something else?
The answer was unanimous as far as I can tell — minimalism, please.
I’ve been inspired to explore this as a spiritual discipline for a variety of reasons.
Extremely practical reasons: I would like less things in my home, I would like my home to feel more organized, I would like to save money.
Spiritual reasons: I genuinely believe I can survive on a lot less, I’m trying to figure out more and more ways to resist capitalism, I think simplicity is spiritually freeing.
It’s also not lost on me that there is a recovery connection too, because what do we get when we hit “buy it now” on our impluse buys? Dopamine, of course.
Personally, I have been feeling the tremendous burden of existential dread over inflation, the housing crisis, etc. lately (to name only a few of many sources of dread). The thing is, I don’t *think* I want much out of life. I’d like a small house, a yard, enough money to pay all my bills and eat, health insurance, enough money to rest and occasionally travel purely for fun, the resources necessary to give my cats good long lives (as God wills it), a paid off car, freedom to go on retreats and engage in trainings to enhance my vocation, and enough discretionary income to do things like go out to eat with my friends and buy small purchases that simply bring me joy. I currently feel like I don’t have any of these things (and some things I just actually do not have — it’s not a feeling), hence the existential dread.
I’m hopeful that spending time spiritually exploring minimalism will help me begin to process some of my dread, and maybe even figure out some ways of living that will help me toward what I want out of my life. I’m intrigued to see how this goes.
If you’d like to follow along, you can join us in the paid community. If money is a barrier to you, I know that feeling personally, and I would love to gift you a 6 month free membership — just reply to this email!
I’m grateful for each of you and consider y’all the riches of my life. <3
Love y’all,
EJW
Spiritual Healing with Joy and Purpose — February 10, 2024 (St. James & the Urban Well — Lancaster, PA) — NEXT WEEKEND! <3
I’m so excited to return to Saint James & the Urban Well — I visited last year and love these sweet people!
This Saturday retreat will bring a fresh focus on recovery and healing accessed through prayer and rest. It will address issues we all face at times: feeling weighed down or discouraged, anxiety, despair, and even depression which can lead to unhealthy habits and choices. The day will explore attitudes and barriers to accessing joy and the power of meditation, prayer and other contemplative practices in our own healing.
This is available in person and on Zoom! Sign up today!
Use Discerning Sobriety Course for Lent
If you observe Lent, consider being guided by my course — Discerning Sobriety — for this season. You will get an email every day for 40 days, based on when you sign up.
Maybe you want to give up alcohol for Lent — this course offers insight as you take a break from alcohol for spiritual reasons.
Maybe your Lenten discipline is just to bring mindfulness into your relationship with alcohol — this course is a great way to do that!
Maybe you have a group who wants to give alcohol up for Lent together or explore mindfulness around alcohol together — reach out and let’s discuss group rates!
If this course feels financially impossible for you right now, please respond to this email and we will figure it out. <3