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Dan Erickson

Japanese Minimalism

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Japanese minimalism is a traditional form of living that has influenced the world. It’s not just about decluttering, it’s about finding beauty in simplicity. The Japanese have practiced minimalism for centuries. It’s deeply rooted in their culture and traditions. From the way they design their homes to the way they fold their clothes, everything is done with intention and purpose.

Scandinavian Minimalism: A Comprehensive Guide

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Scandinavian minimalism is more than just a design trend. It’s a lifestyle that embraces simplicity, functionality, and a connection to the natural world. Rooted in the Nordic countries of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, this design philosophy is characterized by clean lines, neutral colors, and an emphasis on comfort and coziness

12 Simple Ways To Effectively Declutter Your Home

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Embark on a transformative journey to declutter your home with Hip Diggs' comprehensive guide. Discover 12 actionable steps to create a serene, clutter-free environment, and delve into the profound benefits of a decluttered space. From understanding the importance of decluttering to mastering the art of letting go, this article is your ultimate roadmap

The Role of Minimalism in Animated Films

Animation is a powerful medium, capable of bringing to life complex narratives and emotions. One approach that has significantly influenced this field is minimalism, a philosophy that emphasizes simplicity and the elimination of excess. This article will delve into the…

Being Minimalist

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What does it mean to be minimalist? That’s a good question. I’d guess that many people who consider themselves minimalists would not consider me a minimalist. That’s okay. I know what being minimalist means to me. Photo by Dan Erickson…

Lost In The Luxury Of Linens

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Everybody loves soft fluffy pillows. Who doesn’t love warm cozy blankets and comforters and fine sheets? It feels so good to lay down on a soft bed and get lost in comfort. Sorry to wake you up from your dreams,…

10 Minimalist Strategies To Live By

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If you’ve lived like an average American, you’ve probably always had more than you’ve needed. I’ve purposefully tried to keep my life simple. I spent years without a car. I lived in trailers and studio apartments throughout my twenties and…

14 Simple Foods For Better Health

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If you’re like me and most Americans, you struggle with your diet. I’ve been doing better as I get older. I still have my weaknesses. But I stock 14 simple foods for better health in my kitchen. Do you? Photo…

5 Ways To Stop Being Too Busy

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To keep our lives and homes in order we need to make time for each other. Communication is a big part of keeping our home life simple. If you want a happy home, don’t be too busy for those around…

Do Less: Say No More Often

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As we gain more influence we’re asked to do more. At first it might seem like saying yes is best. We believe that doing more will increase our influence. It’s knowing when to say yes that’s important. Sometimes it’s better to…

5 Reasons To Relax: Inhale Exhale Repeat

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Sometimes life gets busy. When life gets busy we often overlook a basic essential: breathing. We go on autopilot and our breath becomes shallow. It’s better to have focused breathing: Inhale. Exhale. Repeat. Relax. Photo Credit Have you ever listened…

Clean Space Creates A Relaxing Place

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When we keep our surroundings free of clutter, we create a relaxing atmosphere. It only takes a few minutes each day. Take a moment to neaten your surroundings. A clean space creates a calm place. Photo Credit Something wonderful happens…

Boom! How To Write Dynamite Blog Posts

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Do you like Hip Diggs’ blog posts? If you do, I’m going to let you in on a little secret. It’s all about keeping things simple. Boom! The more simple you keep your writing, the easier it is to connect…

Growth: My Personal Perspective

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Growth. Sometimes it’s easy to lose perspective. We get so caught up in self-improvement and productivity that we lose perspective of what really matters. So what does really matter? Growth. I’m not talking about growth in numbers or dollars. I’m…

Happiness Is A Free Book With No Signup

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Finding simple happiness is easy. This free little book can help you learn how to find happiness through simple living. The Happiness of Simple Making Connections Between Happiness, Simplicity, and Productivity I invite you to read this free book. There…

The Success Of Thankfulness

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With Thanksgiving right around the corner, many of us begin to consider the things that we’re thankful for. What are you thankful for? If we’re honest with ourselves, the people in our lives and the simple pleasures are what bring…

7 Reasons To Keep Walking For Exercise

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How many times have you started an exercise program only to quit? How many gyms have you signed up for only to cancel your membership due to inactivity? You’re not alone. Millions of people get started on an exercise program…

21 Ways That Less Is Really More

You’ve heard the phrase, “less is more.” What does it really mean? It’s simple. Less is more. Today, I’ll show you 21 ways that less is really more.  It’s Not Just Lip Service: Less Is Really More 1. Less home…

Simplify: For A Life Less Distracted

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 Today’s post is a guest post by Carl Phillips. Distractions surround us, a constant tension in our day.  Some distractions are obvious, some are subtle.  Some are new to us, others are old foes. Dealing with distractions, in a world…

Hip Diggs Top 10 Posts Of 2014

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Hip Diggs is a relatively new site. Although the site officially started in January, 2014, it wasn’t until October, 2014, that we found our new look and feel. I wasn’t going to do a “best of” post, but it’s been…

Presence Is My Forever Gift To You

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The Beatle’s once sang, “Get back. Get back. Get back to where you once belonged.” Just one question: Where is that? It seems everyone is looking for answers in the past or the future. I look for answers in presence. To…

Give The Simple Gift Of Happiness

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I’ve got a gift to give you. You can pass it on. It’s free. Recently, I wrote a book called, The Happiness of Simple: Making Connections Between Happiness, Simplicity & Productivity.  Photo Credit The book teaches you an awesome secret. When you…

How Reading Books Changed My Life

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You’ve heard that reading makes you smarter. You’ve heard that reading improves your memory. If you’re a writer, you’ve been told that reading makes you a better writer. These things are all true. But there’s more. Photo Caption I used…

9 Minimalist Hobbies For Everyday People

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I didn’t just wake up one day and decide to become a minimalist. It’s been a lifelong journey. Along the way, I’ve found several hobbies that fit the minimalist lifestyle. Minimalist hobbies are everyday hobbies. You don’t have to practice…

Have Yourself A Simple Little Christmas

Hip Diggs wishes you a simple little Christmas. Don’t make things too complicated You know what’s really important: it’s time with family and friends. Don’t complicate Christmas with too much travel or food. Don’t overdo the decorations and presents. Have…

Finding Peace Between The Extremes

Sometimes I find myself questioning my own sincerity in regard to minimalism. I feel like I don’t quite live up to the label. When I read posts from other minimalists, I know I own more stuff than many of them…

Find Freedom Through Goal Setting

The year’s more than half way over. How are you doing on reaching your goals? Have you uncluttered? Have you downsized? Have you lost weight? Have you found more freedom? If you haven’t reached your own expectations, it’s never too…

Stop Dreaming And Start Doing Today

Today’s post is another short excerpt from my free ebook, Get Back To Where You Are: Finding Yourself In The Present Moment. In order to live more simply and become more productive, we need to stop dreaming and start doing. Dreams…

What Is A Moderate Minimalist?

For all intents and purposes, I’m a minimalist. I aspire to live with less stuff so that I can find more freedom. But I’m also practical. You might say that… I’m A Moderate Minimalist I don’t live in a tiny…

Why I Write About Writing At Hip Diggs

Hip Diggs is a blog about simple living and minimalism. You’d expect posts about getting rid of clutter, buying less stuff, and and living in smaller homes. Why then, write about writing? In this article The Short Answer: I’m A…

All Things Within Reason: A Poem

Occasionally, I like to include a bit of my poetry at Hip Diggs. Today, I share a poem that includes some of my thoughts and feelings about minimalism and finding the balance within extremes.  Photo by Dan Erickson All Things…

The Waiting and the Purging

The inspection is completed. We’ve negotiated a price. The appraisal is done. A new apartment is secured. Now it’s a waiting game. But there are still plenty of things to do. As Tom Petty once said, “the waiting is the…

The Simple Gift Of A Shaker Hymn

Today’s post is a guest post by Jackson Pryor. Freedom is a gift, a blessing even. I can only speak for myself when I say that living more simply has felt like a massive weight being lifted from cramped shoulders…

Taking Minimalist Photos

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I love taking minimalist photos. There are many ways to create minimalist art. Today, I’d like to focus on close-up photos of objects and surfaces. It’s surprising how these kinds of photos can capture an abstract minimalist look. Photo by…

Change Is Slow: Stop Stressing Out

At the beginning of the year I said that my biggest goal was to reduce stress. How’s that going? Okay, although it could always be better. One reason we tend to feel stress is that we want things to change. We…

How Minimalism Opens Space For God

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Letting go of material belongings creates space for God. Clearing your life of excess creates space for God. Reducing your schedule of busyness creates space for God. Minimalism opens space for God. If you believe in God, perhaps you should…

Sold: Half Of My Musical Instruments

I’m passionate about making music. I’m a singer-songwriter and I play a bunch of instruments. I love music. Still, I’ve sold nearly half my musical stuff this year. Today, I’ll explain why.  First, I’ve got to be honest. I didn’t…

4 Reasons To Simplify Your Social Media

Do you spend too much time on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram? Everybody has to make decisions about how they use social media. Most bloggers share posts via social media. How many social media platforms should you use? There are so…

Slow Blogging And Simple Living

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One way of sticking to your goals is to write about the journey. I believe we should write or blog regularly. I think it’s key to making positive changes in our lives. As a minimalist, I think we should do…

6 Ways To Simplify The Holidays

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The holiday season is almost here. You’ve probably noticed that most major department stores already have their Christmas items on display. That’s no accident. Each year it seems like they push Christmas on us a little earlier. They want you…

Discover The Value Of White Space

Understanding the concepts of simple living lends itself well to many areas of our lives. Take writing, for instance, choosing the right words is important. We need to be specific and accurate. The spaces we leave matter, too. White space…

Visualize Less To Reach A Place Of More

Have you ever visualized yourself living in a small, simple, minimally furnished home? I sure have. And when I visualize living with less stuff, I begin to slowly get rid of things.  Visualization is another strategy to help you reach…

Unownership

Do you struggle with clutter? Is it hard for you to let things go? I used to hold on to much more than I really needed, but I discovered a secret to simple living: Unownership. In this article What Is…

Two Questions About Getting Back To Basics

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We’ve been convinced that our basic needs include a plethora of conveniences. Think about your basic needs for a minute. Most of the things you consider needs today didn’t even exist 150 years ago. Let’s rethink basic. Today’s post is…

4 Types Of Toxic People To Avoid

What do toxic people have to do with slimming your schedule? More than might first meet the eye. Toxic people cause problems that eat up your time. Don’t get me wrong, I love people. But if someone proves themselves to…

5 Ways To Tame The Savage Beast Of Want

Can you tame want? Over the years, I’ve bought many things that I don’t really need. I’m sure most of you have, too. After all, many of us have been raised in an instant-gratification culture. We’re constantly bombarded with visions…

Surviving the Home Inspection

When you sell your house, chances are high that the buyer will be getting a home inspection. After all, a bank doesn’t want to loan money for a house that is in complete disrepair. I’ve made a lot of updates…

Stop Rushing: 7 Ways To Slow Your Schedule

Does it feel like you’re always rushing? Are meetings, appointments, commitments and family responsibilities becoming too much to juggle? Stop rushing. Rushing leads to stress. Stress can lead to health problems. There are many ways to slow down, but you…

9 Reasons To Stop Collecting Stuff

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Many of us start a collection at some point in life. It starts when you’re a kid: marbles, dolls, sports cards. For some, it becomes a problem as an adult. Starting a collection might seem like a good hobby, but…

Something Beyond Our Own Understanding

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Since focusing on primarily writing over at my other blog, danerickson.net, I’ve been continuing to write a bunch of new minimalist music under the name Anderhill. It was my hope that the traffic at my Dan Erickson blog would increase…

Slow Changes Coming To Hip Diggs

If you follow my Facebook Page, you may have noticed some posts about changes coming to Hip Diggs. If you don’t follow the Facebook Page, I’ll fill you in now. I recently changed the name of my Facebook Page from…

10 Strategies To Simplify Your Life

Does life seem too complicated? Would you like to simplify your life? There are many ways to get started at making life easier. It all starts with you. Learn 10 strategies to simplify your life, exclusively at Hip Diggs. In…

Simple Is As Simple Does

When I was younger I had great expectations and dreams. I wanted to be a rock and roll star. I envisioned fancy mansions, cars, lots of exotic travel, and millions of dollars in the bank. It took awhile to get…

5 Simple Steps To Reduce Clutter

The first thing you need to decide is simple: what is you acceptable level of clutter? Many minimalists like zero clutter. I think that’s too high a bar. A little clutter is not a bad thing. Let’s be realistic. Nobody…

The Problem With Rearranging Our Stuff

I’ve always been one to like change and variety. So once in awhile I’ll rearrange things in my home. Moving furniture can make your place feel fresh and new. Or repurposing a space can add variety. But rearranging stuff can…

Numbers: A Musical Journey In Simplicity

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I’m excited about my latest music project, Numbers. I don’t usually post much about my creative work at Hip Diggs. I save that work for my other blog, The Creative Side. But the Numbers project is different. I recently completed a 12-song…

Nothing Or Everything?

Occasionally, I like to write a creative piece at Hip Diggs. If you’ve been over to my personal blog at www.danerickson.net, you know I write fiction, poetry, and music. Today’s post is a poem contemplating two extremes: Nothing Or Everything?…

Lasting Change Is Within Your Grasp

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Do you desire lasting change? Have you tried to declutter only to find yourself buried in stuff? Have you tried to lose weight only to bounce back to being overweight? Have you made plans to change that did not come…

Joy Doesn’t Come From Things

Today’s post is a guest post by Karen Trefzger. Asking “Does it spark joy?” may not help you with your clutter problem. Joshua Becker, who blogs at becomingminimalist has described how he became a minimalist about ten years ago.  While wasting a beautiful…

How To Downsize For Life

Decluttering and downsizing are not quick fixes. Becoming a minimalist overnight isn’t very practical. I look at minimalism as a longterm plan. I’m figuring out how to downsize for life as I go. With a little work, you can, too.…

The Disciplined Art Of Less

Do you keep a schedule? Are you able to get done what you want to get done? Being disciplined is an art. It’s something we have to plan. That disciplined art starts with less. I’m quick to admit that I…

The Dichotomy Of Blogging About Minimalism

I’ve been blogging about simple living and minimalism for a few years now. It’s something I’m passionate about. My blog has become a personal journey and an exercise in writing. That’s all good stuff. But there’s a dichotomy involved in…

5 Active Cures For Writer’s Block

I write. Do you? Hip Diggs isn’t a blog about writing, but since writing is something I do, I like to include an occasional post about writing or blogging. If you get writer’s block, I have an easy cure. Writer’s…

All Packed up and Nowhere to Go

I’ve been getting my house prepped for selling. Honestly, it’s still my intention to sell my house. Yet, I’m hesitating. Today, I’ll explain why: Currently, the real estate market in my town, Yakima Washington, is hot. I’m not sure why,…

8 Books Written By Dan Erickson

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Earlier this year I started adding more posts about minimalism in photography, landscape, and music at Hip Diggs. I’ve even mixed in some of my own creative works to offer you more variety. Today, I’d like to offer you descriptions…

A Minimalist View On The Value Of Time

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As a minimalist, I’m wrestling with the problem of time. How does time fit into the minimalist equation? Time is not the same as minimalist art or minimalism in architecture. Simple living does something amazing. It opens up more time…

Shep: My Dog The Minimalist

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We can learn a lot from our canine friends. I’ve learned a lot from my dog, Shep. I’ve learned about loyalty. I’ve learned about determination. I’ve learned about minimalism. My simple dog Shep has taught me a few things. Dogs…

5 Reasons To Plant A Garden At Home

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When I was a kid, I worked on a farm. Part of my experience included planting and maintaining vegetable gardens. This past spring I did something I haven’t done for many years. I planted a garden at home. I found…

12 Months To Live Simple

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It might seem like an odd time to start talking about the new year, but that’s exactly what I’m going to do. Not next year, but the year after that. In the future, I’ll be inviting you to join me…

International Minimalism: Just A Little Less

The majority of Hip Diggs’ visitors come from the United States, but I’ve noticed an international trend toward minimalism, too. About 10-20% of my visitors come from England, Australia, Canada, and many European countries. In fact, a few months ago,…

In All Things Be Thankful

If you’ve ever followed my other blog, www.danerickson.net, you know that I write in many genres. I write fiction, poetry, lyrics, and more. So today, as the final post to a 20-post series, I thought I’d finish up with a…

Free Hip Diggs App At iTunes

A few weeks ago I got an email that got me so excited I had to read it twice. “I’d like to create an iPhone app for Hip Diggs,” were the words written on my screen. Wow! I was excited.…

Focus: The Power Of One Thing At A Time

There’s a reason some people accomplish more than others. It’s simple: ultra-productive people have learned the ability to focus on one thing at a time. They understand how to channel their energy into whatever project they’re currently working on. Get…

Enough

It’s not about who can get rid of the most stuff. It’s not about living with less to find happiness. It’s not about living in the tiniest house. It’s about knowing the value of enough. If you follow minimalist blogs,…

Empathy: We All Walk A Different Path

One reason I sometimes dislike labels, like liberal, conservative, and even minimalist and traditional, is that they separate. They divide. Whenever we create division, we forget to consider others’ paths. Everyone has had their own struggles. Labels lead to having…

5 Ways Writers Can Embrace Imperfection

Do you get frustrated when you don’t meet your own expectations? Do you aim for perfection? Writers often face writer’s block because they aim too high. They expect too much. Don’t. When we embrace imperfection, we get one step closer…

Digitize Your Collections And Save Space

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Hip Diggs promotes listening to music and reading books. They’re both creative and intelligent ways to spend your time. But rather than owning stacks of books and hundreds of CDs, you could digitize your collections. I used to own nearly…

5 Daily Tasks To Keep Your Home Uncluttered

If your house gets cluttered quickly, there’s an easy solution. It’s not hard and it only takes a few minutes a day. It’s simply making sure to complete some simple daily tasks. Photo by Deccio Creative The photo above is…

Conversation Is Coming To Hip Diggs

In order to get more people thinking about simple living and minimalism, we need to keep the conversation going. Starting in January, 2016, the conversation is coming to Hip Diggs. You might wonder why I’ve had the comments closed at…

Container Homes: Do They Really Make Sense?

If you like tiny houses, you’ve probably seen homes made out of shipping containers. It seems like a pretty cool idea. And some of the container homes I’ve seen are works of art. But do container homes really make sense?…

My Only Christmas Post This Year

Many bloggers write holiday posts. I’m no exception. I usually write several posts each year about keeping Christmas simple. This year, I’m not going to focus on simplifying Christmas. Read on to find out why. Of course I believe we…

8 Ways To Be More Authentic

We all know people who intentionally live life to the fullest. They’re authentic. They’re not afraid to speak their mind. They’re not afraid to take chances. They have the courage to be the person they truly want to be. You…

A New Diagnosis On Life: It’s In My Blood

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We hear the term, “It runs in his blood,” all the time. Whether we’re talking of sports, music, success, or intelligence, people say, “it runs in the blood.” Sometimes other things can run in the blood, too. Recently, I was diagnosed…

5 Reasons To Start A Self-Hosted Blog

Starting a blog is exciting. Owning your blog is even more exciting. There are different ways to start a blog. Some blogs are free. Some blogs will cost you a small amount to start and maintain. They’re called self-hosted blogs.…

4 Ways Gratitude Makes Life More Simple

It’s the time of the year when we celebrate thankfulness. We’ve been told throughout our lives that having gratitude is important. It is. It can also make life easier. Today, I discuss 4 ways gratitude makes life more simple. I’ll…

25 Reasons To Stop Fearing Change

We often fear change. But we shouldn’t. Taking chances and facing change head on will make you a stronger and more open-minded person. These 25 reasons to stop fearing change are geared to help you see the positive side of…

21 Reasons To Stop Fearing The Unknown

Have you ever chickened out on something you really wanted to do? Were you afraid of unknown outcomes? I think most everybody has decided against something due to fear. But you might miss out on a great opportunity.  I didn’t…

14 Years Later: My Old Filson Coat

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In 2005, shortly after my daughter was born, I decided to buy myself a nice coat. I drove to the Filson flagship store in Seattle and bought a Weekender. 14 years later it’s still going strong. But it was starting…

10 Beautiful Outcomes To Living Simply

Simple living has it’s rewards. So rather than pushing rules on you and suggesting that you declutter and get rid of stuff, today I’ll just share 10 beautiful outcomes. When we make intentional choices to live simply, there are some…

The Problem Of Drift

As one who practices simple living, I’ve discovered that the need to feel in control of our lives is our biggest barrier to finding happiness and success. When we let go, we break that barrier. If we accept that we cannot…

5 Promises To Practice What I Preach

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There are a lot of people blogging about minimalism these days. That’s good. I hope they’re all making strides to live with less. I’ve been practicing simple living the majority of my life. Part of living simple includes blogging simple.…

6 Ways To Cut Up Credit Cards

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I’ve stayed away from money posts for a reason. I’m in debt. I’m no different than most Americans, but I’ve made some changes to beat the odds. I stopped using credit cards. In this post, I encourage you to cut…

7 Steps To A Simple Calendar

Why a simple calendar? Because it’s nice to be able to relax at home. It’s good to have more time for your loved ones and friends. It’s great to be able to be more productive. A simple calendar will free…

Personal Touch: Opening The Door To My Home

I’ve been blogging about minimalism and simple living for nearly three years. I’ve told you about my life and how I try to keep things simple. Now I’m going to start showing you, too. Starting today, I’ll be adding more…

One Big Payoff For Practicing Minimalism

We’ve spent the last six weeks talking about how we can practice minimalism. It’s time to talk more about the payoffs. There are many payoffs: time, money, space. Today, we’ll discuss one big payoff of minimalism. Minimalism and simple living…

Minimalist Music

Over the years I’ve come to appreciate music that has a starkness about it; music that feels like wide open spaces. Minimalist music. Today, I’ll share a few of my favorite musicians, and a little of my own music. I’ve…

Minimalist Blogging: 8 Simple Tools

There are some articles on the Internet that claim minimalism is only for the affluent. I disagree. Minimalism is simple. Do less. Keep less. Live frugal. Minimalist blogging is being intentional and specific about your blogging choices. In this article Minimalist Blogging Is…

I’m Going Minimalist Baby!

If you’re a minimalist without kids and you’re thinking about having kids, there’s something you should know. It’s hard to remain a minimalist with children in the mix. Kids take space. Kids have needs. Kids see what all their friends…

How Popular Ideas Keep Us Stuck In A Loop

I’m a musician. Lately, I’ve been doing some recording on a digital audio workstation. Think GarageBand. Somedays, I find myself stuck, playing and listening to the same eight measures over and over. It’s a loop. There’s a danger in loops.…

Jesus Was Not a Minimalist

I’ve heard and seen people claim that Jesus was a minimalist. But the plain and simple truth is that Jesus was never a minimalist, nor would he ever be one. Why? Because minimalism is of this world. The argument goes…

5 Reasons To Stop Pushing Halloween On Kids

I’m not a Jehovah’s Witness, but sometimes I think they’re onto something in regard to not celebrating holidays. They’ve managed to escape the over-commercialism that holidays bring. It puts the focus on relationships instead of stuff. If there’s one holiday…

How To Deal With A Great Loss

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Have you ever suffered a great loss? Most people have at some point in their lives. You may have lost the perfect job, a big investment, or even a loved one. How do you respond? What do you do? There…

5 Good Reasons To Get Up Early

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Contrary to what some might believe, living simple does not mean living lazy. Most of us who seek more simplicity in our lives are doing so out of a desire to be happier, healthier, and more productive. A big part…

Why Worry Is A Waste Of Time

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Have you ever struggled with worry? It can be overwhelming. Worry is like rocking in a rocking chair to get to your destination. It doesn’t work. No matter how fast you rock, you stay in one place. We can begin…

America: Addicted To Fast Food And Sugar

I’m guilty. Although I’ve tried to eat healthy for the past several years, I still eat fast food on occasion. I live in America. There’s a fast-food joint on every other corner. When you’re busy, it’s so easy to stop…

7 Favorite Books On Simple Living

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Reading has been an essential part of my quest to live more simply. Great writers can tell stories and paint pictures that stay with us for a lifetime. When I went back to college in my 30s, I started reading…

5 Simple And Free Ways To Stay Active

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Although I like to exercise regularly, I don’t use a club or create an expensive routine to stay active. There are many things you can do to stay in shape without spending extra money on memberships or equipment. I’ve tried…

5 Benefits Of Taking A Power Nap

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When I was in college, I was a regular napper. I’d find a quiet corner in the library between classes and take a 20-minute power nap. It did wonders. I woke up refreshed and ready to focus on my next…

12 Days To A Simple Christmas

It’s getting to be that time of the year again: Christmas. I love the holiday season, but I don’t love the chaos and clutter that can come with it. This year I’m going to intentionally use the 12 days leading…

The Problem Of Trying Too Hard

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We all seek happiness. No one sets out to live a miserable life. The problem begins when you falsely believe that happiness comes from something outside of yourself. Today’s post is a short excerpt from my free ebook, The Happiness…

Minimalism Makes More Time For Love

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This is another one of those topics that makes me nervous to write about. Just like finances, my track record isn’t the best in this area. I’m currently divorced without an intimate romantic partnership on the horizon. What do I…

50 Ways To Make Life More Simple

Simple living is in the little things that we do and choose not to do. We make choices each day. Those choices can make our lives more simple or they can add complexity. I choose to simplify. Today’s post includes…

Second Call For Guest Writers

A few weeks ago, I opened Hip Diggs up to guest writers. I’ve received a few submissions, but it might not be enough to keep things running into 2019.  Part of me would really like to keep Hip Diggs going.…

My Seasons Of Discontent

I might write about a variety of topics that make it seem like I have it all together. But there’s something I don’t talk about much on the blog. I go through my seasons of discontent. Have you ever felt…

A Clean Slate Leads To Productivity

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Minimalism does not equate to doing nothing. Living more simply and keeping your space free of clutter and distraction leads to a clean slate. A clean slate allows you to create. Creativity leads to productivity. The secret to productivity is…

New Music: The Minimalist Mixtape 2

I’ve spent the last few weeks finishing up another music project. It’s my pleasure to introduce The Minimalist Mixtape 2. The project includes 12 new electronic tracks. In early 2017, I released The Minimalist Mixtape, my debut album of all-electronic minimalist…

More Minimalist Music from Anderhill

I shared this over at my main blog, www.danerickson.net, a couple of weeks ago. I wanted to make sure to give more of my audience the chance to hear my latest electronic music. Simple living and success don’t always feel synonymous,…

Less

Photo by Dan Erickson Occasionally, I write a poem at Hip Diggs. Today, the poem is more of a parable. I’m a creative writer at heart. In fact, it’s my belief that minimalism and creativity work well together. By having less…

Introducing Anderhill Music

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As we roll into another year, I’m moving forward with music. I’ve recently developed a new moniker for my electronic musical compositions. Introducing Anderhill. Photo Credit You might wonder why Anderhill? It’s simple. First I used letters from my own…

How To Increase Your Intelligence Today

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If you want to increase your intelligence, you could go to college. But there’s something else you can do. You can read books. Reading not only increases your intelligence, it also helps you gain new skills. Let’s study some benefits…

How To Become A Minimalist

So you’ve heard about this thing called minimalism and you’ve decided you want to become a minimalist. I’ve got good news for you. I can teach you how to become a minimalist. But first, we need to discuss what minimalism…

How Limits Can Make Your Christmas Happier

Today’s post is a guest post by Karen Trefzger. Limits Make Christmas Happier This may sound impossible, but putting some limits on Christmas gifts and activities just might make you happier. Limits help create financial peace of mind, curb consumerism in your children, give…

Hip Diggs Top 20 Posts Of 2015

Each year at Hip Diggs, I like to review the top posts of the year. This year is unique because I wasn’t counting for most of the year. I spent most of the year focusing on writing great content. Last…

Downshifting

This is it. It’s my last regular post at Hip Diggs. That might take some of you by surprise. But if you’ve been paying attention, you probably knew it was coming. I’m downshifting.  Over the past year, I’ve been recreating…

A Christmas Wish From Hip Diggs

My Christmas wish to you is simple. I wish you peace, joy, and simplicity. If you’re working too hard, running too fast or feeling overwhelmed, I wish you peace, joy, and simplicity. If you’re buried in clutter, I wish you…

6 Arguments For Keeping Your Blog Simple

You’ve seen them. Blogs that are cluttered. Blogs with too many annoying popups. Blogs with complex writing. If you practice simple living and you’re a blogger, this post is for you. Don’t clutter the Internet. Blog simple.  What Is At…

Applying The Ten Commandments To Minimalism

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Most of us have heard The Ten Commandments. Today’s post is twist on those commandments: Applying The Ten Commandments to minimalism. Whether you’re just starting on your minimalist journey or you’re a hardcore minimalist, I hope this list helps you…

Light For The Journey Before You

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For some, this is not a happy season. You may have suffered a recent loss. You may be overwhelmed with the busyness of it all. Whatever the reason, if you’re struggling through the holidays, you’re not alone. Many people do.…

Experience Happiness By Letting Go

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We experience happiness not through what we have, but by what we do. When we let go of expectations of outcomes we experience happiness on a much higher level. Let go of your expectations of happiness. You’ll find happiness in…

5 Steps To Starting A Running Routine

I’m an avid walker. Most weeks, I walk anywhere from 15-25 miles. I’ve also done some running over the years. Earlier this year I decided to start running again. I’d like to encourage you to start running. Learn how in…

Inner Clutter, Outer Clutter

Have you ever gone shopping to relieve depression, anxiety, or boredom? There’s a connection between your inner clutter and your outer clutter. It’s sort of like the old term “garbage in, garbage out.” Our pent-up stress and emotions can lead…

Organize, Organize, Organize

I get tired of minimalists who tell me to stop organizing and just keep getting rid of my stuff. They act as if we should have such a small amount of stuff that we should never have to organize anything.…