What I Want

Here is what I want in life, in a nutshell. I could probably tweak the list a bit, but overall, this is it.



Wholesome food

A warm, dry dwelling

A bicycle (and helmet)

Clothes to keep me comfortable in all seasons

At least one good friend

My health

A big garden

Kitchen supplies to make whatever food I enjoy

Basic tools



Bonus things that I enjoy, but could live without if I had to: guitar, art supplies, snowshoes, simple furniture, a computer, camera, and chocolate.

It always amazes me when people want more than the basics, more than enough. Once one has enough, what is the more for? Why expend so much effort to get more than one needs?

Considering there are still about 700 million people on the planet living in extreme poverty, it seems that having just enough to live a simple life is something to be very grateful for. 

So that is what I want. What else? Nothing.

Keeping my wants in check allows me to have what I want most of all - a lasting peace of mind, an unhurried simple life, and a liveable planet.

5 Therapies More Effective Than Retail Therapy

Note to self.

Retail Therapy Patient: "Hey, I bought something!" 

Minimalist: "And?" 

Patient: "And now I'm happy." 

Minimalist: "Are you really?"

Patient: "Actually, I'm not feeling as happy as I was when I first bought it." 

Minimalist: "That is because that kind of happiness is temporary at best." 

Patient: "Oh, now I am sad and I have buyer's remorse." 

A while later - "I bought something else, and now I'm happy again. Oh, hold on..."

Minimalist: "Argh. I can help you with that."

Retail Therapy is the act of buying something to make one feel better. It does actually work... for a very brief moment in time. 

The effect quickly wears off, while the credit card balance tends to linger. Buyer's remorse soon sets in. The cycle repeats.

If you are feeling down, here are 5 therapies more effective than buying stuff you don't want or need just to feel better from the initial rush.

Nature Therapy - go for a walk in the park or some other natural area. Sit quietly. Breathe. If you can't do that, look out a window with a view, or look at pictures of nature. They all have lasting benefits for mood improvement.

Conversation Therapy - meet with a good friend and talk about your feelings.

Exercise Therapy - a 30 minute workout does wonders for your state of mind. It does not have to cost anything, and you will be improving your health at the same time. Can be combined with any, or all of the other forms of therapy mentioned here.

Meditation Therapy - sit quietly, and clear your mind for 20 minutes. 

Garden Therapy - gardening is good for every aspect of a person. After a session you not only feel better, but will also have healthy food to eat, which will further improve your mood.

Repeat as necessary. Lasting mood improvement guaranteed, and you don't have to buy anything. No buyer's remorse, no debt.

All You Need Is...

You can learn to be you, it is true, and it can be done with only two ingredients. Two FREE ingredients.


All you need is nature, all you need is nature,

All you need is nature, nature. Nature is all you need.

All you need is nature. (All together now).

All you need is nature. (Everybody).

All you need is nature, nature. Nature is all you need.

Nature is all you need.

Nature is all you need.


Love is vital, but the Beatles failed to include nature in one of their most famous tunes. Nature is the Universe expressing its love for all life.

Sing it. Feel it. Live it. It's free. It's everywhere. Living without nature, like trying to be yourself without love, is an impossible task.

All we need is biophilia.

What Do We Want, Really, Really Want?

You can't buy this in any store for any amount of money.

Life requires that the living consume things. In that regard, humans are consumers, even if we don't shop. When we can't get the things that we need and really want, we transfer our desires and consume other things. Habits set in, and we forget about what it was that we wanted in the first place. A downward spiral ensues.

Look around. Is all this what we really want? Are our homes, garages, basements and storage lockers filled with things that truly make our lives better? Has our record level of consumption created a global society we are proud of? Does our health reflect the health of our institutions and environment?

Maybe what we have been told we should want isn't what we need to be getting.

What do we want? Really, really want? Cheap plastic crap? Packaged holidays? Uninspiring work? Big Brother looking over our shoulder? A giant bank account? I don't think so. These are all pale replacements for our real heart's yearnings.

When we can't get these needs fulfilled, we turn to less attractive alternatives. Addictive substances and situations, like TV, movies, video games, shopping, and competitive travel make us feel something for a while, but like any drug, we develop a tolerance with repeated use.

We need more of the same to get a kick. Pretty soon we need an infinite amount just to feel normal. That is because what we are getting is not what we need, or want deep inside.

What we really, really want is love. We want to have a higher purpose. Humanity wants to feel harmony with each other and with nature. To express ourselves emotionally, creatively and spiritually. To be touched, held, and groomed. To belong to a supportive community. To contribute to the well-being of the world.

That is what I think we really want, and you can't buy that stuff anywhere.

As we are remembering our primal urges, and getting what we really want and need, everything else is changing. The flimsy substitutes have a hold on us no longer. Our habits are changing, and the world is changing with us.