Stephanie Marie Seferian's Blog, page 3

How To Host A Clothing Swap

Clothing swaps (or toy swaps, or book swaps, or home goods swaps) are a low-stakes way to declutter your closet and acquire new-to-you clothes. These events also happen to be the epitome of of communal care and can fundamentally change how others view secondhand items.

Share resources with your neighbors, reduce waste, and get socializing without exchanging money! On today’s show 4-time clothing swap host Jess Schroeder divulges her pro secrets to hosting a successful swap party.

 

Here’s a prev...

Selective Mediocrity

Our To-Do lists are never-ending, sure. But it’s neither realistic nor fair to assume we can excel in every arena.

Enter selective mediocrity, a.k.a. that conscious choice to let some stuff go.

We simply can’t do it all, and selective mediocrity enables us to give our whole selves to the tasks and goals that really matter. On today’s show: A conversation with Dr. Whitney Casares about *actually* lowering our expectations (not just pretending we lowered them!) and preserving our precious time and...

Rebuilding Your Village

A recent study finds Americans are spending notably more time at home, and it’s not wholly the pandemic’s fault. Thank technology: For the last 20 years Americans have slowly traded their social institutions — like churches and clubs — for isolation.

Have we forgotten how to be social creatures? On today’s show: A conversation with journalist Rosie Spinks about concrete ways to rebuild your proverbial village.

Here’s a preview:

[4:00] Counting the ways in which the pandemic hastened a cultural s...

The Antidote To Hedonic Adaptation

The US hails consumption as a patriotic duty. But refraining from buying isn’t a punishment, and practicing a bit of self-control both resets our hedonistic baseline and re-centers our behaviors around moderation.

It’s paradoxical but true: Imposing temporary limits ultimately sets you free. On today’s show author John Oakes discusses the numerous benefits associated with fasting from food, from spending, and everything in between.

 

Here’s a preview:

[9:00] What do ancient philosophers have to ...

Removing The Mask

The Japanese argue that we each have three faces. The first is your idealized, near-perfect version; it’s also the mask you present to the world. You reveal your second face selectively to very close friends and family, and you keep your third face — your true self — hidden from everyone (including, perhaps, yourself).

Our first mask conveys self-assuredness. Of being happy, put together, and in charge. But beneath our masks, we are messy creatures. We may even be living in deep emotional pain. ...

A Mindful Wardrobe Refresh

Want to be “up to date” with your wardrobe choices? Fashion forwardness understands that the textile industry is incredibly polluting; having your finger on the fashion pulse, then, is about consciously choosing not to participate in trends.

And yet we somehow must dress ourselves. While fast fashion is quite literally made to fall apart, wearing what we wore decades ago isn’t a good look. So what on earth is a sustainable minimalist to do?

On today’s show: How to mindfully refresh your wardrobe...

Ripple Effects

More free time and less stress. Extra money in the bank. While minimalists often report such benefits of the lifestyle over and over, for many of us, it goes deeper. Indeed, a minimalist lifestyle may fundamentally change the way we interact with the world.

As this podcast approaches its 500th episode I find myself curious about the ways in which adopting a minimalist or minimal-ish outlook has altered the ways in which we as community act and think.

On today’s show: A conversation with minimali...

The Problem With Products Marketed To Kids

Just because a product is marketed to babies or kids doesn’t mean it’s safe, and new research published just last week has alarming things to say about the presence of phthalates in personal care products for children.

While minimalists know that excess stuff harms our emotional well-being and mental loads, *sustainable* minimalists understand that products can and do  harm our physical health. On today’s show: Applying the tenets of sustainable minimalism to the hair and skin products our child...

Streamlining Non-Negotiables

Meal planning and prepping, laundry, and taking out the trash: These non-negotiable household tasks are never truly “done”. And because it’s impossible to get ahead of these mundane chores, they are likely the reason you feel like you’re always busy but never accomplish anything.

The bad news? Non-negotiables are a part of adulting. The good news? Streamlining such chores with a reduces the time and mental load associated with getting them done.

On today’s show: How to streamline meal planning *...

Sleep Is Medicine

American culture is heavily influenced by a “rise and grind” reverence for hustling, and many of us have adopted the belief that sleep is a waste of time. When we dismiss the importance of sleep, we have more time to work harder and longer. And when we have more money in our pockets, what we are really doing is keeping our capitalist engines turning.

Contrary to what you’ve been told, sleep is not time wasted. On today’s show: The Number One way to improve your health, wellness, and quality of l...