A Soul Minimalist's Guide to 2025
10 things we will be doing and 10 things we will not
Hi Soul Minimalist!
I don’t know about you but I could use a reminder of how to responsibly engage the world around me without becoming lost in information, rage, or chaos. Let’s review how to practice inner life minimalism in the actual days we’re living, shall we?
But first, a giant thank you to you who joined me either at the free or paid level after last week’s re-introduction post. It’s easy to just keep doing the things we’re doing and forget that people find us in all kinds of ways on the Internet these days so offering a big-picture summary of what we’re doing can be helpful.
If you missed that post, it’s right here, free for all to read:
One of the things you’ll need to know about me is that for years I’ve joked that I’m allergic hot takes. I prefer warm takes and slow considerations. And it’s true (haha) but also, it’s like really true (as in, not a joke, just a straight up fact).
I believe we all likely have instant opinions and impressions. But I like to process inside my head, not verbally. And certainly not on the Internet. I appreciate Lore Wilbert’s reflection on the four temptations she has “whenever there is Very Bad News or Very Hot Takes happening in the world.” I generally need a fairly long runway to connect dots, consider perspectives, and thoughtfully sift through my feelings (of which there are always many).
I won’t get too far into defending the slow processors of the world because I’ve talked about this elsewhere (See Episode 136 of The Next Right Thing: Decision-Making for Slow Processors) but I will at least say this now: I don’t believe slow processing is really a thing. (I said what I said).
We all process information at different rates of speed and these are influenced by our own core values, lived experience, social location, beliefs, personality, past trauma, and ideas about the world and ourselves. Processing information is not measured on a scale like a thermometer with a fixed boiling and freezing point. We aren’t elements, we are human. And humans process information and experiences differently. To attach the word “slow” to a way of being in the world doesn’t make full sense to me.
I mean obviously I’ve done it and I’ve said it too. But I’m working to change my own language around this because in the past I’ve carried some shame about the fact that it takes me a while to process things and I think that’s a waste of good time and sacred energy.
What might be closer to the truth is that I actually process things close to instantly but then I choose to take time before talking about them. And maybe you do, too.
My goal in this space is not to publicly process all the things in my life or around the world, although some of this will happen naturally here. Instead, my goal here is to help all of us to navigate the inner working of our lives and to increase our awareness of how that has a direct impact on the ways we show up in the world (our relationships, decisions, service, commitments, and yes, our politics) whether we realize it or not.
If you ask me, I believe it’s vital we realize it and then move into the world on purpose. Here is a framework to practice doing just that in three movements:
Clear the clutter.
Silence, stillness and solitude are to the soul as decluttering is to the house. Find ten minutes to shut it all down and be quiet with your thoughts and your things and your heart and your body. If a journal helps, use it. If staring out the window is the only way, do that. If moving is the only way, walk it out. You don’t have to be silent, alone, and still all at the same time. But I recommend at least some of the time be silent. Whatever it takes to practice some version of this soul decluttering on the regular.
Name the unnamed things.
When you clear some of the input clutter, things will begin to emerge that we rush past in daily life. Here is where you can give them an actual shot at speaking their piece. These questions could help:
What is the worst thing that could happen?
What is the best thing that could happen?
What do I want?
What do I need?
What do I hope for?
Do your next right thing in love.
This will not be impressive. It will be small and likely daily which may tempt you to believe it is unimportant. Resist that narrative as if your life depends on it because, in a very real way, it does.
There is always a lot to process and there isn’t something wrong with you if you feel overwhelmed by it all. But what we do not want to do is to get so stuck in trying to process all information that we are unable to do our good and beautiful work. All information is not equally worth your processing time.
With all of that in mind, I’m attempting to set a deep and wide table for myself and for you, not for conclusions but for communion. I’m sharing my answers to number three: what my next right thing looks like as a citizen and as a Christ-follower.