My “useful links” posts are generally centered around a particular theme, but I’m going to mix it up a bit today…

Today’s links are to articles I’ve read (and one video I watched) over the past week that I think will be of interest to my readers.  While some of these articles are on popular blogs (so you may have already seen them), others are from newer or less well-known bloggers.  I’m happy to introduce you not only to interesting and thought-provoking articles, but also to excellent blogs you might decide to follow.

Today’s Links – Decluttering, Change, Materialism, and more…

• Why We Don’t Change, Even When We Want To

Bridgette Rae’s recent haircut led her to think deeply about change and why we avoid it, even when we’re craving something new.  She shares a story of one of her early clients who was reluctant to get rid of an old pair of Chanel earrings.  The client didn’t love the earrings and wasn’t wearing them, yet they reminded her of a better time in her life.  Bridgette shares the dose of “tough love” she gave this client and what happened as a result.  She also writes about the phenomenon of anticipatory anxiety and how it stops us from making the changes we know we need to make in our lives.

• Silence is Spelled R-e-l-a-p-s-e

Unshopping… and Unraveling is another blog written by a recovering shopaholic.  This shopaholic, Cristina, recently experienced a relapse of her compulsive shopping problem.  In this incredibly open and revealing post, Cristina writes about what happened, her feelings about the relapse, and her commitment to turn things around and conquer her shopping demons once and for all.  Many of you have praised me for my openness and honesty in my posts.  Cristina is equally candid and I was genuinely moved by her words.  I think you will be, too.

• I Don’t Love You Anymore

Joshua Fields Millburn of The Minimalists is an excellent writer and has the enviable ability of conveying a profound message using a small number of words.  In this post, Joshua writes about his recent “breakup” with a large chunk of his wardrobe.  Read this article if you want an extra dose of motivation to streamline your closet.

• Possessions as Promises

I’ve never thought to look at my possessions as being “promises” before, but this article from Miss Minimalist makes a strong case for such a viewpoint.  We buy new things for the promises we believe they’ll deliver in our lives, but we often end up with a pile of broken promises, otherwise known as clutter.  Miss Minimalist offers a series of questions to ask ourselves to help clear away current clutter and avoid accumulating future clutter.

• The High Price of Materialism

I close this post with an entertaining and informative five-minute video from The Center for a New American Dream.  Jill Chivers shared this video on Facebook and my first thought was to include it in my Friday links post!  In the video, psychologist Tim Kasser discusses how America’s culture of consumerism undermines our well-being.  The narrative and the accompanying animation lays out the problems of excess materialism and points toward solutions that promise a healthier, more just, and more sustainable life.  While this video centers on America, the message applies to people all around the world!

Weekend Wishes and a Few Reminders…

I hope you enjoy this “mixed bag” edition of useful links.  I wish you all a wonderful weekend!

Lots of fall sales are going on right now and for the next few weeks.  If you’re headed out to the shops, it might be a good idea to revisit the tips that Dr. April Benson and I gave during our August teleseminar.  While these tips refer to August in particular, they are applicable to the shopping challenges we face all year round.