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Gear 2025

January 01, 2025May 24, 2025 Mark VerberLeave a comment

I have found simplicity to be a useful lens in life. Simplifying my stuff has provided freedom, remove unnecessary friction, while enabling me to pursue what is important to me, aka what I consider a meaningful life. The following is a complete list of everything … “Gear 2025”

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Posted Under: simplicity, travelTags: gear

Take Less, Do More

June 08, 2024March 15, 2025 Mark VerberLeave a comment

Take Less, Do More is a refreshing departure from the typical books about voluntary simplicity, ultralight backpacking, or minimalism. Rather than centering on our relationship with “stuff” the book focuses on how we engage the world around us influences our life.  Many books in this … “Take Less, Do More”

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Posted Under: outdoors, relationships, simplicity

Gear-a-holic-ism

August 07, 2023September 17, 2024 Mark VerberLeave a comment

One of the dangers of any activity that involves “gear” is that people can get hyper focused on “gear” rather than the activity / goal. Ironically, there is a similar danger for people pursuing minimalism: a temptation to chase after the “perfect” rather than being … “Gear-a-holic-ism”

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Posted Under: simplicityTags: gear

Packing for the Camino

June 29, 2023May 24, 2025 Mark VerberLeave a comment

This post has been extracted from my camino page because the most common question we have gotten from friends was about what we carried. They already knew something about the Camino itself and most wanted to understand how we managed to “go so light” for … “Packing for the Camino”

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Posted Under: outdoors, simplicity, travel

Lessons from the Camino

June 12, 2023January 24, 2025 Mark Verber1 Comment

The following is a list of the lessons I learned, beliefs that were strengthen, and/or topics which frequently came up in discussions with other while walking the Camino. Walking the Camino provided a wonderful opportunity to consider what makes a meaningful life. The book Walk … “Lessons from the Camino”

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Posted Under: learning, personal, relationships, simplicity, spiritual

Family Gear 2023

January 01, 2023April 25, 2025 Mark VerberLeave a comment

Several items on my personal gear list were used by the whole family, and thus, this page was born. I have excluded our furniture. We keep only those items that are useful and/or are enjoyed which allows our family to focus on doing things that … “Family Gear 2023”

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Posted Under: simplicityTags: gear

simple pleasures – cool breeze

July 16, 2022May 25, 2025 Mark Verber1 Comment

Nearly fifty years ago I was looking through a book of early Peanuts cartoons while I waited for my violin lesson. One of the comics showed the simple pleasure of a cool breeze on a hot day. Since that day whenever I feel a cool … “simple pleasures – cool breeze”

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Posted Under: personal, simplicity

A “Digital Nomad” Experiment

February 16, 2022May 20, 2025 Mark Verber1 Comment

TL;DR I became intrigued by the digital nomad lifestyle in the 1980s. I got to know a number of the early digital nomads, and followed many more via blogs / websites. My minor claim to fame was that Rolf Potts noted in his book Vagabonding … “A “Digital Nomad” Experiment”

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Posted Under: personal, simplicity, travel

Personal Care Heresies

December 19, 2021May 25, 2025 Mark VerberLeave a comment

If you listen to popular culture and the ads which “inform” us about acceptable conduction you would be inclined to believe that there are numerous specialized products and activities that we must engaged in for the sake of properness. I ran a series of experiments … “Personal Care Heresies”

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Posted Under: simplicity, travel

Simplicity

March 14, 2021January 02, 2025 Mark VerberLeave a comment

Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler. Aphorism attributed to Albert Einstein In the face of an ever accelerated and complex world, I have found seeking simplicity to be a shelter. Rather than getting caught up in, and reacting to our fast moving … “Simplicity”

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Posted Under: simplicity

Shopping Diet Retro June 2020

June 29, 2020April 05, 2024 Mark Verber1 Comment

I strive to be grateful for my material possessions and not fall into the trap of consistent consumption. For the last several years I limit my purchases to consumables and replacing items that wore out for most of the year, aka a shopping diet. Think … “Shopping Diet Retro June 2020”

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Posted Under: money, simplicityTags: gear

Shopping Diet + A Retro

August 06, 2018October 22, 2024 Mark VerberLeave a comment

We live an an era which encourage us to consume ever more products, always looking for what would be better than what we have. I strive to be content with adequate shelter, clothing, and food and grateful for the material possessions which grace my life. One … “Shopping Diet + A Retro”

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Posted Under: money, simplicity

Simplifying Stuff

January 08, 2018April 25, 2025 Mark VerberLeave a comment

Francis Schaeffer observed that we live in a world that worships “personal peace and affluence”. Our culture tells us that we should put comfort above all else which leads to a self centered life. Advertisers buy our attention to convince us more stuff will make … “Simplifying Stuff”

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Posted Under: simplicity

Minimalism & Simplicity

December 26, 2011April 05, 2024 Mark VerberLeave a comment

My father taught me the value of simplicity. He didn’t need to update an item if it was still working. He didn’t need to purchase something to impress others. Dad was suspicious of people who attacked problems with complicated solutions.  Complex solutions typically demonstrated that … “Minimalism & Simplicity”

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Posted Under: simplicity

Lessons from Dad

October 02, 2002December 08, 2024 Mark VerberLeave a comment

As I reflect on my father’s life, and can’t help but be struck by what a powerful influence he was on me.  I fear that while my adolescent rebellion against him was mild, it was long lived.  It took me a long time to see … “Lessons from Dad”

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Posted Under: personal, relationships, simplicity

Packing & Traveling Light

March 09, 1997May 27, 2025 Mark Verber

I have used a single carry-on size bag when traveling for most of my life. I didn’t realize this was uncommon until my wife and I did a multi-week service trip in 1996. Both of us brought everything we needed for sub-freezing weather in carry-on … “Packing & Traveling Light”

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Posted Under: simplicity, travel

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