Joshua and I have been trying to get pregnant for about three years, to one extent or another. We gave the non-medical route a year to work on its own. Then for a year or so we tried the half-assed medical route, which involved a doctor who would give me Clomid but not do much else. After two miscarriages, we spent several months on pause. Now, I’ve been added to Joshua’s insurance, and we’re ready to go the medical path to pregnancy, at least for a little while.

I’m often musing on how to create a simpler life that cuts away unnecessary commercialism, improvement, and competition. Things You Don’t Need is a feature I want to bring you regularly as I put together a master list of ways to simplify your life. Cutting out the excess that can easily overtake your life brings more than just simplicity. When you shorten the list of things you think you need, you’ll find you have more money, are in better health, and are treating the environment better, as well. You breathe a little easier, and you find more down-to-earth joy in your day-to-day life. Some items on this list will be challenging, but I invite you to use your imagination and picture yourself a little freer, a little lighter, a little happier, and a little less plugged into the chaos of our culture.