October's over, hello November
Here’s what’s been happening on–and off–Living Small this month.
Hi Friends,
I’m sharing a recap of what’s been happening on LIVING SMALL this month–plus a few highlights from life offline. Thanks for being a part of this community and welcoming this newsletter into your inbox each week.
Laura
PS - It’s Election Day on Tuesday: If you haven’t voted early, now’s the time to make a plan to vote.
This month LIVING SMALL has been packed with great stories:
We kicked off the month with an installment of Small Takes with Christine Platt, whose new book Less is Liberation hit bookshelves this month. It’s a must-read for anyone looking to tackle overwhelm.
In the second newsletter of the month, I shared three books I loved, gave away to a friend and promptly bought again. But the real reason to click over to this one is to read the comments from the Living Small community. There are so many good recommendations for your reading list!
Given the chance to interview creator Courtney Adamo about her gorgeous home, I chose to chat about chores. Daily maintenance is the key to the aesthetic appeal of any home and I loved hearing how Courtney’s family of seven makes it work in their 1,4000-square foot home.
Most-read post: I wrote about why getting out of the house is key to both living small and building community. Wow, did this one catch fire: So many readers have shared this post on Substack and other channels. I’m so grateful to
(author of The New Urban Order, who is featured in the essay) for helping me create something that resonated with so many people.This week, I wrote about why I value old houses and mourn the loss of the East Wing of the White House. I was surprised when it ended up being one of the more personal pieces I’ve written to-date.
This month’s clicks
🔗 The most-clicked link this month was a viral essay titled, “You’re overspending because you lack values.” This essay has 16,000 likes and counting.
🏠 The most-clicked small space was writer @christene Barberich’s cozy cabin in upstate New York. (No surprise there!)
💸 The best thing I bought this month was more classes at my local yoga studio and skateboard classes for my kid. Experiences > things.
📌 Things I pinned this month included a stunner of a lamp ($$), the kicks I coveted in 7th grade, some required reading (via@kelsey keith), and this recipe for “easy little bread” (via @amanda leigh).
+ Reporting back that I made
’s “magic” apple plum cobbler that was included in September’s pins: It comes together quickly and is truly magical.📖 My reading list included Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein; my book club read it in anticipation of seeing the film together on opening night. The film was a little too gory for my delicate disposition. I listened to Moral Ambition (thought provoking, but I wish there was more specific, actionable advice) and I made headway on How To Fall In Love With the Future (which is a little disappointing so far). I also started A Poison Like No Other, which is about microplastics. This is a topic I thought I was well-informed about, but every page delivers new shocks (it’s tough but needed reading).
But the very best thing I read was ‘How I Became A Populist.’ So powerful (h/t to
who linked to it in her newsletter). And thank goodness for and whose dispatches are keeping me informed during this absolutely insane time in our country.Plus, a little appreciation for YOU and a few inspiring reader comments.
I’m so grateful for all of this newsletter’s thoughtful, engaged readers. The comments section of each newsletter brings me so much joy. Thank you for being in conversation with me and each other.
In case you missed it, Living Small reader Kristen Pumphrey shared how she redesigned her front yard to foster more connection with her community–it’s such a great read!
Responding to ‘Get out of the house’ AlkibSeattle says, “My downstairs neighbor hosts a potluck every Monday, where she prepares a simple main dish like soup. We typically have around 9 women, of various ages and backgrounds, who come together regularly. It’s definitely helping us build a strong sense of community.” I want to be this neighbor ❤️.
Responding to ‘The secret to an always-tidy house?’ HLinden says, “I got my kids doing some chores when I made them “managers”. My oldest is the laundry “manager” and in charge of moving the laundry along, etc., so that I don’t need to remember each step as I go about my day. I help her with the laundry, but she is in charge of maintaining the task list, so to speak. I made another kid the “manager” of bathroom cleaning - they get help from others but are in charge of keeping track when the trash needs to go out, when the sinks are getting dirty, which week it is to wash towels, etc.”
