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Simple Celebrations

It’s Fathers Day. I’m sitting in my favorite spot at the table, watching the girls play on the trampoline. This morning, each of them gave me a thoughtful and funny hand-written letter and a homemade gift. It made me so happy and filled me with gratitude. It also reminded me that celebrations don’t have to be elaborate or complicated to be amazing. The most important thing for me is to spend time with these young ladies. Not an expensive golf-outing, time out on the lake, or an elaborate cook out. Now don’t get me wrong. There is absolutely nothing wrong with any of those things OR with any way that you want to celebrate. My only intent here is to remind you to keep the main thing the main thing. Don’t let the most important things to you get lost in a sea of expectations. Hope your summer is going well so far, and I hope this message helps you enjoy it even more! | ![]() |
Simple & Sustainable
Celebration is an ancient instinct. Long before smartphones and party stores, humans gathered around fires to mark important events with food, rhythm, and storytelling.
These moments weren’t just fun. They were essential for survival. Rituals and shared meals helped early communities bond, build trust, and work together.
These gatherings satisfy something deep inside us. The need to belong, to be seen, and to feel connected.
Summer holidays like the Fourth of July and Father’s Day may look different now, but they still serve that same core purpose. They remind us of who we are and what matters most.
At their best, they connect generations, reinforce our values, and bring a sense of identity to our families and communities. The loudest fireworks or biggest feasts won’t bring meaning on their own. It’s the shared laughter, the hug after a long time apart, the inside jokes over burgers. That’s where the real joy lives.
Celebrating together boosts oxytocin, lowers stress, and helps create lasting memories.
When we are in sync with others, singing, clapping, or storytelling, we experience something researchers call collective effervescence. A shared high that strengthens relationships and well-being. These moments become emotional anchors in our minds and show us what a good life really feels like.
And that’s where essentialism comes in. It’s about choosing what truly matters and letting go of the rest.
In a world of overdone parties and pressure to impress, the essentialist path invites us to simplify.
To celebrate meaningfully, not extravagantly.
This summer, let’s focus on what matters most.
Connection, joy, and presence.

Cookouts are timeless. Yabba Dabba Doo!
Daily Doables
Seven tips for simple and meaningful summer celebrations
Focus on what matters most.
Before planning anything, ask yourself what truly makes the day meaningful. Let that be your guide.
Keep plans light and flexible.
The best memories often come from what wasn’t on the schedule. Leave room for easygoing fun.
Invite others to help in simple ways.
Ask guests to bring something or share a story. People enjoy contributing when the pressure is low.
Use what you already have.
Skip the shopping list. A picnic blanket, music, and good conversation are more than enough.
Let go of worn-out traditions.
If something no longer brings joy, it’s okay to move on. Make space for what feels right now.
Be fully present.
Put your phone away for a bit. Look around. Take in the people, the sounds, the sunlight.
Reflect on what worked.
After the celebration, notice what felt good. Use that clarity to shape future gatherings.!
Parting Points
We don’t need more stuff to make memories.
We need less noise, fewer expectations, and a little space to breathe.
This summer, celebrate simply.
You’ll remember it more and stress it less.
If you’re ready to create more peace in your everyday life, I’d love to help.
Join me for a clutter-free conversation.
Yours in Simplicity,

Sources and Inspiration
Jones, D. (2014). “The rituals that bind us.” Nature, 512(7512), 24–26.
Smith, J.A. (2020). “Why We Celebrate: The Psychology of Human Connection.” American Journal of Psychology & Culture.
Durkheim, É. (1912). The Elementary Forms of Religious Life.
The Greater Good Science Center, UC Berkeley. “Why Rituals Work.” https://greatergood.berkeley.edu
Psychology Today. “The Neuroscience of Celebrations and Social Connection.”
Smithsonian Magazine. “Ancient Feasting and Ritual Sites Show the Power of Shared Tradition.”
APA.org. “Cultural Holidays Boost Connection and Mental Health.”
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “Father Involvement and Child Wellbeing.”
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