Category Archives: Doing Without

Mediterranean Course Correction

Posted on January 12, 2020 by John Swinburn

I inquired of Google this morning: “What is the Mediterranean lifestyle?” The first answer I found—and the one I intend on adapting as my own—was this, from a blog entitled, The Mediterranean Dish in a post labeled Live the Mediterranean … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Compassion, Doing Without, Empathy, Essay, Generosity, Philosophy, Ruminations, Self-discipline, Selfishness | Leave a comment

Being Better or Dying Trying

Posted on November 17, 2019 by John Swinburn

This paragraph completes this post; I wrote this paragraph after I wrote the rest of it. I write this to remind myself, and anyone else who stumbles on these words, that I have to write in order to know what … Continue reading →

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Reprise of Doing Without

Posted on April 5, 2018 by John Swinburn

Even years later, I keep coming back to this. Something about it holds me in its clutches. Something about it calls for action. Just four months shy of five years ago, I decided to begin an experiment whereby I would … Continue reading →

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Doing Without, or Doing, Again

Posted on January 4, 2018 by John Swinburn

In August 2013, I started what I intended to be a year in which I would “do without” something I was used to for a month at a time. At the end of the year, according to my plan, I … Continue reading →

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Comfort Versus Luxury

Posted on December 4, 2015 by John Swinburn

At what point does comfort cross into luxury? That question came to me this morning, unexpectedly, while I was checking the clothes dryer. I washed a mish-mash of clothes last night—jeans, t-shirts, socks, etc.—but forgot about them. When I awoke … Continue reading →

Posted in Doing Without, Just Thinking, Materialism, Philosophy, Self-discipline | Leave a comment

The City

Posted on August 2, 2015 by John Swinburn

I can imagine living in the city, right in the heart of the city, waking early to seek out breakfast from street vendors or little hole-in-the-wall dives that open early so they can capture every possible customer in their efforts … Continue reading →

Posted in Compassion, Doing Without, Empathy | 1 Comment

Cornish Pasties

Posted on December 15, 2013 by John Swinburn

I did it.  I made Cornish Pasties, ostensibly a “Great Lakes” regional dish.  It was my second “Regional Cuisine of the U.S. and Canada” endeavor of the month, the first being American Chop Suey. I did not bother with photos … Continue reading →

Posted in Doing Without, Food | 3 Comments

Kitchen Travel

Posted on November 25, 2013 by John Swinburn

My experiment in doing without has evolved from the original plan.  I started and ended my absence from social media (except this blog) early and curtailed my month of meatlessness after three weeks or so.  I am returning to my … Continue reading →

Posted in Doing Without, Food | 3 Comments

Bye-bye, Facebook

Posted on October 19, 2013 by John Swinburn

I’m modifying my “doing without” schedule. For reasons I’ll touch on briefly below, I decided the remainder of meatless October will shift to beginning my month of doing without social media, specifically Facebook and Twitter.   I’ll allow this blog … Continue reading →

Posted in Doing Without | 28 Comments

What Is This Teaching Me?

Posted on October 11, 2013 by John Swinburn

So, here I am in the midst of another month of doing without.  My plan calls for doing without, for one month at a time, something I enjoy; this month, I’m depriving myself of a category of food I enjoy: meat. … Continue reading →

Posted in Doing Without, Food, Philosophy, Self-discipline | 4 Comments

Doing Without: A Meat-Free October

Posted on September 26, 2013 by John Swinburn

September is winding down.  If I choose, I can celebrate on October 1 with a stiff drink or a beer, but I’m beginning to think I should stick with September’s commitment to doing without alcohol.  At the very least, I should … Continue reading →

Posted in Doing Without, Food, Self-discipline | 5 Comments

Doing Without Alcohol: Alternative Addictions?

Posted on September 12, 2013 by John Swinburn

My perception of my year of doing without is changing.  My casual experiment is having unexpected results.  I’m thinking of things I didn’t allow myself to think before I started this. This is my month for doing without alcohol.  Iced … Continue reading →

Posted in Doing Without, Self-discipline | 6 Comments

Doing Without: First Success

Posted on September 1, 2013 by John Swinburn

The month of August has passed and so has my first successful month of doing without. I gave up coffee for the entire month with no difficulty.  Today, I began September with a treat: a cup of very nice, rich, … Continue reading →

Posted in Doing Without, Self-discipline | 6 Comments

Coffee-Walk-Sloth-Pain

Posted on August 2, 2013 by John Swinburn

I’m only on day two of doing without and, as expected, I have had no difficulty doing without coffee.  But my coffee replacement, a 30+ minute morning walk, has been more of an adjustment than it should have been, considering … Continue reading →

Posted in Doing Without, Self-discipline, Sloth, Walking | Leave a comment

Doing Without: An August Beginning

Posted on July 30, 2013 by John Swinburn

I’ve been thinking all month about what I would do without in my first month of doing without.  July, of course, was not the first month.  That will be August. For my first month, I’ll do without coffee, which will … Continue reading →

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Discipline: Doing Without

Posted on July 3, 2013 by John Swinburn

I subscribe to, but infrequently read, the periodic musings of a guy named Leo Babauta who writes Zen Habits. For some reason, the emailed post I received on July 1 caught my attention.  Entitled, “A Year of Living Without,” it detailed … Continue reading →

Posted in Doing Without, Happiness, Philosophy, Self-discipline | 1 Comment