In a world filled with distractions and material excess, many are turning to minimalist living as a way to find peace, clarity, and focus. Minimalism isn’t just about decluttering your physical space; it’s also about simplifying your mind, emotions, and daily habits to create a life filled with purpose and intention. If you’re looking to embrace this lifestyle, here are some essential books that can guide you on your journey to a simpler, more meaningful life.

1. “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” by Marie Kondo

Marie Kondo’s bestseller has become a cornerstone of the minimalist movement. Her KonMari method of tidying up focuses on keeping only the items that “spark joy” and letting go of everything else. This book isn’t just about organizing your home; it’s about transforming your life by decluttering your mind and surroundings. Kondo’s approach emphasizes the emotional and psychological benefits of minimalism, making it a must-read for anyone seeking to simplify their life.

2. “Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less” by Greg McKeown

Greg McKeown’s Essentialism is all about focusing on what truly matters. The book teaches you how to eliminate the non-essential tasks, commitments, and possessions that clutter your life, allowing you to channel your energy toward what’s truly important. McKeown’s philosophy is about doing less but better, helping you live a more focused and intentional life.

3. “Goodbye, Things: The New Japanese Minimalism” by Fumio Sasaki

Fumio Sasaki’s Goodbye, Things offers a deeply personal perspective on minimalism. Sasaki, once an overworked and overwhelmed office worker, found peace and happiness by getting rid of almost all his possessions. The book is filled with practical advice and real-life stories that inspire readers to embrace minimalism and discover the freedom that comes with owning less.

4. “The More of Less: Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You Own” by Joshua Becker

Joshua Becker’s The More of Less explores the benefits of living with less. Becker, a leading voice in the minimalist movement, shows how minimalism can lead to more freedom, time, and energy to pursue what truly matters in life. The book offers practical tips on how to start decluttering, as well as insights into how living with less can lead to more happiness and fulfillment.

5. “Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World” by Cal Newport

In Digital Minimalism, Cal Newport tackles the issue of digital overload. Newport argues that our constant connection to technology is a significant source of stress and distraction. The book provides strategies for reducing digital clutter, reclaiming your time, and focusing on deeper, more meaningful activities. Newport’s approach to minimalism extends beyond the physical and into the digital realm, making it an essential read for anyone looking to simplify their tech-driven life.

6. “Soulful Simplicity: How Living with Less Can Lead to So Much More” by Courtney Carver

Courtney Carver’s Soulful Simplicity is a heartfelt exploration of how minimalism can improve your overall well-being. Carver shares her personal journey of simplifying her life after a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, showing how minimalism helped her reduce stress, improve her health, and focus on what truly matters. The book offers practical advice and inspiration for anyone looking to create a simpler, more intentional life.

7. “The Minimalist Home: A Room-by-Room Guide to a Decluttered, Refocused Life” by Joshua Becker

Another valuable book by Joshua Becker, The Minimalist Home takes you through a step-by-step process of decluttering each room in your house. Becker provides practical tips and motivational insights to help you create a living space that supports a minimalist lifestyle. This book is perfect for those who are ready to take action and transform their home into a place of peace and simplicity.

8. “Simplify: 7 Guiding Principles to Help Anyone Declutter Their Home and Life” by Joshua Becker

In Simplify, Joshua Becker outlines seven principles that can guide you toward a simpler, more meaningful life. The book is a quick and accessible read, packed with practical tips for decluttering your home and mind. Becker’s principles are easy to implement and can help you make lasting changes toward a more minimalist lifestyle.

9. “Minimalism: Live a Meaningful Life” by Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus

Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, known as The Minimalists, offer a holistic approach to minimalism in Minimalism: Live a Meaningful Life. The book goes beyond decluttering and explores how minimalism can improve your health, relationships, passions, and growth. It’s a thought-provoking read that challenges you to rethink your priorities and focus on what truly brings happiness.

10. “The Joy of Less: A Minimalist Guide to Declutter, Organize, and Simplify” by Francine Jay

Francine Jay, also known as Miss Minimalist, offers a comprehensive guide to decluttering and organizing your home in The Joy of Less. The book is divided into manageable sections that make it easy to apply minimalism to every area of your life. Jay’s straightforward advice and encouraging tone make this book an excellent starting point for anyone new to minimalism.

Embracing minimalism can be a life-changing experience, offering you more time, space, and peace of mind. The books mentioned above provide a wealth of knowledge, inspiration, and practical tips to help you start your minimalist journey. Whether you’re looking to declutter your home, reduce digital distractions, or live a more intentional life, these books will guide you toward a simpler, more fulfilling existence. So, pick up one of these books, take the first step, and discover the joy of living with less.

 

The MTV Video Music Awards red carpet may not have the prestige of events like the Oscars or Cannes, but it has always delivered its own brand of unforgettable fashion drama. For decades, the VMAs have been a playground for bold and daring celebrity looks. Calling the event’s style “unconventional” is putting it mildly, as the red carpet has famously seen everything from sequin nipple pasties to dresses made entirely of meat.

This year was no exception, with stars stepping out in their most provocative ensembles. The 2024 VMAs red carpet featured standout moments like Chappell Roan in custom Y/Project, Anitta in custom Dolce & Gabbana, and Lisa in vintage Mugler. Below, we’ve rounded up our favorite fashion moments from the night.

Sabrina Carpenter in archival Bob Mackie and De Beers

Chappell Roan in Y/Project

Taylor Swift in Christian Dior, Stuart Weitzman, and Lorraine Schwartz

Tyla in Area

Megan Thee Stallion

Camila Cabello

Alessandra Ambrosio

Lil Nas X

Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom

Tate McRae

The Kid Laroi

Tinashe in Rick Owens

Addison Rae in Miss Claire Sullvian

Margaret Qualley in Chanel and Jack Antonoff

Shawn Mendes

Suki Waterhouse in Dolce & Gabbana

Nicky Rothschild

Paris Hilton

Halle Bailey

Halsey

Anitta

Alejandra Espinoza

Le Sserafim

Laura Whitmore

DJ Khaled

Apple’s much-anticipated iPhone 16 has finally hit the market, and as always, it promises to redefine the smartphone experience with its groundbreaking features and sleek design. On September 9, Apple hosted its “It’s Glowtime” event at Apple Park in Cupertino, unveiling a series of major hardware updates. The tech giant introduced the highly anticipated iPhone 16 series, which includes four new models: two standard versions and two Pro models. In addition to the iPhone lineup, Apple launched the AirPods 4 after a three-year hiatus, featuring several new enhancements, and the Apple Watch Series 10, showcasing a sleek new design and a slimmer profile.

The launch event was packed with back-to-back announcements, but the iPhone 16 Pro models stood out with features that are sure to catch the attention of smartphone enthusiasts. Here’s an in-depth look at the design, specifications, and key features of the new iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, offering a glimpse of what sets them apart.

iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max: Design and Display

Apple has introduced its largest iPhones yet with the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, increasing the display sizes to 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches, respectively. Both models feature a Grade 5 titanium design with a new micro-blasted finish, giving them a sleek, premium look. Durability has also been enhanced, as the devices are protected by the latest-generation Ceramic Shield, making them twice as durable as the iPhone 15 Pro models. Apple has launched four color options for the titanium finish: Black Titanium, Natural Titanium, White Titanium, and a new Desert Titanium. The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max also come equipped with a Super Retina XDR display, boasting a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 2000 nits peak brightness.

iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max: Performance and AI Enhancements

Under the hood, both models are powered by Apple’s new A18 Pro chipset, built using TSMC’s second-generation 3-nanometer technology. This chip delivers superior performance compared to the A17 Pro, and features a 16-core Neural Engine, offering a 17% boost in AI-related tasks through Apple Intelligence. The chipset also includes a 6-core GPU and a 6-core CPU, ensuring efficient multitasking and powerful processing.

Apple also introduced iOS 18 with a new “Game Mode,” designed to optimize performance and heat management during heavy tasks. The A18 Pro chip increases battery efficiency, providing up to four more hours of battery life. The iPhone 16 Pro Max promises up to 33 hours of battery life, while the iPhone 16 Pro offers up to 27 hours. In addition, the iPhones will be able to run on-device AI, with the upcoming iOS 18.1 update featuring Apple Intelligence tools like AI writing assistants, Call Summary and transcription, Clean Up, and Genmoji.

iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max: Camera Upgrades

Apple has significantly upgraded the camera system on the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, featuring a triple-camera setup for professional-level photography. The new models include a 48MP Fusion camera with a quad-pixel sensor, a 48MP ultrawide camera, and a 12MP telephoto camera. The iPhone 16 Pro Max also features a new tetraprism periscope lens, enabling up to 5x optical zoom. On the front, both models feature a 12MP TrueDepth camera. Additionally, Apple has introduced support for 4K video recording at 120fps in Dolby Vision, making it perfect for capturing high-quality video content.

A standout feature is the new “Camera Control” capacitive button on the right side of the device, allowing users to quickly access and adjust camera settings like exposure, zoom, and depth of field with just their fingers.

iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max: Pricing in India

 

In India, the iPhone 16 Pro starts at ₹1,19,900 for the 128GB variant, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max begins at ₹1,44,900 for the 256GB variant. Pre-orders for the new iPhones start on September 13, with sales going live on September 20.