Today I became really aware of how polluted my life is by stuff - it isn’t something I like, in fact I hope it is something that changes drastically due to “the impossible challenge“. I look around and see DVD’s I don’t need to own, old CD’s which can’t be that special to me otherwise I’d listen to them. I see pillows and blankets I liked the style of, prints that spoke to my artistic side and endless books. The one area of my life I have successfully changed is clothing, I’m pretty much down to three winter tops, three summer tops, leggings, 2 skirts and a couple of more formal things for work as well as one swimsuit. I’m also OK in the shoe department as I have one nice pair of formal heels, one pair of summer sandles and running shoes, yes that really is it! But I have too much underwear, socks, nightwear, scarves and handbags, something I hope to change this weekend. I think the biggest challenge to minimalism for me is paperwork, I have far too much paperwork. The bank statements, receipts, old letters, past utility bills & work contracts just take up too much space and I really want that to change. I have come to see that my home, is a direct reflection of how I see my life, it’s either simple or just too busy. When I moved to Yorkshire for my work contract, I loved having a room that was completely minimalist. I had two wonderful wardrobes which had ample room and some left over which fit in everything I brought with me! Now, I feel I’m yet again drowning in stuff…
I’m supposed to be cleaning this weekend but in fact I’m having a good hard look at myself and the objects I own, wondering whether they reflect who I am now and whether I could bless someone else with them rather than hang on to stuff that doesn’t add any quality to my life and instead takes something from my life. I am hoping by Sunday evening I have some large bags and boxes ready for the women’s refuge and local charity shops, I am hoping all this stuff will do a lot more good somewhere else, rather than simply collecting dust in my home & heart…
Are you a minimalist? What works for you in getting rid of stuff?
Edited To Add: One room now successfully “minimalized” – magazines recycled or in the donate pile, DVD’s gone through and many in the donate pile, vaccuming done, dusting done, plants watered and any clutter removed!
2nd Edit: It’s 10:30pm and the kitchen is now done (dishes washed, cleaned sink, sweep floor, vacuumed floor, cleaned oven, dishes away, garbage & recycling taken out and I de-cluttered and found some things to donate!) Tomorrow morning I will wash the kitchen floor by hand as well as the hallway floor! I’ve also cleaned the bathroom, done a load of laundry and hung it out to dry!
I get so excited about this, every day brings new challenges! I’ve found it helpful to divide my home into 5 zones, each representing 1 week. Each week as I work that particular zone, I do exactly what you have done by working my way through drawers,cupboards etc. asking those very questions. I clean as I go, some days I only manage 15 minutes, but at the end of the week there is a definite declutter and little by little I can sort that room out faster when it comes around again in 5 weeks. Less stuff means I am free to choose to do other things with my life, learn new things, knit, reflect and have adventures big and small. I love it!! Your blog speaks my language, keep inspiring us!
No, I am certainly not a minimalist. But I don’t like clutter either and have now for some time been thinking of what I can get rid of. I’ve made some strides in books, cds, toiletries, clothing and this and that, mostly paper. I have a long way to go before I am finally finished. I don’t push myself to declutter due to health challenges and constant travel. However it is on top of mind once I get through some other major “projects”.
I’ve been doing the same kind of downsizing over the past few months. The hardest part for me is trying not to think about the money wasted on all of this stuff. I’m trying to sell the things I can, like DVDs, CDs, books, and various items on ebay. The little bit of money I can get for them helps soften the blow of money spent unwisely. The biggest thing is the weight that being lifted mentally for me. And the discovery that I really don’t rewatch a lot of movies, so renting is the way for me now.
I know I could never be an extreme minimalist, but that’s not the point for me. I want to surround myself with only those things I truely love.
Wow that is a nice bedroom. I am not in any way clutter free or a minimalist I have a lot of ornaments around which collect a lot of dust!! I am always amazed at people who live simply in this area because personally I find buying stuff a real weakness. It sounds like you are doing really well!
Not sure what happened to my comment but I really like the bedroom. I have a lot of ornaments which collect dust, I admire people who can live without buying more!!
Sorry it was there!! I did forget to say that I like that you are giving it away I think it says a lot about your morals. I guess the consolation is the money went to good use!!
I became a minimalist and then I got married. We do have extra “stuff” but for the most part we haven’t gotten too overburdened which makes me happy. We use all our appliances etc on a regular basis. But of course compared to many people on this planet we have way too much. I try not to have anything that doesn’t have really have a function or purpose for being in our lives, but we do have a few knick knacks…… I think it can be a hard balance to maintain.
I’m trying to get that way. I have been slowly decluttering and am finally seeing some real progress. Honestly I don’t even know where all the stuff came from, but it is feeling so good to get rid of so much, especially knowing that somebody else who might need it will now get it.
we are in EXACTLY the same place right now, FT. i am currently in the beginning stages of moving to a much tinier place than the one i’m in now, and i could not be happier. it means getting rid of a bunch of stuff. i tried to sell it, but it’s not really working, and i’m surprised and happy that i really don’t even care, i just want to donate it and move on with my life. i can’t believe how many clothes i’ve dumped. i have to go through documents, too … sadly, will be a winter project for me, but it will get done. it’s going to feel wonderful to pare down to essentials (for me) … a bed, a yoga mat, and some flowers and plants … you get the picture. makes for a clearer mind and helps the focus on what’s truly important. good luck with your declutter. it truly does feel like a burden off your shoulders!
I used to be obsessed with minimilism, and that is just as unhealthy as clutter. I live withmy mum who likes clutter so its hard and I have to watch my ocd doesnt make me ill. Ive noticed that since I moved home, ive felt safer and brought more and more and more stuff. its driving me nuts!
I have lived with way less than now. I am going to slowly start ridding myself of stuff. Since leaving my husband I have acquired more clothing but I had very little (1 bra, a few t shirts and a few skirts and many were cast offs) and in summer a daily change of clothing is a must here. I have very little winter clothing as it is rarely cold here and like you I have very little good clothing and minimal good shoes.
Actually shoes are a challenge for me. I have short wide feet and rarely find shoes to fit. When I do find them on sale I buy two pairs.
I am constantly amazed by the stuff in our lives. One day I may just tame it.
3 winter tops and 3 summer tops!!! Wow!
I’m just in the starting stages of minimalism… continually losing weight doesn’t help with the clothes of new size coming in… nor does change in lifestyle (I’ll be going back to work shortly)…. but still working on moving to the next step of minimalism… baby steps, eh!
I think I’m the exact opposite of minimalist but determined to change that. I’m not even sure why I hang on to some of the stuff. Am now off to fill a charity bag. Well, it’s a start!
I keep thinking about you as I fail with my cleaning, I hope it’s going really great and you’ve cleared lots of stuff!!
I used to be a real hoarder and now I’m just a clutterbug. I’m working my way to normal then minimal!!! You are an inspiration. Keep on keeping on.
I must add my reason for hanging to things WAY past time is the phrase “I could use this one day”. I guess I need to trust God more for my provision instead of myself. I feel by hanging on to old stuff doesn’t make room for new blessings.
That bedroom looks so relaxing. I now live in a 750 square foot house and so am in the process of going thru my things and seeing what else I can give away. I already gave a lot away, but need to do more. I am happy that I have only spent 42.00 dollars on clothes so far in 2010, and that includes a new bathing suit I bought on ebay for 23.00. Now you have encouraged me not to buy anymore clothes for the year!!!