Start with de-cluttering your stuff. If you haven’t used it or touched it 6 months, it needs to go. I am not a sentimental person, so I am cleaning out ALL.THE.TIME. My husband jokes that I’m the exact opposite of a hoarder! LOL! I absolutely love re-organizing, de-cluttering, having garage sales, and filling up the dumpster with things I don’t need/use. And the more I do it, the more I find to get rid of.
I think what’s helped me the most is to set my priorities and stick to them. If something comes along and doesn’t line up with my priorities, then it’s not hard to say NO, whether it be a time commitment or allowing something in the house (like stuff people want to give us, etc.).
Many minimalists will say that you need to keep your belongings to a certain number or less. I’ve even heard of some who own less than 100 items, including kitchen stuff, books, and clothing combined! While I applaud their efforts to live on an extremely small amount, I also say that this isn’t practical for most of us. I have more than 100 books, so I’m already failing their standards! LOL!
Just keep what you use or what you love and get rid of the rest. Simple as that. Don’t hold on to stuff because “you might need it one day” or because you spent money on it or because your kids might want/need it some day. It costs you time, space, sanity, and life to keep, move, and clean things you don’t need.
My house is clutter-free, so I’m working on our closets. I’m slowly building capsule wardrobes for all of us, especially myself. Clothing is a weakness for me because I love sales and I love fashion. But I often acquire more than I really need. So now, if I get one new thing, one old thing gets donated. I am also avoiding sales now and spending more money on classic pieces that I can easily mix and match with everything (such as a blazer that can be worn with jeans or a skirt or dress pants or over a dress). I’ve started pinning ideas for my own capsule wardrobe here.
Some other ideas for simplifying and creating a space you love and works for you:
–scan photographs into your computer and discard the original. Back it up to a hard drive. You’ll always have the photos, but eliminates clutter and keeps you from having to store and/or move it.
–don’t have items that do the same thing, such as a blender and a food processor, even if you have room for them. White space is freeing.
–remember that memories are in your heart and mind, not in things. Your daughter probably won’t wear your wedding dress, you don’t have to hold on to the china platter your great aunt gave you when you got married if you’re not using it (she’ll never know!).
–don’t go buy a bunch of containers to “organize” your stuff. You’ll spend more money organizing it and still have the same amount of stuff than you would if you just got rid of it.
I recently read The Clutter Trap (e-book). It’s awesome for people who have a hard time getting rid of the things that clutter their lives. I highly recommend it!
