Living Simply | Some Tips To Live A More Minimalist Life
I think that a lot of us would like to think of ourselves as minimalists, or at least try to be. It's all about lowering your carbon footprint and living a more clutter free life. But with that comes balance. You don't want your living space to be totally bare, but you also don't want to fill it with a bunch of useless junk that is just going to collect dust. Living simply does not come as an easy task to most (I'm speaking to myself first here!), but everyday I'm learning to be more selective of what I bring into my home and living space and it's making life a heck of a lot easier. Some positives I’m seeing from living a more minimal life:
More money in my pocket
Way less messes to clean up and things to dust (I HATE DUSTING)
Finding things around my house is so much easier
I feel more relaxed and peaceful in my living space
Gives me more space to use places in my home for their full potential (i.e. being able to park my truck in the garage.... Novel idea, I know)
Plan it
In so many words, the less stuff you have, the easier it will be to fit it all in your house and you will have the least amount of organizing you will need to do. There needs to be a plan of action. Not sure where to start? Well, you are in the right place! Here we have come up with some tips to help you live a less stressful life by eliminating the clutter.
All things need a home
Everything you own should have a place to live. Books, bills, art supplies, jewelry, dog toys, you name it - It needs to have it's own place. If things don't have places to stay, like in a storage bin, basket or on a shelf, it will sit out and you will likely never put it away.
One or none
Now, here us out: This is likely not something that everyone can adhere to (myself included) because lots of things we like to do call for multiples of each item we need for said "things". Example: If you like to cook, you may feel the urge to have 16 whisks, 7 slotted spoons and one too many sets of mixing bowls. A lot of time, this is not necessary and just takes up space and collects dust. In so many words, ditch the duplicates unless absolutely necessary.
Use it or lose it
Admit it. We all have that one (or if you are like me, 10....) "project piece" that we have held onto for literal years, promising ourselves that we will reupholster it or repaint/refinish it. At a certain point you have to realize that everything does not need to be held onto for salvaging or refinishing and if it does not serve you in that present moment, ditch it. It is totally okay to have projects and old things in your house that you have used for ages and want to refinish and bring back to life. Or maybe it is an heirloom piece that holds sentimental value. Totally cool! Just make sure if you plan on holding onto it, that you give yourself a time limit to finish it so it does not sit around collecting dust for years to come.
Keep the faith
De-cluttering and organizing takes effort and it takes a chunk of time, especially if you have spent years on years collecting and not purging. First and foremost: Do not get frustrated during your initial purge. Give yourself a pat on the back that you are even attempting to tackle the clutter and take it one day a time. Secondly: After your initial purge, make it monthly/yearly task so that you never have to stress yourself out over going through 19 different rooms filled to the brim with boxes. It is a mindset and lifestyle change to live clutter and junk free and if you take a look at what you have more frequently, the purging will feel like just another household chore.
Shop till you drop? No. Glean till it's clean!
Let's face it: We all love to shop. It is therapeutic. You see something, you want it, you buy it, you take it home and 9 times out of 10, you probably will never use it or implement it into your household or life. When shopping, here are few things to ponder and ask yourself (remember, this goes for things that are free also!):
Am I actually going to use this regularly?
Do you truly plan on being a sewing my own clothes and curtains with that sewing machine my sister is giving away? Or, will it simply take space up on my dining room table when my interest is lost in such crafts? If the answer is no, drop the fabric and walk away from the free sewing machine!
Does this item already have a twin in my house?
Something I think that we are all guilty of is buying the same pieces of something over and over and over again. For example: I love tools. Tools of any kind. Hammers, drills, screwdrivers, pliers, you name it! I always look like I'm ready to hang a ceiling fan or fix a flat tire at any moment. But the reality is - I don't need 16 hammers and I don't need 9 pairs of pliers. It is okay to have multiples of things if it serves a purpose. If it doesn't and it's simply taking up space? Get rid of it or donate it to someone else that may not have one.
Where am I going to put this when I take it home?
This is pretty common sense but, definitely something that most of us overlook in the heat of a shopping moment: If you cannot, off the top of your head, come up with or think of where you are going to put something, you most likely do not need to bring it home with you. It will serve no purpose but to take up space.
We hope that these tips were helpful to you. Living a clutter free life is a process but one that is super rewarding! Not only does it give you mental clarity, but it also helps to save you money. Being more conscious of the money you are spending and what you are bring into your home makes for a more carefree life!
If you are in need of some help organizing and getting rid of unwanted items to live a more minimalist life, we are here to help! Give us a call today at 216-200-0494 or shoot us an email. Our crews are ready to help you live a fulfilled and clutter free life!
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