Minimalism
“Throw out the excess,
clean up the mess,
say no to stress,
and live with less.”
I have always been an organized person, constantly pairing down my possessions and trying to streamline things as much as possible. Since having children, I have challenged myself to step up my game as kids seem to collect so much stuff without even trying! By no means I am an expert in this regard, but as I am on my journey to acquire less, I have discovered a mindset shift which is greatly benefiting my home, mental wellness and bank account.
Here are a few principles that have aided my minimalistic lifestyle.
Minimize Multiples
From mugs, to lotions and makeup and linens to name a few, I steer clear of hoarding tons of products. I generally just need one or few of any item at most.
I also utilize dual purpose items whenever possible. I use the same makeup brush for applying both bronzer and blush. I am sure a few makeup artists would bat a lash at that, but for me it works.
Treat Shopping As A Task, Not A Hobby
During my difficult 2019, I turned to retail therapy as a way to cope with anxiety, and I soon realized that was neither wise, sustainable or effective. Pretty things won’t fill the void.
I also will not impulse shop. When a purchase idea pops into my head, I write it down in my bullet journal and think over it for a few days. This is imperative for myself in the days of Amazon Prime where anything you can think of is a mere click away. Much of the time, I realize it’s not necessary and I pass saving both money and unnecessary clutter.
Embrace Quality Over Quantity
This echoes my first point, but the idea here is to choose eco-friendly, ethically made and long-lasting items over things that will just end up in the bin. I am realizing it’s better to have 2 great fitting jeans, then a drawer stuffed with unflattering ones.
Avoid Knick-Knacks
In my home, I prefer to keep my surfaces clean and crisp. I do have the odd home decor item, but often it is dual purpose such as beautiful servingware on display, books or a family heirloom that tells a story such as the Royal Dalton figurine on my vanity whom I inherited from my Nana.
Keep Collections Small and Curated
I personally am not a collector of anything, but if you collect anything as a hobby, I would suggest keeping it small and/or at the very least having it stored or displayed in a streamline way. I look to my grandmothers as an example in this regard. My Nana loved elephants and had just a few beautiful decorative elephants. One was a lovely brass and the other rod iron. My other grandmother loves owls and at last count had 176 according to a cousin. Of course you do you [and my lovely and generous Grandma is incredibly endearing for her bursting-at-the-seams treasure finds], but I can tell you I cannot think of a single distinct owl in all those knooks and crannies, whereas I remember my other grandmother’s two elephants clearly. Often less can be more in terms of making an impact. In turns of collections, I tend to max out at three items per category (lipstick, faux candles..etc]. It’s an unofficial rule that serves me well.
Sort Both Periodically [Big Overhauls] + On An Ongoing Basis
A few times a year, I will go on a Marie Kondo bender. Other times, it’s on an ongoing basis as I go about my business. Perhaps I spot a shirt at the bottom of my drawer I no longer wear, or I notice my spice drawer looking disheveled. Taking on mini-projects here and there will make things so much manageable when you tackle monster tasks. I actually have a donation cardboard box that I will place excellent used condition items such as neglected toys, clothes, kitchenware..etc, and will make a pitstop at my local Goodwill every few weeks or so.
I’ve always said that my brain is a jumbled space, so it’s important that my external surroundings have order. Personally, minimalism is not just a lifestyle preference, but a key component in my wellness toolkit. Living simply is key. Do you agree?
