Decluttering
Is it junk or treasured possessions?
Do I need it?
Does it make my life easier, better?
I used to believe that I needed everything I owned. No question about it. If I could make space for it – then it belonged in my house.
Maybe I am already a minimalist???
For the past 11 years (on and off), we have been living in an RV. (You don’t get much smaller than that for a family of eight.) So, I have successfully lived with less. However, there is one problem. I left items behind in storage and other items at our cabin. Exhausted from moving stuff, I have decided to embark on the world of minimalism.
After reading books, listening to Podcasts, and watching YouTube videos, I became inspired to embrace the world of decluttering. I certainly proved I could live with less, but could I release items that “didn’t bring me joy?” If I really hadn’t used them in eleven years, do I still need my china dishes? As a homeschool mother, can I get rid of curriculum? As an avid reader, what about all my books? UGH! This is not as easy as others make it look.
Under the influence of clutter, we may underestimate how much time we're giving to the less important stuff. -Zoe Kim
A few tips I have learned along the way:
1~Know Your WHY. I used to think if I could make space, then it wasn’t really clutter. But the truth is, it still requires effort to clean around it and it mentally takes up space. When you open a cabinet and have to work around “stuff”—that steals your time. Having less means managing less.
2~Do It In Layers (think onion). It might take a bit longer, but it allows an easier (and less dramatic) transition. Start with 30 minute and go through as many drawers as possible. I was shocked when it only took me about 2 hours to go through my entire kitchen. However, I had decluttered my cabinets a month before, which gave me the idea of layers. How do you eat an elephant? One bit at a time.
3~ “Purgatory” Box (60 day or one year box.) Go through and instead of antagonizing over each item, if it is not a 7-10 (keeper) and not a 1-4 (garbage/thrift store) then it goes in the box. After your designated time period, then make the decision if it goes or stays. It causes less stress and allows you to declutter at a faster pace when you don’t have to debate the future of every item on the spot. It gives you time to think, but also allows you to be productive.
4~Stop Bringing Stuff In. If you are decluttering STOP allowing more stuff to fill that space. If you want to live with less, it requires you to stay away from Amazon or whatever is your poison.
5~Ask: Would you go out and purchase it today? If not, let it go.
6~Avoid Buying Organizers. You aren’t organizing; you are DECLUTTERING. There is a big difference. Yes, you can organize as you go, but refrain but just relocating items. Remember, this is about less stuff, not a change of residency.
7~Watch, Read or Listen to Inspiration. Stuck? Take 5-10 minutes to gain momentum. Watch a YouTube video (The Minimal Mom is a good one), listen to Podcasts or grab a free book from the library.
No matter where you are on the journey, “observer of this new craze” or “avid clutter buster,” there is room to grow. You decide what is best for your family. I challenge you to get a bit more intentional with your belongings. Don’t let your stuff own you. If it is not making your life better or more beautiful, then let it go.