As I declutter and create "negative" or empty space, there are some that want me to fill it. I want to Feng Shui everything. I want empty space. I have a dream of downsizing to a three bedroom home with 2 bathrooms. Part of me believes if we downsized it we be a mental game that would thwart the need others have to fill our empty space. I imagine the house being under 1500 sq. feet as I expect to have over night guests and would like to host gatherings. And I want the basement for two reasons: 1) I live in the Midwest and want it as a tornado shelter 2) Part of my simple living goals include learning to can and dry food so I can buy only those foods offered from local farmers at the farmers' market.
Having only that which brings me joy in my home, my relationships, and my schedule is liberating. Chores bring me joy. I am taking care of my loved ones when I clean the bathroom, scoop poop, do laundry, buy food, and pay bills. It's all good. I don't have to spend time with negative people or fill my schedule with things I detest. I choose.
I need to do a better job conveying the fact that I am on a minimalist mission and the benefits I have experienced so far because of it. There seems to be some pushback from people who choose differently. I'm really happy with my choices and my accomplishments.
For the record:
My house is much cleaner. It is much easier and quicker to pick up.
Laundry is done regularly and is not the stressor it use to be before my capsule wardrobe.
I enjoy being in my kitchen and using my beloved tools to cook my family tasty meals.
I have time to love on my animals without feeling guilty about what needs to be done around the house.
I can host guests spur of the moment with my guest room prepped and the bathroom clean.
I waste far less food following a meal plan because I'm far less tired from not spinning my wheels.
I have time to foster authentic friendships.
I have time for self care, even if I'm not sure yet what to do. I'm taking time to figure it out.
My family thinks I'm a rockstar superwoman and they're right!
Showing posts with label Combat Clutter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Combat Clutter. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Sunday, December 20, 2015
Winter Capsule Wardrobe Week #3
I've enjoyed the cooler, yet sunny, weather this week. I got to wear my sweaters and my coat. I recycle my black slacks frequently as they are super comfortable and a great weight. The jeans are getting more comfortable as I continue to heal from surgery.
Supporting My Love's Blue Mondays:
This outfit looked much better without one arm raised. I love the sweater.
Chilly day before Christmas allowed me to wear my green sweater. Doesn't get much sweeter.
Feel Good Friday did not disappoint. It's hard to feel bad looking this good.
I love all my clothes, I really do. Looking at these pictures, it's obvious that the last outfit compliments my shape the best by far. I will keep that in mind as I move forward with my wardrobe in the spring.
Thursday, December 17, 2015
Adventure Fund
It has become clear to me that I would much rather collect memories than things. I'm not talking about memorabilia either. I like to do stuff rather than have stuff. That boils down to asking myself whether the money I'm spending on stuff would be better saved so later I can have adventures. My mission in the New Year will be to stay under budget as much as possible so I can contribute the maximum amount to my adventure fund.
One way I can save money would be to get rid of the storage unit I have not touched this year. Yes, I have a storage unit. It's a great source of shame for me as I continue down my minimalism journey, but I have to remind myself that everything comes in time. The storage unit is now in my sights. There was an article I recently read here that gave the idea of considering the thrift store as one's storage unit. To that I say, "Great Idea!" I just figured out how I will purge the storage unit I have without feeling guilty. Genius!!
I've hung on to things largely because my two young adult children will be moving into their own places soon. I'm sure the money I've spent on the storage would purchase the items at the thrift store numerous times over. My older child has a tentative move out date of February. His application has been approved so I'm sure there will be those that argue the contents' time has finally come to be in use. My plan is to take pictures of the items and if my son and his girlfriend want anything, I will save it at our house. I will not have the additional bill in 2016.
My motivational question would be, "Would I rather put this money in my adventure fund?" or "Is an adventure more important than this expense/purchase?"
One way I can save money would be to get rid of the storage unit I have not touched this year. Yes, I have a storage unit. It's a great source of shame for me as I continue down my minimalism journey, but I have to remind myself that everything comes in time. The storage unit is now in my sights. There was an article I recently read here that gave the idea of considering the thrift store as one's storage unit. To that I say, "Great Idea!" I just figured out how I will purge the storage unit I have without feeling guilty. Genius!!
I've hung on to things largely because my two young adult children will be moving into their own places soon. I'm sure the money I've spent on the storage would purchase the items at the thrift store numerous times over. My older child has a tentative move out date of February. His application has been approved so I'm sure there will be those that argue the contents' time has finally come to be in use. My plan is to take pictures of the items and if my son and his girlfriend want anything, I will save it at our house. I will not have the additional bill in 2016.
My motivational question would be, "Would I rather put this money in my adventure fund?" or "Is an adventure more important than this expense/purchase?"
Sunday, December 6, 2015
Making the Most of the Thrift Store
I am making a conscious effort to reduce my carbon/environmental footprint. I wouldn't go so far to call myself an environmental minimalist, but I'm starting. I've decided to use the thrift store for as many items as I can. Online shopping like Amazon is extremely convenient, but I'm determined to try the local thrift place that is near by first. I don't go to the thrift store without a purpose. I have specific items and a plan to use them with a relatively short time frame. This is my way to combat clutter that takes up space. Recently I have purchased:
1) Ice Cube Trays - I took a friend's advice to freeze milk and yogurt for daily power smoothies. I actually went to a box store first and was not successful. It opened my mind to the possibilities.
2) A basket and bows - I used in making a raffle basket for a charity. The basket was $1 and so was the bag of bows. I used it immediate upon getting home. I wish I had snagged a picture, it looked great when it was done.
3) Wrapping tissue - It's new and still in its original packaging. With Christmas around the corner, I couldn't pass up the deal. I used it the next day while wrapping present.
4) Books - A friend of my daughter makes a version of an altered book by creating artwork on the pages of old books. Sometimes the art relates to the story on the page and other times, it does not. I gave them to her the next time I saw her and she was delighted.
5) T-Shirts for a themed quilt - You might have noticed I'm into a turtle theme. I would really like a t-shirt quilt along those lines sometime in the future. I have started looking now so I only use what I love and not the items that are available when the time comes. This requires some storage space but I've made that choice
6) Pearls - enough said, right? I wear them regularly.
As you can see, I had a plan for each purchase. I put the items to use within days, save the t-shirts for which I have a long term goal. I use this same philosophy when going to a regular store. The thrift store is wily because there's a sense that the item will not be there next time and certainly not for such a low price and there's always some use for it.
Go in to a store with a plan. Don't purchase what you don't need. Make use of the item(s) purchased asap.
1) Ice Cube Trays - I took a friend's advice to freeze milk and yogurt for daily power smoothies. I actually went to a box store first and was not successful. It opened my mind to the possibilities.
2) A basket and bows - I used in making a raffle basket for a charity. The basket was $1 and so was the bag of bows. I used it immediate upon getting home. I wish I had snagged a picture, it looked great when it was done.
3) Wrapping tissue - It's new and still in its original packaging. With Christmas around the corner, I couldn't pass up the deal. I used it the next day while wrapping present.
4) Books - A friend of my daughter makes a version of an altered book by creating artwork on the pages of old books. Sometimes the art relates to the story on the page and other times, it does not. I gave them to her the next time I saw her and she was delighted.
5) T-Shirts for a themed quilt - You might have noticed I'm into a turtle theme. I would really like a t-shirt quilt along those lines sometime in the future. I have started looking now so I only use what I love and not the items that are available when the time comes. This requires some storage space but I've made that choice
6) Pearls - enough said, right? I wear them regularly.
As you can see, I had a plan for each purchase. I put the items to use within days, save the t-shirts for which I have a long term goal. I use this same philosophy when going to a regular store. The thrift store is wily because there's a sense that the item will not be there next time and certainly not for such a low price and there's always some use for it.
Go in to a store with a plan. Don't purchase what you don't need. Make use of the item(s) purchased asap.
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