Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Giving minimilism a try...

I ran across a post on a minimalism blog the other day titled, "7 common problems solved by owning less." It struck such a nerve with me, that I ended up browsing their site for the rest of the evening. I couldn't help but relate with how freeing it must feel to get rid of so much unneeded stuff! Don't get me wrong, I had my doubts and reservations, but they were quickly thrown out once I read just how practical it could be! Read the blog below if you wish:

http://www.becomingminimalist.com/2012/04/16/7-common-problems-solved-by-owning-less/

1) First of all, the thought of getting rid of 80% of my wardrobe freaked me out at first, because I am so frugal that I hate to think that I would be getting rid of something that I may have to go repurchase someday, but once I really thought about it, it seemed like such a great idea! I hate the feeling every morning of being reminded of how much of my clothes still don't fit me almost a year after having my son, but in reality, they hardly even fit before. If I can slim down my closet to only the items that fit me fabulously, or will fit fabulously with minor to moderate work, I think I would be so much happier. And when, or if, I ever slim down enough to get some new threads, I can go buy a few key pieces that I can wear long term and look great!


2) I will be the first to admit that I am not the greatest housekeeper. I get so overwhelmed with all of the "stuff" that is needing to be washed, cleaned, dusted, swept, mopped, scrubbed...you get the picture. And this crap just keeps accumulating and causing me more stress! I look at some of my friends' houses and their stuff looks so nicely arranged and decorated, and I get frustrated with how much clutter I have lying around. One of my main problems is that I am way too emotionally invested in my things. I have a really hard time discarding items that were gifted to me or remind me of someone special. The passing of my mother has sent me over the edge and I have a hard time getting rid of anything now, in fear that I someday will miss that item and how much it meant to me. I have decided that my sanity is not worth salvaging these items and I really need to come up with a way that I can maintain my memories and still function in a clean home. I think I will devote a spot in my home to keep my most prized possessions from my mother and display them proudly. I think I will also keep a small box somewhere that I can keep some other more personal items that I can look through when I need to. Hopefully, that will be the first step to detaching myself emotionally from my things and focusing on more important ways to spend my day! Here are some great ways that I can honor my mom's memory while simplifying my stuff: http://www.becomingminimalist.com/2010/09/29/how-to-simplify-your-stuff-and-honor-your-memories/

3) I think when you see how little you actually NEED, your priorities shift to the most important things in life. I read a quote somewhere that said something to the tune of, "What's easier than wishing that you had things that you do not have, is to not want them in the first place." Maybe my need for stuff, and my dissatisfaction for not having them, would be lessened if I could learn to be happy with less. And the idea of not spending so much time, energy, and money on things I don't need will really motivate me to spend more time, energy, and money on the things that to matter. Here is another post from their blog that talks about easy ways to get started becoming a minimalist: http://www.becomingminimalist.com/2011/12/05/sample-living-with-less/

4) Trying to baby-proof for Hudson and thinking of the lessons I want him learning as he grows up has also made me want to really start trimming down on some of the stuff we have lying around. I don't want him having so many toys that he is overwhelmed and has a hard time occupying his mind without something stimulating to do it for him. I want him to be creative and rely on his own imagination to keep himself busy. I think it is natural for a new mom to want to buy all of the latest gadgets for their new little one, but I have quickly learned that not only is most of it pretty useless, but it is so quickly outgrown! I could have saved a lot of time and money by borrowing items or by just being creative and doing without, and he would have been just fine. Here are 7 ways to prepare for a new baby without shopping: http://www.becomingminimalist.com/2011/11/08/7-ways-to-prepare-for-a-new-baby-without-shopping/
I also want to limit the amount of cupboard locks I put on things and allow him some freedom to explore and discover the house. One item in particular has been on my mind lately, as I have been trying to find a new home for it since he now knows how to open the lower cupboard doors. It is a small hand-held mixer that I use occasionally to mix up scrambled eggs. It is actually quite a cool contraption, but since it has a sharp blade, I cannot leave it in his reach anymore. The more I thought about it though, the more I realized that I really don't need it. It is one of those "time saving" devices that is supposed to make my life easier, and while it does a fabulous job of beating my eggs, and is a bit faster than using the traditional fork. the time I spend afterward to take it all apart, wash it, dry it, and put it away, it really is not that time saving!!! Not to mention all of the stress of having to dig past it to get to something that is further back in the cupboard! I have decided that it will be something that will have to go!

5) And finally, living with less ties in perfectly with the goals I have for getting out of debt and living a more peaceful life. I am drooling right now at how much fun it will be to have the garage sale of all garage sales this summer and make some cash to put toward our home! I am also getting excited about adjusting my priorities to try to live on even less than we already are. I think I will love the home I am in even more if there isn't so much stuff piled in it to wash and clean and maintain. It will be a good excuse to focus less on going crazy for holidays and parties, and focus more on the real reason that we are celebrating. I am excited to be able to SLEEP on black Friday instead of standing in the Oregon rain to buy a bunch of crap for people that they don't need. I am excited to be able to look in my closets and cupboards and be able to see what I need and what I already have! I am just so excited to see how these changes in my life can really make it more relaxing, rewarding, and stress-free. Are there any ideas that you all have for learning to live on less? I'd love to hear them!

4 comments:

  1. You are one smart cookie! Let the spring cleaning begin!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have been on a mission to get rid of "stuff" for quite some time. I have done a fairly good job of it. But that whole clothes thing? Get rid of 80%? I could easily do that and not ever notice BUT I haven't. As many times as I have gone to do it I just worry, what if I am super skinny one day and all these clothes are like NEW to me?? I really need to do it, please motivate me! :) You are on a great, inspiring path!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sarah, I am just starting to wrap my mind around this idea myself, so I am not in any position to give advice, but here are some thoughts that have crossed my mind when thinking about it:

      1) I am definately a girl who has lived with quantity over quality, I love a good bargain and I often will buy several in different colors if I find something cheap! But honestly, over time, I realize that the cheaper the item is, the less great it looks on me. I really need to try and pick out fewer items of better quality that I will actually WANT to put on! Meanwhile, a lot of those articles are just taking up space as I dig past them to get to the things I actually wear. I read that the average person wears 20% of their wardrobe 80% of the time...that rings so true for me!! I'd love less laundry and just focus on the pieces I wear on a regular basis!

      2) Did those "skinny" clothes actually fit well and look good when they actually "fit"? I have like a million pairs of jeans in all sizes, but I really only wear a couple of my favorites. I say keep one or two in each size and give the rest to someone who actually NEEDS them NOW!! The more I thought about it too, the more I realized even if I did eventually end up fitting in them again, I probably still wouldn't wear them that often.

      3) Have they/will they go out of style by the time it is time to start wearing them again? I have several sweaters that I bought at Gap Outlet a few years back that I actually love. They don't fit (and they haven't for some time) around my chest anymore but I refuse to let them go!! But then once I really took a look at them I realized they were somewhat faded, had shrunk a bit from wash, were shorter than I usually like to wear, and they could be EASILY replaced when the time came with newer styles and colors. I hate to think that I will have to pay to replace something that I am throwing out, but if I live with this new "only buy it if I need it and I love it" mentality, I will actually be spending less on clothes than I already do :)

      4) Worst case, put them in a box and visit them in a few months or a year. If you still want to hang on to them, close the box back up and keep them. But most likely you wont have missed them, and probably still wont fit them, so they can be sold or donated and you can look in your closet every morning at clothes that all fit you and all look fabulous on you!

      Maybe we should start a clothing swap or something. Get a whole bunch of gals together and bring what we aren't wearing and get some new stuff in return!!

      Good luck :)

      Delete
    2. Yeah, that is a good idea. I know I kept thinking while I was reading this, I should make you come over and keep me entertained and on track while I go through all my clothes and you can have first dibs on anything I'm getting rid of. I am absolutely certain I only wear 20% of my clothes. :)

      Delete