There is a saying I really like,
I wish I could say this was true of our house. Don't get me wrong, we have lots of beautiful things and plenty of useful ones too, but unfortunately, we also have quite a few that don't fit that criteria.
Compared to some people, we actually don't have that much stuff. Living on a relatively modest budget helps with that. But still, clutter creeps in and accumulates, eating away at your space despite the best of intentions.
If I look carefully, everywhere I turn, I can see objects we don't use and don't love. Cds we never listen to, books we'll never read again, boxes full of mystery stuff, kitchen utensils we never use, clothes that will never fit again and the list goes on...
Our house is spacious and fairly free of clutter but our current storage spaces are getting full and as we grow our family, what comes in far exceeds what goes out. Inevitably, the stuff that is currently neatly contained will overflow, more furniture will be bought, more storage will be built and the mystery boxes will keep piling up.
I have been reading a few blogs by people adopting a "minimalist" lifestyle and I have to say, I am a bit hooked on the idea. These people are doing it the extreme way, clearing out 80% of their stuff and only leaving what is absolutely essential.
They claim to feel lighter, happier, richer and better able to focus on what is important: experiences, health, family, passions...
I'm not proposing to do go all the way (yet) but reading these blogposts has gotten me inspired to lighten up. The main message is that we are not our things and rather than adding value to our lives, 'things' demand time, energy and money to be bought, maintained, organised and stored.
I would rather have less than organise more.
As I begin my de-cluttering journey, so many thoughts and emotions go around in my head. How do I buy less with children? Where do I start? What should I do with gifts/sentimental objects? What will I do with the things I want to get rid of? Where do I stop? How long will it take? What am I trying to achieve? Am I allowed (to be somewhat counter-cultural)?
I am starting to formulate answers for a lot of these questions and more, based on beginning the process and on other people's experience. Some of these answers are quite surprising and I look forward to sharing them through my writing.
Less is definitely more.
“If you want a golden rule that will fit everything, this is it: Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” - William Morris.
I wish I could say this was true of our house. Don't get me wrong, we have lots of beautiful things and plenty of useful ones too, but unfortunately, we also have quite a few that don't fit that criteria.
Compared to some people, we actually don't have that much stuff. Living on a relatively modest budget helps with that. But still, clutter creeps in and accumulates, eating away at your space despite the best of intentions.
If I look carefully, everywhere I turn, I can see objects we don't use and don't love. Cds we never listen to, books we'll never read again, boxes full of mystery stuff, kitchen utensils we never use, clothes that will never fit again and the list goes on...
Our house is spacious and fairly free of clutter but our current storage spaces are getting full and as we grow our family, what comes in far exceeds what goes out. Inevitably, the stuff that is currently neatly contained will overflow, more furniture will be bought, more storage will be built and the mystery boxes will keep piling up.
I have been reading a few blogs by people adopting a "minimalist" lifestyle and I have to say, I am a bit hooked on the idea. These people are doing it the extreme way, clearing out 80% of their stuff and only leaving what is absolutely essential.
They claim to feel lighter, happier, richer and better able to focus on what is important: experiences, health, family, passions...
I'm not proposing to do go all the way (yet) but reading these blogposts has gotten me inspired to lighten up. The main message is that we are not our things and rather than adding value to our lives, 'things' demand time, energy and money to be bought, maintained, organised and stored.
I would rather have less than organise more.
As I begin my de-cluttering journey, so many thoughts and emotions go around in my head. How do I buy less with children? Where do I start? What should I do with gifts/sentimental objects? What will I do with the things I want to get rid of? Where do I stop? How long will it take? What am I trying to achieve? Am I allowed (to be somewhat counter-cultural)?
I am starting to formulate answers for a lot of these questions and more, based on beginning the process and on other people's experience. Some of these answers are quite surprising and I look forward to sharing them through my writing.
Less is definitely more.
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| Light and air fill the space without taking up any. |
Before you begin chucking things out, it is important to distinguish between "clutter" and "disorder." It is common to see and feel clutter simply when things are not where they belong. When books, clothes and objects are on their proper shelves, in their drawers or out of sight in closets, the view inspires a sensation of peace, serenity and beauty.
ReplyDeleteI don't see how keeping things becomes an expense but I do believe that hasty disposal can cause spending when missing things must be re-bought. For example, keeping a variety of clothing sizes has been handy when my weight fluctuates so I say NO WAY to handsomely paid "closet consultants" who advise getting rid of a garment one hasn't worn for 5 years.
We know I was raised by someone who lived in the same apartment for 59 years, a neat time capsule of sorts, and that I in turn have saved many items for the future generations who are now among us and using them, giving them a new life. I don't think anyone could accuse me of living in clutter though. This is because everything is in its place causing neither disorder nor clutter (which to me means having so much stuff that order is impossible to achieve).
A time will come though when I have to part with many items and it will be difficult for me. A colleague wisely suggested I simply take photos of what I might miss since photos save space compared to tall stacks of t-shirts.
You won't see me living in pure minimalist fashion (though by American standards, I already do) because I don't want to feel as if I'm in a cold Quest apartment.
Until then, I will acquire as little as possible, recycle and rotate items in order to enjoy them in new ways.
Recently when reading a college alumni magazine, I learned of a book on tidying up to "spark joy" so I'm listing the reference info below:
"Japanese cleaning consultant Marie Kondo takes tidying to a whole new level, promising that if you properly simplify and organize your home once, you’ll never have to do it again ... With detailed guidance for determining which items in your house “spark joy” (and which don’t), this international bestseller featuring Tokyo’s newest lifestyle phenomenon will help you clear your clutter and enjoy the unique magic of a tidy home—and the calm, motivated mindset it can inspire."
http://tidyingup.com
http://www.npr.org/books/titles/363739801/the-life-changing-magic-of-tidying-up-the-japanese-art-of-decluttering-and-organ