Practical Minimalism

Are you drowning in stuff without even realizing it? Do you run from your house or want to hide when it comes time to clean? This was me.

I would get home and immediately feel overwhelmed and defeated. At the time, I didn’t understand what was going on. I now know that I was overwhelmed by the stuff inside my house. If you had asked me back then if I was overwhelmed, I would have told you I wasn’t. If you had asked me if I had too much stuff, the answer would have also been a “no.”

In early 2018, I felt nudged to start going through what I had in my home. I was invited to get real with myself and began the decluttering process. Which hasn’t been the easiest; however, it’s been worth it. I created a home that my family loves. That we feel safe in. We can make memories without feeling the need to run and hide.

During the process I had fears that I wouldn’t have what we would need or that somehow, I would miss the stuff that I was getting rid of. It’s been four years now, and I can say with confidence that not once have I regretted getting rid of my stuff.

We are fortunate to live in a country where we have access to not only essentials but luxuries. And if you’re like me, I was stocking to the point of clutter. Art and craft supplies are another great examples of this. Minimalism is currently trendy; however, what about practical minimalism?

Practical minimalism focuses on having what is suitable for the season of life you are currently in, not just having minimal belongings. For example, minimalism would say have one serving spoon. However, if you’re in a season of hosting people and parties in your home, this won’t be practical for you. Hosting means you would most likely need more than one serving spoon. Identify when a season has ended and move on. (Back to the party-hosting season, if your hosting season is over, there is no shame or guilt for getting rid of your hosting gear, right?!)

Storing things we aren’t actively using is where we get weighed down. This is where identifying your season of life—when a season has ended and another season has begun—is helpful for decluttering.

What if you tried decluttering a space, even if it is a small space? Start slowly. You can always box up your stuff, label it, put a date on it and store it. In one year, if you still haven’t looked for anything in the boxes, you can confidently donate it. • Reduce stress and anxiety. • Improve your sleep. • Boost productivity and creativity. • Discover lost treasures. • Rid the home of allergens. • Save money. • Simpler to clean and tidy. • Moving isn’t a big deal because you don’t have an excess of belongings. • You have what you need and use what you have. • A simpler life.

5 Steps to Get You Started:

1. What space in your home is most overwhelming? Starting in the most challenging space brings the most peace and encouragement to continue. 2. Empty the space you’re working in (a drawer or the whole room). 3. Make a pile of “To Keep,” “Donate,” and “Trash.” 4. Hold each item in your hand. Do you actively use the item? Or is it no longer needed, damaged, doesn’t fit, isn’t used? Put the items you’re keeping back into the space. 5.Donate and trash the items you’re not keeping.