Embracing The Simpler Life

For me, simplification began at home.  In my eyes, our messy, cluttered house had become a monument to my failure as a homemaker.  Sometimes I thought that our home simply wasn't functioning for us as a family, but moving wasn't an option nor was it the solution.  We were stuck. Then, as I was reading an article "10 Ways to Be Happier in Your Own Home," I had a revelation.  The problem wasn't me, it wasn't our house (1450 sq. feet), it was our lifestyle.  More specifically, it was our stuff!  It was like my eyes were opened to all of the clutter around me, and I saw it clearly for the first time.  All of these things that I thought I needed were just clogging up our home... and my LIFE!  They had to go.

But, where to begin?  Pinterest, of course.  I started reading every article and blog post I could find on reducing clutter.  What I learned is that simplifying is so much more than getting rid of some of your stuff.  It is an amazing journey that begins with the things that surround you and ends up working in your heart. 

Are you intrigued yet?  Are you thinking you might like to embrace a simpler life?  Here is my advice to you as you begin your journey:

1. Do your research.  Cleaning out seems kind of elementary, but it is more challenging than you may expect.  Getting started can be especially difficult.  But, how do you eat an Elephant?  One bite at a time.  Preparing yourself before hand can help you to know which bites to take and when.  Plus, it is inspiring to read how the process has changed other people's lives.

2.  Identify problem areas.  Look around you.  Which parts of your home are not functioning for you? For example, one problem area in our home has always been the kitchen table.  We can't eat at it because it's always covered with booksacks, purses, planners, computer cases, etc. This knowledge guided me as I searched for a solution.

3.  Conduct a purpose inventory.  This is so important when your clutter includes pieces of furniture.  At our house, if it doesn't have a purpose it either gets reassigned or it has to go.

4.  Set your limits.  Decide how much you can keep before you begin.  Setting a goal will help you to successfully reduce the number of things you are holding on to.  This is where some of that research will come in handy.  An example would be a capsule wardrobe plan such as Project 333. 

5. Prioritize your projects.  Don't tackle every problem area at once!  Make a list and number your projects according to priority.  Determine which areas are not functioning.  Consider which areas your family needs the most and place them at the top of your list.  My number 1 was our kitchen.  I needed that area to function on a daily basis as soon as possible.  Figure out your top priorities and start there.

6. Take small bites. You don't have to clean out every cabinet and drawer in a room at once.  Start small.  This is how I tackle my refrigerator--Gross!  I'm much more likely to clean one shelf than I am the entire fridge.  Right about the time my motivation starts to wane, I'm done with the shelf!

7.  Finish what you start.  This is one of the best pieces of advice I have read.  Do not allow yourself to move on to another project until you've finished the one before it.  That is why it is so important to keep your jobs small and manageable.

8.  Purge like this: trash, trial, treasure.  When you begin to purge items from your problem area start with trash.  That's easy.  (P.S.  If it's broken, it's trash.)  Next go through your remaining items and divide them into two groups:  trial and treasure.  "Trial" items are those that you intend to donate.  I consider these items to be removed on a trial basis.  They aren't truly gone until I bring them to the donation center.  You have a small window in which to change your mind.  The treasure pile is exactly what it sounds like.  These are those items that you treasure or those that you use every day.

9.  Purge again.  You'll be surprised to find that there is even more you can weed out, and to see that many trial items that you went back for are on the chopping block again.

10.  Be brutally honest.  Items don't have feelings, but you do.  Often times we keep things because of what they tell us about ourselves.  Some items represent an idealized version of ourselves.  This is why we keep old clothes that are too small for us.  They fit the person that we wish we were, not who we actually are.  In the end, these things actually hinder our ability to achieve our goals.  They keep us looking backward instead of moving forward.  Embracing a simpler life means releasing complicated illusions and looking at yourself and your life for what they really are.  (I told you the journey could get kind of deep.)

So, are you thinking the simpler life might be for you?  I definitely encourage you to give it a try.  But be careful!  Simplicity can be habit forming. 


Got any tips to add?  Thoughts?  Leave a comment!