A Journey to Simplicity

We've been on a journey to simplicity over the last year. It used to feel as if we were carrying this heavy weight and we couldn't figure out what it was. Our home was made up of tangled cords from electronics we never used and more clothing and food storage containers than we knew what to do with. As soon as we started moving things to paint our walls white, we realized we didn't want to put things back. We found that the more we donated to Goodwill and threw away, the more of that weight was lifted. Less stuff means less to clean and more focus is put on the things we love that we could now display prominately. If you're wanting to move towards a more simplified life, here are some things to consider:

1. Start small

Begin with a small project like going through your sock drawer. Throw out socks with holes or no mate.

2. Closet clutter

Do you really need 20 belts and all that outdated costume jewelry?

Donate any clothing you have not worn in a year. If you are not sure if you can part with it, put it in a storage bin out of sight to give you time to decide (along with any sentimental clothing like wedding gowns). If you come upon it later and realize you didn't miss it, let it go.

Buy nice wooden hangers to display your clothing. Once organized, you will find getting ready in the morning quicker and less frustrating as you have simplified your choices.

3. Kind kitchen

Will you ever need that many mixing bowls? Do you really need to keep the lid for that storage bowl you never did find? There's really no reason to have mismatched dishes and coffee mugs when you can donate them and get a set of matching white dinnerware. Will you ever use that fine china that is collecting dust? If you get rid of the china you can get rid of the china cabinet. All those plastic cooking utensils and scratched Teflon pans need to go and be replaced with bamboo utensils and a good cast iron skillet (for health and clutter reasons). 

4. Better bathroom

Have you checked the dates on the medicine in the medicine cabinet?

5. Lovely living room

Will you ever really read that book again? Do you really need that oversized couch or would individual chairs be better at opening up the room? Have you always longed to use your fireplace but can't because there is a giant flat screen TV sitting above it? 

5.  Craigslist cash

You don't have to donate or grow out all of your things. You can always have a garage sale or sell on Craigslist. Those never worn brand name shoes with the tag still on them or that giant flat screen television that you never watched and was too big for your living room will get a good home and some extra cash for your effort in the end.