I can assure you - I AM NOT A MINIMALIST! However, I did just recently read a book called Miss Minimalist: Inspiration to Downsize, Declutter and Simplify by Francine Jay that has REALLY had me thinking. I'd like to believe this has had an impact on my buying choices and, as the author writes about in her book, I'm thinking with more of a "saving mindset." I have more of a sense of the power of adding the money I'd spend on an item to my bank account than having that item in my home.
Marketers have us believing that "more is better." We should be happy having too many clothes in our closets, too many books on our shelves, too many tchotchkes on our mantel, and items we don't even use or remember stored in our garages. Marketers and advertisers have us trained to buy the latest and greatest, even if the "old" wasn't broken and believing that if we don't have the "next best thing" we will be unhappy.
Think about it, I bet you can name at least 10 items you've purchased in the last 6 months that you REALLY didn't need. And I bet you now find yourself looking for a place to store and keep some of these items.
For the past few years I've tried to follow the "one in one out rule," meaning as soon as I bring something into my home I have to get rid of something I currently have. On more than one occasion, trying to figure out what I'd give up for the new item I wish to bring in has stopped me from buying the item in question. However, this new minimalist idea (new to me anyhow) has me questioning every single purchase with more conviction and strength.
Recently I was in a store and saw a cute tan handbag. I REALLY loved it and thought I would get a lot of use our of it. However I avoided the purchase because my mind flashed to the three beige handbags already at home. Realizing I didn't want to get rid of any of them I walked away from the shiny new bag with very little effort.
Last week I had someone over to my home to give me a bid on cleaning. I'm having an out of town guest at the end of the month, and I decided having someone in to clean before my company arrived would really help me out and keep me calm since I have such a busy July planned already. As the cleaning service owner came in to survey my home, she commented right away on the fact that little time would need to be spent in each room dusting due to the fact that I have so few tchotchkes. I've just never been a huge collector of tchotchkes. I don't like the clutter around my home and I don't like dusting them and moving them all to clean the flat surfaces of my home. I never stopped to think that having few decorative items and collections sitting around my home would save me money. At the end of the meeting she told me that not having a lot of items sitting around to move saved me about $50.00 off my bid.
In her book, Francine Jay spends a lot of time talking about paring down your wardrobe to the the very basics and changing your look with jewelry, scarves and other accessories. I believe her points on this are very valid and thought provoking. Several months ago I went through my own closets and made some tough choices. I will admit only having clothes in my closet that make me feel good when I wear them and having fewer to select from as I get ready for work each morning has eliminated a lot of my stress. I am now able to clearly see what is hanging in my closet -- and because I got rid of about half of my shoes, I can quickly pick a pair and get out the door quickly in the morning.
Spend some time over the next few months and look through each closet, drawer and shelf that you have with a critical eye.
Think about what you haven't used in the last year and consider getting it our of your physical space. Decluttering your space actually causes you to have a clutter free mind, giving you more peace and serenity. If you have the time and any interest in the minimalist lifestyle, I'd highly recommend Francis Jay's book. It will get you thinking!
No comments:
Post a Comment