Simplifying My Cluttered Life
Remember that time I found myself tearing apart my closet, desperately searching for an outfit, while my husband Nate watched on in frustration as my “stuff” spilled out everywhere? Yeah, me too. That was my wake-up call. A messy space equals a messy mind, and I was drowning in clutter. Something had to change.
Quarantine was the perfect opportunity for me to reevaluate my lifestyle and take steps towards a more minimalist approach. You see, I’ve realized that a clean, organized home doesn’t just look nice – it can also improve your mood, reduce anxiety and stress, and save you valuable time. Plus, with COVID-19 restrictions slowly lifting, I’m excited to have the space for more social gatherings (when it’s safe, of course).
After reaching out to my friend Dany, the founder of Spatial Solutions, I dove headfirst into the daunting task of decluttering. It wasn’t easy, but with her guidance, I was able to transform our once-cluttered office into a tranquil, minimalist oasis. And let me tell you, the results have been life-changing.
Embracing the Essentials
One of the biggest hurdles I faced was letting go of things I had an emotional attachment to or felt “sort of” useful. As Dany so eloquently put it, “If you truly love something, you’re like, ‘I don’t want anything else.’ But if you have a bunch of ‘medium’ stuff that kind of fits but doesn’t fit well, that’s why you end up investing in nicer pieces.”
Holding onto the “medium” items was exactly what was keeping me in the cycle of accumulating more and more stuff. I had to ask myself, “Do I really love this, or am I just keeping it out of habit?” The truth is, when you strip everything down to the essentials, everything becomes so much easier.
Take my beauty closet, for example. It was packed to the brim with products, but I was only using about 10% of them. Dany’s advice was spot-on: “That’s taking up so much real estate. You can get rid of the deep closet stuff because it’s not selling – it’s been too long. You should be able to move and breathe more easily.”
Organizing for Clarity
Once I started editing out the clutter, Dany suggested grouping similar items together to create more space, organization, and ease of access. As she put it, “If all your stuff is just in one room with no organization whatsoever, then it’s SO much harder to find what you’re looking for. You end up wasting time looking for something that’s not there in the first place.”
By categorizing my belongings into different sections – beauty products, clothes, fitness equipment, etc. – each item had a designated space, and my mind felt less cluttered as a result. No more frantically searching for that one elusive item!
Dany also warned me against the trap of simply finding more places to put things, as that can actually make the clutter problem even worse. “You’re just going to have to do the most uncomfortable edit that you’ve ever done so that you can breathe again. Because there’s just too much. You think that you need it, but you don’t – you don’t need any of it.”
Finding Joy in Less
As I worked through the decluttering process, one of the biggest realizations I had was the difference between loving something and just feeling “medium” about it. Dany’s advice really stuck with me: “When you truly love something, you’re like ‘I don’t want anything else.’ But if you have a bunch of ‘medium’ things, that’s why you end up investing in nicer pieces.”
It was a lightbulb moment. I had been holding onto all these “medium” items, thinking I might need them someday, but in reality, they were just weighing me down and preventing me from truly enjoying the things I loved. Once I let go of those middle-of-the-road items, I felt so much lighter and more focused on the essentials.
And when it came to sentimental items, Dany encouraged me to really examine whether I still felt a strong connection to them. As she said, “Sentimental value is REAL, and sometimes it’s really hard to get rid of certain things just because they hold certain memories or experiences.” But she also reminded me that our feelings can change over time, and something that was meaningful a year ago might not be as important today.
A Home That Sparks Joy
Throughout this whole process, I’ve learned that minimalism is about so much more than just decluttering and organizing. It’s about creating a space that truly reflects your values and brings you joy. As Dany said, “When you simply edit everything down, everything’s just going to be easier.”
By surrounding myself with the things I love and letting go of the rest, I’ve noticed a significant improvement in my mood and overall well-being. I no longer feel anxious or stressed by the clutter, and I have more time to focus on the things that truly matter, like spending quality time with my family and friends.
In fact, my husband Nate and I have made excellent progress on decluttering not only our office space, but our entire home, including our dog Monkey’s living area. The hard work of purging is done, and I’m proud of myself for sticking to it. Now, Dany is helping us figure out the room flow and the mindful placement of our remaining belongings – the fun part!
As I look around our minimalist oasis, I can’t help but feel a sense of peace and contentment. Sure, the journey wasn’t always easy, but the rewards have been immeasurable. If you’re also feeling weighed down by clutter and searching for a more intentional way of living, I encourage you to take that first step towards a minimalist lifestyle. Trust me, your mind, body, and soul will thank you.
And who knows, maybe you’ll even have more space for those post-COVID gatherings you’ve been dreaming of. After all, less stuff means more room for the people and experiences that truly matter. So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to start editing your home for a minimalist lifestyle!