Think-Back-On-It Thursday #8 - Decluttering

By
Now that I've written 495 posts for Maximum Gratitude, Minimal Stuff, I'm in the process of revising my older writing. And some of those older posts are quite useful.


But many of you are newer readers and have never seen posts that were written in 2018, 2019, or even last summer or fall. And if you've been a faithful reader for quite a while (thank you), you've probably forgotten. I wrote the stuff, and I've forgotten parts of it!


It's worth visiting what we've written, read, or thought before, as both a reminder and for new insights. So on selected Thursdays, instead of posting new content, I'm going to direct you toward posts of the past that I think are worth a re-read.


journey



Journey to a simpler life.


Decluttering can be a giant job that takes a lot of time and energy, and for that reason most of us need a lot of inspiration and encouragement to keep going until the task is done. Here are some articles that will provide that. (They'd be good to share with friends and family too!)




Why Unused Items Aren't Harmless, Plus 7 Easy Ways to Clear the Clutter, from August 7, 2020

Clutter robs us and our homes of vital, creative, happy energy. But these seven easy ways to remove clutter set you free to live your best life.


Yes, You Can Declutter Gifts – and Here's How, from April 16, 2021

It's okay to remove any item from your home, even if it was a gift from someone you care about. Here are thoughts and questions that let you overcome guilt and keep the happy memories.


Minimalism Lets You Embrace the Possibilities, from August 3, 2020

Coco Chanel advised, "Take one thing off." You can remove one thing from your home or schedule today – perhaps a piece of furniture, a collection, or a time-waster – and feel more calm, energetic, and ready for life's surprises.


5 Reasons Your Life Will Be Better If You Simplify, from May 3, 2021

Figuring out how to get to less may be the easy part. But if you want the results to be long-lasting, you need a compelling reason to completely change your life.


The Difference Between Minimalism and Decluttering, and Why It Matters, from May 7, 2021

What is minimalism? More than decluttering, it's a counter-cultural lifestyle that chooses meaning and value over accumulation and busyness. Here's why you should explore it.





PUBLISHING IN JULY:  The revised and expanded 3rd edition of The Minimalist Wardrobe!*  Pre-order a Kindle copy now and save 25%.


* This blog is reader-supported. If you buy through my links, I may earn a small commission.


MINIMALIST WARDROBE 3rd ed. book
It's a modern consumer belief that we need a large wardrobe to be interesting.  But limits encourage creativity, and a smaller closet doesn't have to be boring or restrictive.


In The Minimalist Wardrobe we learn:

  • how to build a simpler wardrobe
  • how to make decluttering decisions
  • how to let your closet inspire you
  • how less is more when it comes to creating your personal style
  • how three words can help you define your preferences
  • how a signature outfit might increase your peace, poise, and productivity

... and more!  The 3rd edition of my best-selling book (packed with 7 additional chapters and 40 pages of new content) can be your guide to a wardrobe that passes the "feel good test" and lets you wear your favorite things every day. 


The release date for both the Kindle and the paperback editions is July 1.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

45 Useful Tips to Help You Responsibly Declutter Unwanted Items

By
Image
Do you ever drive down the highway or out on a country road and see someone's old couch or mattress?  When driving through the orchards and croplands around my town, I sometimes see stuff like this in an irrigation ditch.  I can't believe people do this, and leave it for the farmers to clean up or pay for disposal. Tossing stuff you no longer need or want into a dumpster isn't minimalism – it's the equivalent of littering , just like the people who throw things out on the side of the road.  It may seem simple, but it's not responsible or good for the environment. Unfortunately, some of what we remove from our homes is garbage , and there's no place for it but the landfill.  But when getting rid of clutter means mindlessly tossing it into the garbage, it becomes too easy to buy more and fill our homes up all over again.   By becoming more accountable, we change our minds about purchasing.  I believe that when you thoughtfully declutter, you'll become very sen
Read more

12 Tips to Try When You're Frustrated with Decluttering

By
Image
I won't sugar-coat it – decluttering is a hard job.  The more you're stressed and challenged by your home – the more you need the benefits that come with decluttering – the bigger the job probably is.  The advantages are real, but so is the frustration.  At times, you may feel tired, sad, or overwhelmed.  Letting go of stuff requires constant decision-making, and sometimes you'll need a break. And you deserve one!  You're not just decluttering, you're in the process of changing your mindset and your habits , and that's hard for anyone.  So when you feel like the job is too big, or that you should have everything under control, remember that no one has it all under control.  We're human, which means that we often have to learn the hard way.  But the victory will be even sweeter because you made it through the highs, the lows, and everything in between. When you feel like giving up, on decluttering or anything else, be gentle with yourself, and say goodbye to
Read more

Why You Should Make "Less is More" Your Mantra for Life

By
Image
Maybe you've heard the saying popularized by architect Mies van der Rohe in 1947:  "Less is more." It's an oxymoron – a phrase that seems to contradict itself.  Others include "old news," "open secret," "unbiased opinion," and "awfully good."  Or the lament, "Parting is such sweet sorrow." What does "less is more" mean?  It's wonderfully open-ended.  Answers to that are as varied as the people who reply.  Consider: Less anxiety, more peace. Less debt, more savings. Less busywork, more substance. Less clutter, more space. Less comparison, more contentment. Less sugar, more vegetables. Voluntary simplicity Back in the 1990s, a fair number of Americans realized that the continual quest for more and better was stressing them out and keeping them from creating lives of purpose.  After the consumerist binge of the yuppie-era 80s, some started wondering if the big house, flashy car, exotic vacation, and Rolex we
Read more

Why You Should Try Wearing the Same Clothes Every Day

By
Image
Wearing the same clothes every day would get boring, wouldn't it? A long time ago, I had a job that required a uniform, and I have to say it did make life easier .  I had three copies of my work outfit, and there was never a question about what to wear.  I never worried whether my clothes were stylish or "right," because everyone else wore the same thing. The same argument has been used in public and private schools in favor of student uniforms.  Rather than constant worries about fashion and comparisons and dress codes, a uniform makes everything simple.  It's one less thing to think about in the complex life of a student. Many people argue that clothes make a statement about who you are.  "I express myself through my clothes" is a comment I've often heard, usually from women.  The idea of a uniform scares them, because how will they make themselves noticeable or unique ? I think we might be imagining some sort of Handmaid's Tale society, where we
Read more

The Hygge Way to Clean and Declutter

By
Image
When I returned home from a weekend trip recently, I immediately unpacked my suitcase, washed a load of dirty clothes, and put everything away.  It made me feel settled and at home.  It was comfortable. A few days later, I felt a bit restless, so I set my writing aside and started cleaning.  I cleaned the refrigerator door and wiped the kitchen counters.  I swept the porch and mopped the floor in our small entry hall.  I decluttered a few old papers from my file box.  It felt good. Self-soothing with home care For me, cleaning, organizing, and decluttering are a form of self-care.  Tidying gives me satisfaction.  It makes me feel that I'm managing my life and ready for what's next. A hygge home isn't dirty.  It's not cluttered with garbage, dirty dishes, or things we never use or put away.  It's not covered in a thick layer of dust.  So don't decide that pouring a glass of wine, lighting a candle, and snuggling under a blanket is hygge, but running the vacuum is
Read more