Time for a Reset: How to Live Fearlessly with Less

By
Our culture has really done a number on us.  We've been conditioned to believe that luxuries are necessities and that we never have enough.  We take for granted things that most of the world doesn't even dream of having. 


We all know that most of the world lives with far less than what we have in our homes right now.  They might be happy with some basic shelter, a few changes of clothes, two or three simple meals a day, clean water, and some education and medical care for their children.  Forget about TVs, computers, iPhones, knickknacks, or overflowing closets.


But we also forget that only a few decades ago, our parents and grandparents enjoyed happy lives with much less than we think we're entitled to.  Not that long ago, people lived without air conditioners, dishwashers, microwave ovens, computers, video game consoles, Disney cruises, and more.  I can remember living without those things.




winter living room



The challenge


A minimalist is someone who lives with what's necessary, instead of falling for our culture's hype.  So here's an audacious minimalist decluttering goal:  Cut it in half.


8 pairs of jeans?  Cut it in half.  12 tee shirts?  Cut it in half.  6 extra blankets in the linen closet?  Keep half.  Three sets of dishes?  Cut by 50% – keep your favorite versatile set plus the dinner or dessert plates from a second set.


Cut your mugs in half, your spatulas, your shoes, your jewelry.  Your wall art and knickknacks.  Books, games, throw pillows.  Restaurant meals and fancy coffee drinks.  Hobbies, committees, and hours in front of a screen.


The choices of what to keep will show you your priorities, and I guarantee that if you're like the typical American you'll still have plenty.







The fear


This may sound extreme and impossible to you, so why not test what I'm saying?  Don't go crazy all at once – simply cut one category of things in half.  Can you manage with half of your knives, or half of your towels?  Give it a trial for a week or two, and see what you discover.  If the number is truly too small for practicality, increase it a bit.  Find out what you really need.  Then test with another category.


You may rightly ask, "Karen, have you done this?"  It's been a long time since I cut my belongings in half.  I don't have a dozen shirts for winter, or six pairs of winter shoes, or four winter jackets.  I don't have two purses.  I don't have two sets of dishes or a block of knives in multiple sizes.  I own half that, and it's enough.


It might not be quite enough for you, but removing 25% (or even just 10%) of what you own will give you a taste of the benefits.


Here's one thing I know for sure.  When you live with less, you can live without fear, because you know you have what you need.





The results


This project will let you gain insight into how much we all buy that we don't wind up using more than once or twice, how much wasted money that represents, and what the environmental costs are.  It will let you see how often you say yes when you don't really want to.


Cut your stuff in half, and you may find yourself able to demolish debt, increase savings, give to causes you care about, and still have more money at the end of every month.  More time too.


See if your home doesn't feel spacious, or even too large.  See if it's not easier to keep clean.  See if you ever struggle to find an item you need or create a place for it to belong.  And see if you have more focus and less stress.


This sounds like magic, but there's nothing really magical about "cut it in half."  Reducing by half is a tool that helps you pay attention and question whether the things you have and want and do are really necessary, or if they're taking resources away from what matters more to you.


Once you step outside of our culture's message of "more, more, more," you'll stop feeling so bored and discontented.  You'll notice and enjoy the comfort you live with, and you'll realize that you have better things to do with your time and talents than to go shopping.


Are you ready for that reset?





MINIMALIST BASICS SERIES books
It's too easy to accumulate much more than we need or even want.  We feel overburdened, and our true needs may be overlooked, buried under piles of possessions and a relentless schedule.


My Minimalist Basics series* is much more than a guide to tidying up.  It explores life with less clutter, busyness, debt, and stress.  It arms you with practical strategies that help you identify and make room for the people, activities, and belongings that really matter to you, while minimizing everything else.


Discover:

  • how limits increase freedom
  • how elaborate storage solutions hide clutter and keep you from accessing your favorite things
  • how a curated wardrobe helps you discover your personal style and self-confidence
  • how fewer mementos help you enjoy more memories
  • how to keep clutter from reappearing
  • how slowing down and doing less makes you so much more productive
  • how intentional spending preserves your life energy
  • how mindfulness reduces anxiety and stress while expanding your experience of the world
  • how gratitude crowds out negative emotions
  • and more!

The Minimalist Basics series can help you find the life you want – with less stuff to distract you from it.


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




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