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Minimalism is defined as a style or technique (as in music, literature, or design) that is characterized by extreme spareness and simplicity. I never thought of myself as a minimalist before but lately I just can not deal with all of the clutter!! Clutter in my house, clutter in my head, clutter everywhere! I am pretty much the opposite of a hoarder, I am the person who throws stuff out and then later wonders what happened to it…oops….but lately I have just been feeling extremely overwhelmed.
I am a 33 year old single lady with a dog and I live in a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home with a huge yard. I currently live about 30 minutes away from my job and so that equals a lot of driving time which I usually don’t mind but lately it has just gotten old. Why did I need such a large house for just myself? And why did I need a large yard that I don’t even mow or keep up myself. The honest answer is that I don’t!
I have been cleaning out my house room by room and giving away things and selling things like a crazy woman and you know what? It feels good. I think my next step is to get it ready to put on the market and sell it. I would really be most happy with a small apartment that requires zero upkeep and is a lot cheaper than my mortgage payment. I want to get rid of most of my stuff and live with zero clutter.
This will mean a huge purge of items and I can’t wait!! The one thing that really freaks me out is parring down my book collection. I read most things on my Kindle now but I love the feel of a real book in my hands. I have a ton of books but they are really just sitting around. I love to decorate with them so I will definitely be keeping my faves but the others will have to go. That will be a sad purge. Books I am definitely keeping? Harry Potter series (duh), all my Candace Bushnell, Jodi Picoult, and Nicholas Sparks books. For sure.
I am also nervous about purging my closet. Don’t get me wrong, I purge my closet all the time but I am literally still holding on to my senior prom dress, my letterman jacket, two FFA jackets, and my high school graduation cap and gown, and other sentimental things that I will never wear again. So do I keep them for sentimental reasons or get rid of them?
I have been seriously been thinking about doing a capsule wardrobe. Let’s be real, when I am not in scrubs for work I am in lounge clothes so I don’t wear “real clothes” often so I don’t think that would be a big deal but I am such a huge impulse clothes hoarder. I literally have 12-15 plain black short sleeve shirts. Why? No clue. If I find them at a good price I buy them. Not because I need them but just because. There is no need for all that.
So that’s where my mind has been lately. Get rid of all the stuff. Sell my house. Get a small apartment close to work. Needless to say I have been a little stressed but I think this will be a smart move for me. Did I forget to mention that I already bought a new couch to replace the two giant couches I have in my living room currently? Yeah, I am already planning my new apartment out! I can’t wait!!
What are your thoughts on minimalism??
Minimalism is a tricky style to pull off. It can either be perfectly understated or barren looking. Thanks for this post!
I have never thought about being a minimalist. I don’t have lots of stuff and I don’t really need lots of stuff, but I’m not sure if I would quite go all the way to minimalist. I’m so glad that you found what you like and I hope that the apartment you’re moving to is what you’re looking for.
Ricci, DON”T BE NERVOUS! This past year, I sold my home (shortsale) and moved one state over to be closer to my daughter. I had things in my home that I’ve had since my divorce in ’05. I had a 2 bedroom, 1 bath three story row home. About 950 sq ft. I moved into an apt about 550 – 600 sq ft and virtually NO storage. I got rid of over 75% of my stuff and even in the new place, I’m still getting rid of things! The main difference with where I’m living now? First time I’ve had EVERY box unpacked in over 10 years. Oh, and your 30 minute commute? I’m driving 50 minutes! I moved further from my job, but, it’s only for a few years. My plans after my daughter graduates is for me to buy a camper and work from the road while traveling. So, I’ll be getting rid of pretty much everything!
Thank you for this comment, it makes me feel so much better that I am making the right decision!! I am so ready to sell this house now!!
I kind of want to move just to force a purge of things. I know we get used to having places to put stuff, I would love to down size more then what we have no stuff wise.
I think that I am a partial minimalist haha! I do think it’s great, because we live in this world where there is a need to have so many things and things don’t matter when it’s all said and done, in my opinion.
Love love love this! I’ve been itching to purge clutter too! P.s. Have you checked out the Minimalist podcast?? Such interesting views on this lifestyle!
I need to check out that podcast!!
I felt like that a month ago. I look at my apartment and wish I did not have this much stuff. The problem is my hubby doesn’t want to through stuff out. I have more than 5 boxes of DVDs that he has in our closet. There is no room for more stuff. But little by little I have been cleaning it out and he has promised to put it up for sale. Let see.
I think a slightly disorganized look can actually add a bit of character to book shelves and some kinds of collections but only in small doses. Minimalism is an awesome aesthetic too though and it will be nice to get rid of some excess.
I agree and there are some things I am definitely keeping but a lot of it has to go!! I don’t need it all!!
I really need to minimize and get rid of a lot of stuff. Some of my clothes are from when I was in my twenties and I still have school papers from both my sons during every single school year. Clutter is what I need to let go of for sure. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Minimalism is awesome! I love simplicity! I want to clean my house and get rid of unused products!
Simple is best. At least for me. With a house full of kids, I can’t stand to have things laying around that don’t get used often or that are in the way….. No thanks! I like being a minimalist!
My husband is a minimalist to a good degree. I am turning a little more towards it.
I agree the sentimental things are the most difficult to get rid of.
But I also agree that there is a “freeing” feeling from getting rid of things!
It is very freeing!! I always feel so good when I clean something out and take a load of things to Goodwill!
I like to live the minimalist life. It seems to be less stressful that way. Good luck on the purging!
My husband is actually the one with all the stuff. Lol. Luckily we have a house for it all, but when it was just me I didn’t have much at all and I was fine with it. Good luck!
I had to embrace minimalism when I decided to downsize. Tiny house living doesn’t give many options for storage.
I would love to live in a tiny house!
I used to be such a hoarder when I was younger! These days I do find myself being more of a minimalist. I’ve gotten good at getting rid of things I don’t actually use!
I need to get rid of at least 50% of our stuff, we just have too much. I often think less=more, more time, less cleaning. I really need to do this!