Living Simply: Less is More

   

     In spite of the advertising companies messages that you'll be envied, respected, and just "be more" with their products, the truth is, less is more. Less stuff to acquire, update, maintain, dust, repair, and put away. Less time wasted shopping for things you don't need, then to stand in long lines for "stuff" just because you fell for an advertiser's gimmicks. Less debt. Less busyness. Less striving to keep up with others. Less accumulating and cluttering just to impress people you don't like. Less really does become MORE. More time, more savings, more freedom, more relaxing, more contentment, more intentional decisions, more importance on the right things, more added value in your life, more living a simple life. Sound good? Wondering how to get started? Here's a few quick things to ponder and try:

1.  Start. You can jump in with both feet, but you can also start slow, taking baby steps towards your desired goals, but you must actually START. You don't have to think about taking days to declutter an entire house. It can be one junk drawer, one bookcase, one desk and its drawers, one closet, one pantry, just one little area to tackle with give you the motivation you need for the next little area next time.

2.  Not sure if you should keep or toss something? Don't stress over it. Put it in a box out of sight for 30 days. If you didn't need it, or even miss it, then it's okay to sell it, donate it, or throw it out.

3.  Get a handle on your emotions. We all have things that are sentimental to us for different reasons. Living simply, or becoming more minimalist has nothing to do with a number of items you keep, nor following any set rules. Your life is only determined by you. I realized many items I held onto just didn't need a place in my home anymore, or could bring someone else more joy than it brought me, so I let it go. A few things I really did want to keep, so I did. You can too. Just don't hold onto things as a way to remember others - the memories are in YOU, in YOUR MIND, not in a material thing.

4.  Are you keeping multiples of things? Do you have 2 CD or DVD players yet you only listen to digital music or download movies these days? Do you have duplicates of books, or photos, or kitchen utensils? Pick one to keep, or none if it no longer adds value to your life, or if it's outdated technology. Could something else I own do the same job?

5.  THROW AWAY THOSE MISMATCHED SOCKS SINCE THE OTHER'S BEEN MISSING FOR YEARS NOW!

6.  Toss out all those condiment packets from the local fast-food place.

7.  Donate books and magazines you'll never read again - a library, a school, an elderly facility, a hospital, an office with a waiting room, all are good places that could use them.

8.  Sell, donate, or toss old things you don't use anymore like perfume, jewelry, shoes, etc.

9.  Minimize your wardrobe by removing anything you haven't worn in the last 90 days (with the exception of seasonal things, like winter parkas in the summer - put those in storage out of your closet). Turn all your hangers backwards, then as you wash and rehang items, turn them around the right way. Anything at the end of 30, 60, or 90 days (your choice), you know you haven't worn it, aren't likely to wear it anytime soon, so get rid of it so you only keep what you enjoy wearing.

10.  Toss expired things - old condiments in the fridge, old makeup that you know is old, sour smelling old perfume, coupons, medications (follow proper disposal guidelines, some you can toss, but others you should bring to a pharmacy to dispose of so it doesn't end up in the wrong hands), stuff living in your freezer for too long - now covered in freezer burn and "snow", oils or nuts that have gone rancid, hard as a rock brown sugar, etc.