I crave simplicity…in my home, in my mind, in all that I do.
Those were the words that I wrote a year ago as I struggled with creating a more simplified life for myself. When I wrote those words, I was feeling tired and stressed and knew that I had to do something to gain control of the chaos I felt was looming in my life.
Creating a simplified life had been a goal that I’d been working towards for oh, so many years. A lot had happened in my life and in my home, and I was truly craving simplicity and peace. A year ago, if I had invited you over for dinner, you would have noticed (hopefully ) a very tidy kitchen and living area. However, if you looked in the extra bedrooms, especially the closets, you would have seen a different story. On the outside, I may have looked like a neat and tidy person, but my closets were crammed full to over flowing with stuff. Stuff that had accumulated from a life of raising kids, things that I had acquired from my mother and grandmother, things that were difficult for me to part with because they were filled with memories. All of this stuff was causing me a ton of anxiety!
A year ago, I knew that I seriously had to make some substantial progress toward my goal of simplifying my home and my life. So, I chose the word SIMPLIFY as my “word of the year.” You may have heard of this concept. You choose one word to guide your life choices for one year. I believe that focusing on this one concept in my life has made all the difference in the world.
After a full year of focusing on embracing a simplified life, I’m pleased to report that I am quite content with my progress and my home has become the bright, airy space that I always hoped it would be. Having gotten rid of a ton of clutter has really left me feeling free and lighthearted. and I’m beginning to find the peace and serenity in my home that I truly desire.
How did I accomplish this feat after years of struggle? I began with a vision of what a simplified home would look like for me. I wanted my home to be as clean, simple and as clutter free as possible. I also wanted it to be easy to maintain. I wanted to be able to keep my home clean, but with a minimal amount of effort. I didn’t want to be a slave to cleaning my home!
I scanned Pinterest for some websites that focus on decluttering your home, and believe me there are several out there. One of my favorites is Home Storage Solutions 101 . A monthly calendar is provided with small daily tasks for everyday of the year! Rather than spending 15 minutes a day decluttering as suggested, I grouped several tasks together so I was working on my declutter project as I had the time. This solution has made my life so much more organized! From kitchen cabinets to junk drawers, I know where to look for items, everything is organized, and I have eliminated a ton of stuff from my home!
I know there is more to a simplified life than decluttering your home, but I had to get rid of the excess stuff so that I was able to breathe. Now I am able to focus on other mindful activities, such as saying no to activities when all I want to do is stay home and curl up with a good book.
Are you like I was, yearning to simplify your life. With Spring just around the corner, it is the perfect time to eliminate some of the stuff from your life. I challenge you to choose just one room and make an effort to remove some of the clutter. I promise you that if you begin this process you will feel so much better!
Steps to Simplifying Your Home
- Visualize how you want your home to look.
- Get inspiration from Pinterest or thumbing through magazines.
- Begin with one room and focus your declutter efforts on this room.
- Devise a plan and a timeline. (Ex. – Commit to 30 minutes a week for 4 weeks.)
- Have a box ready for things that you want to donate and a trash bags ready for what just needs to be thrown away.
- Start slow. Declutter one drawer or one shelf to begin. You want to commit to something that you can complete in your allotted time frame.
- Be consistent. Stick to your plan until your room is completely decluttered. If necessary add extra time to complete the project.
- As you declutter, get rid of the stuff. Either donate or just throw it away! Don’t keep it in your house!
- If your stuck, get some help! Invite a trusted friend to help you make decisions about sentimental items.
- When complete, step back and enjoy your clutter free room. Buy yourself some flowers to celebrate your efforts and congratulate yourself on a job well done!
I would love to hear your comments on simplifying your life! Until next time…Blessings! Gerri