Me? A Minimalist?

Tags

decluttering, minimalism

I used to keep everything when I was younger.  Even in college I think I had the biggest wardrobe out of my roommates; I had clothes spilling out of the closet and stuffed under my bed in a fabric under-the-bed box.  I deluded myself into thinking that I needed everything *just in case* of a special event, or I could use it when the weather changes, or that it would come back in style (because “hey, I have great taste and it’ll work again”)

Nope. Didn’t happen.  That special event came and went, I didn’t wear that ‘X’ that next season and regretfully ‘X’ never came back in style.

Then I graduated.  After securing my first job, I moved to an apartment with a HUGE walk-in closet and simultaneously discovered the joy of thrifting.  I hoarded basics tees and tanks like a madwoman.  Everything was so cheap!  If a shirt was less than $5, you bet I bought it!!!  I moved once again to a smaller 1 bedroom apartment.  I started selling and donating my clothes and shoes.  It was quite painful at first… I spent so much money (and not to mention, time) amassing such a huge amount of clothes, shoes and bags and it was finally time to let them go.

I found this quote from  Life at Home in the Twenty-First Century hit this on the mark:

The inflow of objects is relentless. The outflow is not. We don’t have rituals, mechanisms, for getting rid of stuff.

At the moment I don’t have rituals to get rid of things.  When the purging mood strikes me I get a garbage bag together and unload as much stuff as I possibly can.  If I am unsure of something, I usually put it back until I’m finally sure.

Purging my closet is actually getting to be quite a high for me now… Now I’m actively looking for things to let go of and I have yet to recall an item that I regret donating or selling to a consignment store. (I guess a bad memory is good for this)

When I drop off a big bag to the thrift store I feel like a load has been lifted off my shoulders.  Yesterday I went through my closet and gave 1/4 of it away to my sister.  Woo!! I feel great.

I’m not sure I can be a complete minimalist but this is really growing on me.

How often do you purge your closet?  Do you think you could be a ‘minimalist?’

♥ E&I

Spring cleaning

Tags

decluttering, minimalism, spring cleaning

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Spring is here!  And with spring comes annual spring cleaning.  And it could not come at a better time!   I’ve recently discovered that my cable lineup now gives me the Style Network and A&E!!!  I do love me some Clean House and Hoarders.  I could literally watch those shows all.day.long and wouldn’t get tired of it.

I’ve also been inspired by Unclutterer’s How Much Is Enough? post and post-apartment-move-in day I’ve been purging like a mad woman.  This quote really hit home:

Am I owning this object just to own it, or is it an object that my family or I really need and/or find truly inspiring?

And I thought to myself:  Wow.  I really DO own X, Y and Z just to have it around.  They don’t make me very happy and they’re not particularly useful.  I even have 3 pairs of Y, 5 sets of Z and 2 pairs of X’s!!!  All they do is just sit around and collect dust.  (This mantra even works for buying new things as well!  Doubly helpful!)

It is really hard to let go of things that you spent money on.  We all make shopping mistakes and sometimes things don’t work out or our tastes change.  Its hard to toss gifts that friends or family have given you but don’t really need.  I used to shop like crazy at Costco and stockpiled toiletries, deoderant and shampoo.

Every day I’m getting to know myself.  I’m rearranging my needs and priorities constantly.   And I’m realizing I don’t need as much stuff as I thought.

Some pricier things are going to be sold at the consignment store (Coach & Kate Spade sunglasses, Loeffler Randall rosette flats), some are going to Goodwill (cheapie clothing from Target and Forever 21).  I also placed a few things outside near the apartment trash bin.  Mostly unused lotions, toiletries, costume jewelry and decorative items.   At first it was a little strange seeing my things sitting out next to the trash and I honestly tried not to look at them as I walked past to my car, for fear of changing my mind and snatching them back!  Shameful, I know.  But my apartment complex houses many families (with multiple young children I might add) living in little 1 bedroom apartments.  So why not freecycle?

Most of the goods were taken after a day or so and I felt pretty great.  I’ve lightened my load and someone is now enjoying some free stuff!

-E&I