become a minimalist

I have constants up and downs on my mood. When I am sad, I feel that I need a pick me up and get my hair professionally done, manicure, pedicure, I buy clothes. Most of the time I am not happy with the hair color they do, so I change. I gain and lose weight frequently too, so I find it hard to buy clothes. I feel that the underlying reason for my materialism is that I am not happy. Period. I go through stages where I put significant money and effort into decorating, then I realize I am doing it for others (who are the others, I do not know.) I want to reduce my possesions to the bare minimum to live comfortably. I bought a 3 bedroom house. We just use two bedrooms. I have a big backyard that we never use and it is burden to keep up with. One time I worked for the marketing department of an aviation maintenance facility; the CFO was always wearing a green jacket. It looked to us that he was always wearing the same clothes. We were all dressed up everyday, we spent a lot of money on looking fancy while he was the guy in charge and dressed modestly. I want to write down a plan on how I am going to downsize my life in all aspects. From grocery shopping, to decorating to cooking and personal care, I want things to be very simple; this will save me time and effort. I have also realized that my son is becoming very materialistic, he wants to have 5 pairs of sneakers, all designer brands. I thought I am not obsessed with brands or anything like that but now that I analyze myself I do realize that I spend a lot of unncessary things. Carpe diem! 4 weeks ago

I will read a book, blog, or article about minimalism whenever the urge to buy more comes over me. I have been a shopper for so long. 1 month ago

I’ve been reading about and researching minimalism for a couple of years now. I still struggle with the urge to shop recreationaly. Something that helps with the urge shop for new clothes is to go thru my closet and start ironing and mending things, trying everything on. It gets exhausting and makes me truly dislike the thought of putting more clothes in there.

I love sparse rooms with empty spaces. 1 month ago

I have two attractions to minimalism: the economic benefits and the environmental benefits. I like thinking I could reduce my carbon footprint all while saving money. Seems like a no-brainer, right? Wrong. The American spirit in me wants to do so much more than sit at home and knit and water the crops and all that jazz.

I don’t want to knit my own pants; I want to buy them. I don’t want to stay home and repeat the same daily-routine; I want to travel the world and be a doctor.

Can these two realities be combined? Can I be a doctor, buy my clothes, and travel the world but still be a minimalist? So many questions. I’ll have to do research on it. 2 months ago

I might be tossing this goal soon. I think I wanted this so bad because 1) I couldn’t throw anything away 2) I had no discipline 3) I have no organization skills. I think I’ve educated myself on how to make a house a home more. I sort of understand how and why some items are “too much” better than I did when I added this minimalism goal. Just saying….. 6 months ago

I took the time today to go through drawers of stuff at my desk in my studio. I also went through two tubs and many files. It is so nice to weed through things and just get rid of things that really aren’t necessary in my life anymore. Less clutter, more open space… What more could a girl ask for? 8 months ago

After a nice dinner with my dad and daughter, I proudly showed my house to my dad, taking him around one room at a time. I was really proud of the rooms that I had worked hard to simplify and create a minimalist look. He was impressed.
Also I found myself humbled by the other rooms that hadn’t gotten the fine tooth comb yet. But it reminds me that this journey is still on and I still have a ways to go. 8 months ago

-took out everything from my bathroom and put back only what was necessary. The result, a box full of lotions and facial cleansers to be given to a friend and a clean and clear bathroom where everything is easy to find.
-cleared off the top of the pantry cupboards. The result, nothing left up there and everything being donated.
-went through everything in my bedroom and got rid of half my clothes. Lots of goodies bing donated, but mostly cleared things that didn’t belong in there anyway, like piles of the kids laundry waiting to be folded.
-first time through my art room. I combed through everything here but there is much that I am hanging on to still. I will schedule a 2nd weeding out in the future.
-the main bathroom. I took out everything and put back only what was necessary and I threw out a ton of things. Donating a random fishbowl I found in there.
I cleared all the counters in the kitchen of appliances and put things away to clear clutter. Some things being donated. Still needs a heavy combing through. 8 months ago

Today I will shed an untrue friend Life is to short to waste on those who do not value you or your friendship. 8 months ago

I am a crafter. But lately I have noticed it is out of hand. would like to get my projects done so they can be sold, gifted or donaated to those in need. 8 months ago

I haven’t been updating this, but I just want to post that I’ve been making progress. Done LOOOOTS of work. I’m still not THERE, but I’m de-cluttered enough that I was able to dust today – which is monumental! I figure if you have to touch more than 50 objects in order to dust then you have too much stuff to dust. TODAY I DUSTED! I moved 12 things off my vanity, one thing off my book shelf, maybe another 10 or 15 things from my desk, and completely cleared my filing cabinet…. I’m progressing sooooooo much and I’m soooooooo proud!!!

YAY! :) 9 months ago