A Commitment to Minimalist Living

Ronni said:
I tell my clients to take pictures of those large sentimental items that they haven't used in many years and that their kids don't want, but they just can't seem to part with. It's really quite ridiculous...some of my clients maintain 2 or more storage units for that kind of stuff, in some cases stuff they haven't even SEEN in years, and have stated they won't ever use again!

One of my clients has told me several times that she needs to take Ron and me to her storage units so that we can see what's there and pick out whatever we want, preferably a LOT of whatever we want, as a "wedding gift." She's serious, and is hopeful we will furnish our entire house with her stuff so that she can move some of it along!!!

I haven't moved into his house yet. We need to finish the remodel of his master bedroom and bathroom complete with a new, large, walk in closet. Meanwhile I'm slowly going through my stuff and getting rid of things, especially because we're combining households and so there are a lot of duplicates. I downsized a whole bunch several years ago when I moved, so it's not like there's a bunch of stuff. And we're both tidy, uncluttery types, so we don't really collect much. Even so, it's amazing what accumulates. I went through his laundry room cabinets and drawers last weekend and organized everything. It was the one room in his house that was a big disorganized. He was amazed at the number of duplicates of things he had stashed in different places! We got rid of so much stuff and now there's so much room in every cabinet and drawer, rather than the entire space being crammed!

Keesha, I admire your dedication and accountability! You go girl!!!!
Click to expand...
You seem to be going through something similar in downsizing. It’s great that you are both in the same page. My mans been dropping off quite a bit of stuff to goodwill and is probably better at chucking things than I am. I’m too emotional about it but since I’ll be also purging my parents house I really need to prioritize and select to keep only things I truly value.
Books. I’m the worst in this department. I’m a huge DIY’er so have books on just about how to do everything.
I’m going to try and set up a little mini library. Perhaps I’ll group similar books and sell them as sets if books to get rid of more faster.

The one thing I’m very pleased with is that I am fully committed this this. I’m currently also working on finishing our foyer and one bedroom. They are far from finished but coming along nicely. I’m into the silver grey tones lately. I’ve picked out a beautiful hanging light for the foyer and will hand paint some large pictures. I’d like to try abstract art in acrylics.
Ive also picked out a nice set of blinds for the bedroom. The are silver grey with a lovely pattern.

588ACB29-8282-448D-8AB1-3CA70EAFA9B0.jpg

I had a boozaka bubble gum pink room. :hide:
Yes that was tough to admit.
 

Last edited:
:lofl: Good job, Keesha!

My daughter sent me this link yesterday (as in *hint hint, Mom*). It was called "What I Wish I Knew Before Starting Minimalism". Since my daughter is always on my side, I thought for sure the link was going to be a warning that if I get rid of anything, I'll mourn it's loss and be an emotional mess of epic proportions. BUT....no. Not this time. I guess things are getting serious ;) But she knows decluttering is my goal and she's just being supportive I guess.

So I checked out the link. Other than the fact that the video gal was a perfect, wrinkle-free millennial, who says she was happiest when all her possessions were in her backpack (what?), I actually enjoyed her video. I'm not sure I watched the same one as my daughter did (because there are many in a series) but I plan to watch some others of hers.

 

Last edited:
Everything in a back pack. I guess she won't be actually owning any big ticket items any time soon. No need to think about anything but herself/body. In the end though that's what it's about-biological existence.

Should add if you don't handle it for over a year isn't necessarily a good rule of thumb to throw out. I just recently pulled out a tool that I hadn't used in over five years. It worked and repaired the item for about 50 cents in tape. Tools are practical and useful as are many household items. Now a days so many rent/lease and have a landlord or car company do repairs for them I don't think they understand what it means to prepare for an emergency. Just like those who wait to get bottled water and batteries the day before a hurricane in the middle of hurricane season. Or see a flake of snow to buy a snow scraper and shovel in the middle of winter.
 
Lara said:
:lofl: Good job, Keesha!

My daughter sent me this link yesterday (as in *hint hint, Mom*). It was called "What I Wish I Knew Before Starting Minimalism". Since my daughter is always on my side, I thought for sure the link was going to be a warning that if I get rid of it all, I'll wish I'd known I'd be an emotional mess of epic proportions over my loss of "old friends" and memories. BUT....no. Not this time. I guess things are getting serious ;) But she knows decluttering is my goal and she's just being supportive I guess.

So I checked out the link. Other than the fact that the video gal was a perfect, wrinkle-free millennial, who says she was happiest when all her possessions were in her backpack (what?), I actually enjoyed her video. I'm not sure I watched the same one as my daughter did (because there are many in a series) but I plan to watch some others of hers.

Click to expand...
Lara darling......I do understand that backpack freedom as I’ve done a lot of hiking. It is tremendously liberating I agree.
I was listening intently until I got to the part where she says some people becoming minimalists in a matter of two or three days but for others it take a few weeks or maybe enough months!
:lofl:Say what ???? She’s gotta he kidding :lol1:

But Thanks all the same :thankyou:
 
I’m quite proud of the fact that my closet has been stripped and has one coat of new paint.
Ive decided to take the closet doors off so everything is exposed. If it looks neat and cared for then it shouldn’t bother me which is a great incentive. I’m not planning to put everything back like it was. I really AM doing this. My new motto is LESS IS BEST!!!
 
Last edited:
Good for you Keesha! I admire those who can live the minimalist lifestyle. I like your list. Several items apply to me and a couple I'm working on. I've heard horror stories about survivors who's parents never got rid of anything. I have a friend who was literally shredding sensitive papers and documents for months. She actually wore out a shredder! I told her she could bag those papers and taken them to the industrial shredder truck I used to use that's sometimes stationed in an industrial area. The man charges $20 for about a lot of pounds and that paper is confetti in less than a minute...but she wouldn't do it. I have clothes I hadn't worn in years that I wind up being able to wear to an event and was glad I kept them. Clothes now are cheaply made and not much out there for us Boomers that looks decent unless you pay a fortune. Another issue...I have clothes for when I was smaller that I'm going to need again because I'm back on the weight loss track. In the past I have given several gallon bags of clothes to a local organization that assists women in various ways.

I am currently in the process of purging...tossing out or giving away items I know I'll never use again. And it feels good. Once a year I go through and streamline what's in my file cabinet. I doubt I'll ever make minimalist status but I will have a lot less stuff when I'm done.
 
Lara said:

I actually gave away my backpack because it wasn't bringing me joy ;)
Click to expand...
We speak the same language. :laugh:
I like how she states that there are many types of minimalists
Something she lacks is consideration of age. Many younger people travelled and hiked with the bare minimum and enjoyed it.
You have different priorities when you get older. Not too many older people want to fit all their stuff into a bag nor is there any need. We can still live a luxurious life,..... just with a lot less stuff. I look forward to routines being easier. Cleaning would be much easier, finding things easier. I’m sure I can think of more pros as I go along.
 
OneEyedDiva said:
I am currently in the process of purging...tossing out or giving away items I know I'll never use again. And it feels good. Once a year I go through and streamline what's in my file cabinet. I doubt I'll ever make minimalist status but I will have a lot less stuff when I'm done.
Click to expand...
Thanks OneEyedDiva. Purge and streamline! I like those two words. Those are good ones. It sounds like you have a good plan also. :thumbsup:
 
Keesha said:
I look forward to routines being easier
Click to expand...
I look forward to decluttering my brain from to-do lists of decluttering my house. Seriously, it's on my mind everyday, 2-attics, garage, 6 closets, etc. I know that saps my energy...but one-day I'll be free. This morning I woke up at 5am, and asked myself, should I clean this oven or just throw it out:D.

After I cleaned it, I decided to work on the sunroom. Plants in heavy pots everywhere (they come in for the winter, out on the deck for the summer). I had so many I couldn't reach some to water without losing my balance.

My Aloe plant looks like a GIANT octopus! I'm not kidding. It's "tentacles" are meandering over the pot. I stepped on one by mistake and I heard it squish between the flagstone and my foot. Eww. And the older I get the heavier they are.

:bowknot:
 
RadishRose said:
I don't have a lot of clutter, but not minimalist either.
Click to expand...

Same here. I like the concept of minimalism but I'm not sure I'll be able to achieve it. However, I don't have a lot of clutter and have downsized considerably. I am also much more intentional with my spending so I'm not buying things just because they appeal to me in the moment. I wish I had lived like this when I was younger.
 
Keesha said:
I have been wanting to have a yard sale for a long time now but I decided against it after the things people said they were like.
They said unless you plan on giving away everything then yard sales are a waste of time. Plus I’m not sure how I’d feel about
haggling over price with a distant neighbour.

Anyway, most people claimed that some people can become aggressive and I’m not sure how I’d handle that type of thing.
I can be confrontational when pushed. I’m not afraid to back down.
Its left a bad impression in my mind so I’m hoping some other members add some positive comments about having them.
Im still sitting in the fence about it.
I’m not exactly a social butterfly.

We have one room full of stuff and I would like to use that room as a hobby/music room once more.
Click to expand...

I have been very successful with yard sales. I've had several of them (in several different houses) and have made hundreds if not thousands of dollars off them over the years. I financed a vacation to Vegas with one sale. They are work, however. And you need to be organized and prioritize the stuff you really want to sell. Make sure you advertise it well, or you will not have a good turnout. Surprisingly, with one of my yard sales, I made quite a bit of money getting rid of unwanted plants in my yard. I sold hen and chicks, hostas, irises etc. Washers and dryers, vacuums, sofas are all good sellers if your merchandise is in good shape.

I did not find people to be that pushy or rude. If you don't want to come down on an item, then don't. At the end of the day, though, you have to decide if you want your price or if you want to get rid of it.

Good luck in what you decide to do!
 
I'm gradually getting rid of things.

My daughter-in-law was here last weekend, and I asked her if she would like a leather jacket I hadn't worn in over 50 years. She loved it, so she took it gratefully.

I've rid myself of heaps of ornaments I had in a display case - gave them to a local op shop - they sold them quite quickly.

Been reducing the amount of linen I keep in the cupboards too. That goes to the same op-shop and they're glad to receive it.

Couldn't be bothered with having a garage sale - too much hard work to do alone.
 
I'm purging also. My problem is I enjoy so many hobbies. I have a place for my sewing,my wood working projects, gardening,pots,potting soil etc. Cooking,my old and new cookbooks. These items may not be in use all of the time but I switch off depending on the seasons and what I'd like to do at the time.
They are all organized but do take up room. It would be very hard for me to give up any one of my hobbies.

I have made several trips to the Salvation Army and gotten rid of many knickknacks and clothes I'll never wear so I guess I'm making progress.
 
I'm chipping away at it a little every day.

0c452eb429c85b90523f85f798b5ee00--peter-walsh-clutter.jpg
 
Thank you for the encouragement in organizing our home.
I’ve almost finished decluttering one entire room. Custom blinds were ordered but they came with the turning wand right in the middle of the blinds which was terrible so I had to reorder them. Meanwhile I decided to change the colour of my room to something lighter that reflects more light. This should help with seasonal affective disorder. I also decided to add some spring and summer freshness so purchased this comforter, pillows and cool painting. The real seashells add such dimension. It’s so interesting I’m considering making my own version of it.

Anyway this room wasn’t that disorganized so there wasn’t much to do.
When the blinds arrive and are up I’ll post another picture.
I’ve packed away three bags worth of stuff for goodwill which I’ll drop off tomorrow.

Now I’m working on the hallway and hallway closet.

Here is a picture of the new bedroom colours and the cool picture I found. In my eye it was a great match that added a theme. Those are dog stairs on the right.


Here is a closer picture of the picture.

71AAA7C4-8A9C-4CCD-B664-3D49E05C17BC.jpg
 
Last edited:
Uptosnuff said:
I have been very successful with yard sales. I've had several of them (in several different houses) and have made hundreds if not thousands of dollars off them over the years. I financed a vacation to Vegas with one sale. They are work, however. And you need to be organized and prioritize the stuff you really want to sell. Make sure you advertise it well, or you will not have a good turnout. Surprisingly, with one of my yard sales, I made quite a bit of money getting rid of unwanted plants in my yard. I sold hen and chicks, hostas, irises etc. Washers and dryers, vacuums, sofas are all good sellers if your merchandise is in good shape.

I did not find people to be that pushy or rude. If you don't want to come down on an item, then don't. At the end of the day, though, you have to decide if you want your price or if you want to get rid of it.

Good luck in what you decide to do!
Click to expand...
There have been others who have been very successful at having garage sales. There are so many pros, yet so many cons to consider.

I really like the idea that you sold hens, chicks, hostas and irises at the same sale. That seems quite laid back and easy going. Good for you.

Garage sales are so long though. How long were you out each day? 8 to 9 hours?
That’s a long time. Soon I’m taking quite a few items to some consignment shops. We have quite a few to choose from.
It feels good getting rid of stuff.
 
Keesha, you're correct that the person having the garage sale is there a long time. And when I had mine, usually it was a Friday. Saturday and Sunday. So I did give up my whole weekend. The upside was that I met a lot of people from the neighborhood, sold a lot of stuff I no longer wanted, and usually I went in on the garage sale with at least one other person and that person got rid of her stuff, too. Also, there is always merchandise left over at the end and we always took the leftovers to the Goodwill. So, I not only got money from the sale, I got a tax write off from the Goodwill stuff to boot.

You really do have to decide if you want to put the time and effort into it. You can make some good money, but that's not always guaranteed. I think it depends on the neighborhood and the location, somewhat. Is there anyone you can join up with to have a bigger, better sale? That might help quite a bit. Or does your neighborhood do a neighborhood garage sale? I've been to those and they generate a lot of people walking through them.

Bottom line: they can be fun and rewarding, but they can also be a lot of work with no guarantee of return.

Just curious, I know you want to clear out clutter now, but did you ever like going garage saling?
 
The time and effort that it takes to put on a successful yard sale, I’m more than willing to do. I’ll just need to have some help.


The neighbourhood garage sale idea is a great one but we don’t live in a regular neighbourhood. We live in a rural area and only have two neighbours; one on each side and while I like them and get along with them, doing a garage sale with them would probably ruin all of that. We prefer to keep our distance.


What I could do is ask family or friends to help.
I’ll offer to pay them to make it worth their while.


Have I been to many garage sales?
Not a lot of them. We have too much stuff already so my husband never wants to go.
Perhaps I’ll start going just to see how they set it all up etc...,


This could take up my entire summer but it would be soooo worth it in the long run.


Thanks for your time uptosnuff. That would really helpful.
 
Find a neighborhood street sale
Join it

Hordes of folks cruise thru those
It’s how they spend their weekends
And they do spend

And…..(drum roll), you won’t be haggling with YOUR neighbors

Oh, and don’t haggle
Sell that stuff
You don’t wanna haul it home
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top