Minimalist Abundance

Going minimal seems to be catching on like wildfire - or wildflower. The tiny house revolution is replacing the old status quo of living in a large home. I see more and more people taking to the road and living in RV's, and even tiny vans. People are learning that the more you have doesn't make you who you are. Having more only means more cleaning, more people needed to help you move, more clutter, and more money on items that you simply do not use or need.

How much money do you think you could earn if you simply sold all of the things that you do not use? Are you storing things in boxes that haven't been touched in years? Do you have an attic or basement chocked full of items you haven't seen in ages or that are just accumulating dust? What about the clothes in your closet that you might wear once every three years? Do you really need 40 pairs of shoes?

Most of us normally wear the same clothes over a two week period - wash it, then wear it again. Since high tech electronics have come into play I see more people sitting on their smartphones or laptops at home, and some kids (and parents) playing video games. How much space is needed for this? If we make our kids get outside for some much needed real play, and we ourselves to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine then how much is needed in our homes? Many families are rarely a unit anymore. With more things, have come less quality time. There are many that have begun to realize this and are moving into a more minimalist mindset. Prices have skyrocketed on everything and people are no longer able to save money unless they minimize their lives. Doing so can reap huge rewards in many ways.

Here are a few ways to minimalize your life whether you live alone, or enjoy a family:

• Only buy the clothes you need and ditch the apparel that mainly sits in drawers or hangs in your closet to take up space. Sell, or give those items to someone who truly needs them. Two to three weeks' worth of clothes changing is plenty and 4-5 pair of shoes.
• Forget the knick-knacks unless they have real meaning. Ten knick-knacks or less is plenty. You save that dusting time.
• Only buy an electronic if it replacing a broken one. You don't need the newest cell phone, video game, tv, laptop, etc., every time one comes out because you think its the latest greatest. Trust me...next year there will be another latest greatest so you have plenty of time. If the one you have is working fine and doing the tasks needed - be satisfied. If you take your eyes off of these and place them on more things such as your loved ones, a good book, a walk, or a bike ride breathing in the fresh air you could save a ton of money.
• Check out your local farmers market for fresh fruit and veggies, support your local farmers and stop buying all those processed pre-packaged boxed and can items that fill your shelves for decades and you finally have to throw away because you never eat them. I can't tell you how many homes I have been in that have had 5-year-old dates on the boxes.
• Don't live in more space than you actually need for your things. It's wasted space to heat and air. The larger the home the more the mortgage. The larger the home, the less you normally get outside and enjoy nature.
• Watch your personal care items. You only need one lotion, one shampoo, and conditioner, one deodorant, etc. Only buy make-up and personal care items when you run out. If you have four make-up bags and aren't a cosmetologist then you have three and a half bags too many. If your cabinets, drawers, dresser, and shelves are filled with multiple lotions, colognes, moisturizers, etc then you should check the expiration and start donating. If your shower has 10 shampoo and body wash bottles (that may seem overexaggerated but you'd be surprised) then you may have a problem and may need professional help for an OCD shopping issue.

These are great places to start eliminating the unnecessaries. Only buy and acquire what you need, are out of, or are replacing. When your home begins to look less cluttered, the air seems lighter. If you have a family and they are actually talking and getting outside more, then you've made a great start to minimalizing your life. You will find your bank account with more un-wasted money. You will find your kids less spoiled and pampered with meaningless fluff and that they become more focused on things that truly matter.

Not only are all of these things great for you and your family, but they are also better for our environment. Our wildlife will find more trees available. Our ocean life will not be dying off so fast from waste being dumped in its waters. Our other waterways will find fewer pollutants. And our air will be fresher if we focus on less waste and the quality of our purchases.

Peace. ©M. Marie

Our Essential Oils can help make great inexpensive household cleaners and beauty items. I will be adding more DIY alternatives to this site, and you can find more from the blog on my EO website.