Do you hate having so much stuff?
So much stuff, that you can’t enjoy any of it however wonderful it may be or however many precious memories are wrapped up with them.
I got there last year. A home full of things – however individually amazing – was making me sad and I am talking really deep down miserable.
But this year I had a breakthrough. A BIG one!
I discovered the most brilliant method for letting go of lots of things.
Gently. In just 5 to 10 minutes a day. WITHOUT turning the house upside down!
PLUS we adopted these 4 incredibly simple rules …
- Make do
- Make it last
- Borrow (and share)
- Take time to enjoy what we have
Honestly. They have been life changing.
They have stopped more stuff from coming in.
AND just as importantly.
Helped us value and enjoy and take care of the things we do have.
Hmmmmm … you say … they sound a bit wishy-washy!
How do they actually help keep out that daily onslaught of clutter?
Well, I’ve got loads of super practical declutter tips for you.
And share more every week in my newsletter.
BUT the 4 simple rules. They DO help.
Because they change our whole mindset.
About what we really need and want in our home.
AND what it actually means to be happy.
These are just a few of the little ways they have made a massive difference to us.
1. Make Do
So, at the beginning of the year our electric kettle bust.
In my old mindset it would have been quick, quick, get on Amazon.
Order a replacement. Get it tomorrow.
Under the new rules. I held off.
And we made do – all year – boiling water in a pan.
There are downsides to this.
But less clutter in the kitchen won out for me.
And the whole thing was eye opening.
We could happily get by without something we had thought was essential.
So next time something breaks. See if you can make do.
2. Make It Last
We’re also learning to make our things last.
My 7 year old’s bike has been on the go for 3 years.
It’s a great bike. But it’s tiny. Really tiny.
And I thought there was NO way it would last until Christmas.
I was – I confess – all ready to fork out for a new one.
But under the new rules, I held off.
And a massive growth spurt later am so glad I did!
The new bike at Christmas will be 2 sizes bigger than it would have been in spring!
Which should mean we get 2 more years out of it.
Making stuff last – whether bikes, kids clothes, phones, whatever – slows that constant churn of new stuff coming in.
AND slows down our spending.
And THEN the strange thing is when we make things last we discover – back to rule 1 – we can make do without.
3. Borrow (and Share)
This third rule for living with less is my fave.
It puts a smile on my face.
Under the old mindset, if we needed something we went shopping.
Under the new rules, we ask a friend.
So when I started decluttering all my old paperwork.
And was super worried about identity theft.
And really needed a shredder.
I just asked the neighbours.
And borrowed one for a few weeks.
It’s such a simple little thing but borrowing and sharing stuff – tools, baking equipment, kids clothes, camping gear – brings the community together and helps us all own less things.
It NOT only saves us all money.
It saves us all storage too.
4. Take Time To Enjoy
Right, the fourth and final rule.
It sounds simple. It sounds obvious.
BUT it is MAGICAL!
Putting aside time to enjoy what we already have, keeps new stuff out.
Taking time to play family games.
To read books. To listen to music.
Together. Makes us happy.
And when we feel happy. And loved. And valued.
That deep down, desperate urge to buy stuff to make us feel better.
And less lonely.
It goes away. It really does.
And I’ve discovered, it creates this wonderful happy circle.
The less we have.
The more we can truly value and delight in what we do have.
And the less need we feel for anything more.
And the easier we find it, to stop spending money.
So, if all the mass of things in your home are making you sad.
Do give these 4 simple rules a go. They really helped me.
And if you want more ideas for decluttering – that actually work! – and living with less day by day, do sign up for my newsletter …
Original image source
Original images by: Best Picko and rawpixel.com under Creative Commons
Noleen Sliney Makeup says
I couldn’t agree more, especially with point number 4. This is something I’ve been doing a lot more over the past few years. Actually ENJOYING and USING the things I already have. After all, that’s why we buy them in the first place. To use them and get enjoyment from them. And when we buy less stuff, it also means having to declutter less, which is less waste and better for our environment. 🙂
leitha Richardson says
The borrowed and share can become a problem when things become broken or don’t get returned. Some people are not responsible.
Alice says
You’re right Leitha it can be a tricky one – borrowing and sharing does need to be based on trusted relationships doesn’t it?