Hello Hive,
I noticed that living in a small space with limited storage compels one to be more strategic and purposeful.
Organized spaces motivate me and my procrastination tendencies stem from straightening things around before getting into actual work. I am guilty of re-adjusting an artwork while walking in a hotel corridor.
Clear space clear mind.
It was a habit formed many moons ago. Before working on projects, I wouldn't sit on the drafting table's ergonomic chair until the room was spick and span.
Needless to say, the kitchen sink was cleared and the dried tableware had all been placed in their rightful place before I started writing this post.
Purge regularly
Less stuff = fewer items to clean and clear
De-cluttering increases productivity and helps efficiency. It offers less distraction. Clutter subtly pesters our minds with visual stimuli that lead to mental overload, anxiety, and even guilt.
Whenever I have extra hours during the week, I slowly tackle de-cluttering projects one bite at a time the Kaizen way which some of you might have seen in the previous Bedroom Decluttering post.
Mindful Decluttering of The Home Entertainment Cabinet
I designed this TV cabinet and had it custom-made by a furniture manufacturer in the city when we moved to Cebu. It's multi-purpose storage for photo albums, memorabilia, AV equipment, and gadget-related items including DVDs, chargers, batteries, headsets, and the like.
When we moved to the tiny 70 sq meter 2 bedroom resort home, the function of this media cabinet changed. We let go of books and unnecessary items and the placement transformed into:
- a minibar on one side with wine glasses, bottle opener & corkscrew, and old musical pieces for the piano adjacent to it.
The Novellino sparkling red was a Christmas gift from Kim @ybanezkim26.
It's a pretty small wine cabinet compared to the stash we had during our previous life in the Middle East. The wine bottles had been replenished since. We prefer to have bottles of red in hand for out-of-the-blue dinner invites from friends.
- the right-hand side is used for school and office supplies some of which are stored inside re-used takeaway food containers.
- the central drawer contains smaller items, cables, and batteries
The paperclips, thumbtacks, and medicines were scattered all over the drawers in our previous home so these transparent mini containers allow anyone to easily and safely find them.
The above decluttering exercise was a literal approach to Before and After. If I were to share any aspect during the minimalist journey, the benefits and the differences in my personal growth and to answer the community topic for this week, "How has minimalism changed your life?
I humbly say that it may have started with objects but the practice transcended beyond tangible possessions. Profound questions started popping up with the mindset shift where we start seeing the world differently.
- Social Media
Social media encourages comparisons and one who indulges in it frequently is susceptible to envy and other negative emotions. Deactivating the FB account brought me zen when I realized that the absence of distractions and notifications saved me time. My sister quoted,"Ignorance is bliss" after deactivating her account for 5 years now.
- Disregard for Social Status and Keeping Up
I had encountered people who frowned upon certain social status suicide decisions I had made and still make because it didn't live up to their standards. This made me question without judgement the need to choose relationships that support one's authentic self. How liberating it is to be in the company of a friend who has our best interests at heart. Gone are the days when we had to walk on eggshells as well as eyebrow raises for accidentallly using a white wine glass to drink red wine.
-Nurturing Relationships and Being More Intentional with Time
Quality over quantity but still open and kind to anyone life sends our way. Slowly, I also minimized my list of friends and acquaintances. Not that I ignored everyone and became a full time hermit (although with the remote lifestyle, I'm almost there haha )
There's this awareness and recognition that if I had reached a tipping point of being energy drained at a dinner party, I will politely excuse myself. My old self would have stayed behind but now there's this awareness of time and who we give them to.
Saying no to commitments that are not aligned with ones' values or projects that take one away from what they truly value. One starts to prioritize authentic relationships that are on the same wavelength and who they enjoy spending time with. If push comes to shove the bridge had to be burned, one doesn't hesitate to do so.
- Letting go of career obsession
Does the position on the business card that we hand out define who we really are? Does what we do give us joy? Will our personal values increase and our identities level up when we get promoted? Will it make us less of a person if we don't work on the weekends or accept more responsibilities?
As one who was married to my career, I came face to face with this when I finally accepted the fact that work doesn't define my identity and self worth.
There are many changes tied in with our mindset shift such as personal care and the food we consume. So far, the above points that I have highlighted are the most impactful changes in my life in the last seven years.
Shout out to @littlebee4 as an invitation to join this week's topic. Thank you for reading and have an excellent week ahead!
Last image as seen on my Instagram and the cover image taken in Moalboal, Cebu, Philippines yesterday edited with Canva
"I am an old soul who simply loves coffee, who finds joy and beauty in both tangible and the unseen."
Curiosity and imagination lead to unexpected experiences. Interested in Nature, Places, Roads Less Traveled, Minimalism, Authentic Living, Anything French, and International Cuisine. Feel free to follow her, re-blog, and upvote if you enjoy her content.
The wine was Claire's (@indayclara) idea. She also bought that one. I just gave the money so technically it's hers. HAHA
Ahh, thanks Claire @indayclara 😁! The bottle is waiting for you both and I will keep it there until you guys visit. 😊
Soon! We will just knock. haha
I suddenly heard this really old jingle in my head all of a sudden --"I'm gonna knock on your door..ring at your bell.." haha
It became a horror movie in my head! huhu
Hala scary naman
Yeah! We shall soon crash at your door uninvited!
Haha, need to chill the sparkling red.
Thank you so much @discoveringarni for the invitation. I will try to join in…
Great post. I like your cabinet design as It is so great to see it all packed away. The before and after photos are so great to see. What a change.
Haven’t worked further on our ideas. We are still downsizing and selling or giving away our stuff for our upcoming big move. It is delayed… so no idea when yet. But I continue with our goals.
Have a wonderful week 😊👋🏻
Hi Jackie, I thought about you because you're currently going through this. Hope all goes well and smoothly. What I like about delays, there's usually a reason behind them that the future will unravel. Take your time and enjoy the process.
Hi @discoveringarni 👋🏻
Thanks 🙏🏻
Yes, I think like that too. Things happen for a reason. Sometimes we don’t see it yet but we will one day 😊
I take the time and properly prepare, organise now… one step at a time. Enjoying it all the way.
I’m very patient 😉
Have an awesome day ☀️
Hello @discoveringarni,
Awesome article 🙌
I agree with you about the little distractions.
Over time I realised that it's not all OCD (well, c,d, o) as I like to call it. It saves you time when you are organised. Having the kitchen counter and sink clear is one household practice that I like. As far as I am concerned, there are only two things to do with dirty utensils: wash them or throw them away. Then clear the space, in preparation for the next meal. I HATE cleaning and cleaning right before I start preparing and cooking a meal. I will break items, not by intention, but my mind does not accept having to do those tasks at that time.
In general, life is about creating space. Something it took me a long while to realise. In yoga classes, the teacher is always saying 'it's all about creating space in our bodies."
When I took that approach off the mat and applied it to my life overall, I felt better.
I am drafting a post, that I connect with this on the levels of how our work-life, duties, and responsibilities can filter into our personal lives and change us.
I thank you for sharing these ideas with us.
PS. That TV cabinet is so refreshing to look at. I struggle to focus and watch television especially if anything is distracting around it. In your living room, I think I could focus on the screen, with such organisation.
Hi Camille,
Thank you, I'm glad we decided to take this one with us to our current home. I will share furniture stories next time of the treasured items we had lost in the typhoon.
Haha, yes wash them or throw them away. That's something I remember clearly well, you always had a clean kitchen counter and floors. Everywhere in fact. I do follow your tip on carrots preservation whenever we purchased more than planned. Looking forward to reading your views and experiences on the connections and minimalism's impact on work-life duties and responsibilities. Happy Tuesday!
When I think about it, I declutter my things once a week just when I just need my mind to clear. Lol. and it really works. And when I go through my clothes, I'd still catch myself saying "why did I buy this one?" realizing I haven't used that piece of clothing once. So I got a bag of clothes waiting to be sent to my cousin now.
Being a minimalist is truly liberating! but I think I can never be truly a minimalist when it comes to my crystals. 😂
It feels light and rejuvenating in a way, right? The sense of satisfaction and a mental pat on the back for a clearer space. I am impressed by your crystal collection, by the way. Keep what gives you joy.
Haha! I'd give myself more than just a pat in the back... A trip to the spa for a massage! 🤣 but just once a month.
Niceee, more pats on the back then haha..
Practicing minimalism is life-changing but I wasnt able to continue it myself. maybe one day I'll be able to get back to it. I want an even simpler life right now.
It's okay, whatever you think and feel is right for you now, it's all part of your journey. Life steered us in this direction through acceptance and detachment.
Just exactly what I want to hear. Thanks Arni!💚💚💚
Looks like another successful round of decluttering, both the physical space and the non-physical (mind...etc). Eliminating social media and all that probably gives you more time to focus on what matter in life and is probably way more peaceful as well.
Hi @leaky20, it was a very timely, and good decision, election campaigns dominated the newsfeed and upcoming election fights are at an all-time high so the deactivation brought a lot of peace. It made me realize, that I am already in touch with friends through SMS or direct messaging so it saved me hours of scroll time per day. That time was used to do gardening or other projects instead.
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