Way back in 2019, I watched a popular Netflix show entitled “Tidying up with Marie Kondo.” It was weird that a show about cleaning up should be so popular but the show was very entertaining and the fans, including me, couldn’t stop harping on Marie Kondo’s revolutionary Konmari method.
According to the Spruce, the Konmari method “encourages people to get rid of items that no longer have a purpose (or no longer “spark joy”) and keep items that are purposeful and meaningful.”
I tried to incorporate the Konmari method in cleaning my stuff. Although, it was difficult since I am a generally messy person and a bit of a hoarder. Slowly, however, it has been easier to let go of stuff that no longer “sparks joy”. Anyway, things had taken up a notch when I discovered minimalism.
It was a somewhat similar idea to Marie Kondo’s Konmari method wherein you let go of unwanted and unused stuff but it also includes not buying things you don’t really need in the first place. It doesn’t only apply to stuff, minimalism is a lifestyle. It also applies to the food we eat, career choices, and even in writing.
What I learned about minimalism has been inspiring. Advocates of minimalism suggest that it can help you find freedom in many aspects of life. Freedom from consumerism and debts. It can also free up your time since minimalism can lessen time spent cleaning, maintaining and shopping stuff. You’d also have the financial freedom to support causes you’re passionate about. Aside from all the freedom it gives, by owning less stuff, you’re indirectly helping the environment.
The Minimalists have a great elevator pitch regarding minimalism:
Minimalism is a lifestyle that helps people question what things add value to their lives. By clearing the clutter from life’s path, we can all make room for the most important aspects of life: health, relationships, passion, growth, and contribution.
As mentioned in my previous post, I want to integrate minimalism more into my life, albeit slowly. As change has always been a gradual process for me. Here are some steps I want to take to incorporate minimalism into my life:
Declutter our house
I guess it’s the best place to start. Looking at the mess in our house is already stressful. The clutter was very distracting so I’d usually prefer going somewhere else when I want to trade or write. Also our house isn’t spacious so my little one and I tend to bump onto stuff quite a lot. It only makes sense to declutter.
For this, I may copy @mrprofessor ’s clever idea of selling 5 items a month. Clothes are a different story, though. We have a TON of them. I actually thought of donating some last year but a foundation rejected them since apparently, the DSWD discourages donating clothes due to the pandemic. I may just give them to people I know warning them of course to wash it and sun dry before wearing them. And I do have a harebrained idea of setting up a preloved items shop in shopee. At least, the people who’d get them really want them.
Avoid Impulse Buying
Buying online is one of the ways I de-stress. I’d browse on shopee for some fancy home improvement stuff that would complement the nordic theme I want to accomplish for the house or some new toys for my baby that promise she’d be super smart, busy and happy. Clicking on the ‘Place Order’ button brings a certain amount of joy. A few days after, the delivery guy would arrive bringing me ‘presents’ wrapped in plastic and bubble wraps. Of course, I’d be excited to open my package. After opening them, I’d be happy and proud.
After some time, only a few of them get really used or truly ‘spark joy’. I’d realize that the fancy new knife I bought was dull or the plastic plate organizer I got broke easily when I placed heavy plates. The battery-operated ice cream truck that I was sure my little one would love ended up ignored. Apparently, she likes pushing the cars herself and hated that it runs on its own.
Come one month and my credit card bill arrives. Then, I’d be stressed again.
I guess, for home improvement stuff, I’d think carefully if we really need them and I’d scrutinize more if they serve their purpose. If they’d just end up in the trash bin, no need to buy them. For baby toys, I won’t be buying any for this month, even for the next few months. She has so many toys already. One good advice I got was to rotate toys. I’d keep some and put them out when she no longer wants to play with the other toys. During special occasions, I’d just let her choose one.
Say No to Free Stuff I don’t Need
I used to love receiving hand-me-down clothes and other free stuff. However, most hand-me-downs are usually ill-fitting for me (since they’re not really bought for me) or they do not really match my style. As for the others, most end up as clutter and our house can no longer accommodate clutter. As for gifts, what do you do with gifts you don’t really need (or even want)? Any advice would be appreciated.
Use Less Car
If I’m not going to bring anything bulky, a bike, I guess, is better to bring than a car. We’d save on gas and it’s more environmentally-friendly. Aside from that, I’d get to exercise.
Declutter my mind
Hey, the mind gets cluttered too. I want to let go of excessive wants that won’t really make me happy or that would only upset the people around me. I also want to free myself from negative thoughts against others and feelings of self-doubts. As they say, let go of the noise and listen only to the music.
I am excited to start this journey as this may bring self-growth and hopefully, the feeling of freedom that minimalism promises. Actually, I was ecstatic to find this community on Hive. I hope that this community flourishes and that more people can discover minimalism.
This is such a fresher to the eyes! 😍 I would like to ask some advice on how I can encourage my mom to declutter T^T
We, (the whole fam) have been encouraging her to throw all the useless things but she doesn't want to. 😭
And I took the idea from @artemislives and her "Discard One Item Every Day & Blog About It". It's so cool that this idea is spreading throughout the blockchain.
It's absurd, isn't it? A good wash should get rid of any virus.
I'm glad to hear you are willing to use a bike instead of a car. Not only for the environment, but we end up saving a ton of money while exircising. Win win!
Discouraging clothing donations due to the virus? Glad that insanity hasn't reached us here in Asia! Urgh. What happened to bright sunshine as a great germ and virus killer??
LOL @mrprofessor I'm not discarding one thing every day, but I'm discarding 3-4-5 things every other day and making some serious progress, The energy is clearing around me and that feels good.
You're gonna end up with nothing! Jokes aside, let's see how far this idea goes on Hive. \o_
Apparently, I'm in Asia now, I live in the Philippines. My guess is they're trying to limit donations in kind to food only since they're saving up on shipping costs. The beneficiaries of the donations are the recent typhoon victims here and the trucks would need to go interisland
I agree, I hope this idea spreads around 😊
Hello @laviesm, I've enjoyed reading your post, and agree that Marie Kindo's philosophy has played an instrumental part in many persons'journeys towards minimalism.
I like the points that you have mentioned, and also believe that mrprofessor has an excellent approach and idea to living and making minimalism work in our life.
Decluttering of the mind for me is vital; one of the most important steps to be conscious of on this journey.
I thank you for stopping by, it's a pleasure to have you:)
Wouldn't have it any other way.. Thinking about it de-cluttering one's mind will lead someone to figure out what's really important to them. Hope our efforts towards this lifestyle become fruitful this year! Thank you for coming by and leaving some good vibes to my post.
Hi!
Stop buying, start saving to travel.
What i do.
Hi @vaipraonde, great idea 😊
You're very welocme. I admire your journey:)
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Hello @laviesm,
Hi @laviesm - great write-up. I watched Marie Kondo episodes in Netflix and wanted to declutter my house, but I have difficulties starting the process...
Hi @finntropy, thanks for dropping by! Maybe, you can blog about it? No kidding, I think it can help you get started 😁
Thank you for the detailed post to explain about Minimalism and sharing your experiences about how to practice minimalism in your life.
I live in a small place too so every now and then, I would do an inspection around the flat to check if there are anything that we don't use and give it away. I find it is helpful for our life.
I also moved closer to my office so I just need to spend 30 minutes everyday to walk to work - both good for enviroment and myself.
For unwanted gifts, I often ask people I know if they would like the items or else I just donate it.
Thank you for sharing your own minimalism experience. At least I now have a bit of an idea on how to proceed with decluttering unwanted gifts.
Hello Lavie, I enjoyed reading about your minimalism journey. You nailed a lot of great points.
Saying no to free stuff is something I found quite challenging, especially books! I remember several months ago, I was approached by a friend who was giving away a van full of French books to the Alliance Francaise library and I was free to choose any and how many books I wanted. Since it's very difficult to find french books in bookstores here in our country, the greedy side of me wanted it all hahaha. I eventually picked 3 which are still lying on my bedside table. Started them but all unfinished. So when I received another set of books after that, one of which was from millycf1976, I made it a point to read them, keep them if they're something that I will keep coming back to, or pass them on when I'm done.
Well if books are your thing, it's fine to take those free stuffs and keep them. Books "spark joy" to you anyways. You can start with the other free stuff I guess.
This post has to be one of the best things that happened to me this new year, this is because I and my puppy Onyx moved into a new apartment in December and it's taking so long for it to take shape.
Firstly, thank you for mentioning "Tidying up with Marie Kondo", I hadn't heard of it before now but I am already enjoying it a lot. Started midway through reading your post and I have been loving it.
Also, I have always thought of myself as a minimalist but the points you made about holding only on to
things that spark joy is making me realize there is still much to do.
I like to think of myself as someone who looks like I have things covered on the surface, so at first glance, I might look like a neat freak but in the real sense I just seem to bury all the clutter underneath well-arranged surfaces. My brother gave me the nickname "surface value".
Reading your post first enlightened me, and then pointed me in the direction of Marie Kondo and the Konmari method. I intend to stay on this course and make this place a home for myself and Onyx.
Did you know that you were the first person to give me a warm welcome on Hive with a follow? I am so grateful for that follow and I'm so enjoying the journey.
Please I would love to get feedback from you.
This is an entry to the @comet.ranker #ping competition. I think you should take a look at it too.
#ping
Way to make the effort to connect @pappyelblanco! 🙌
I really love reading this blog. Thank you for sharing this. 😊
"Declutter my mind" is what gets me. I wanna do it too. ❤️
I like Declutter the Mind most - cos when the mind is clear we generally don't impulse buy or surround ourselves with "stuff" that isn't fir for the purpose.
So nice to see people all around the world starting to be CONSCIOUS of what they can release in order to live lighter and freer.
Yep, It all starts with a decluttered mind..
I find that when we are able to remove ourselves from the noise, and filter out what isn't going to be conducive to our goals. This will bring us freedom and peace of mind.
This used to be me but I learned to say, 'no, thanks! I don't need more clothes'
It's so freeing! Happy for your minimalist journey.