When You Want to Live a Less Cluttered Life

Why do we buy and buy? Maybe we try to fill a need by accumulating more and more. Stuff does not satisfy. We may enjoy it for a time, but in the long run, we end up just filling our closets and drawers with unnecessary clutter. I’ve been trying to live a less cluttered life.

Shopping has always been one of my favorite things to do. I have good memories with my mom and fun times with friends. I remember my mom and I riding the bus across the river to go shopping in Wheeling. Or we would drive an hour to Pittsburgh to shop at the big malls. We shopped till we dropped! I love shopping!

I can always find something to buy in just about in any store, whether it’s something 75% off or full price. Or just something I like even if I don’t really need it.

Our spare closet was full of my suits, dresses and dress clothes from my working days. I had more than enough. Even though I had not worked for a few years, I had a hard time parting with them. I would try to ignore this closet. Or think I would wear them again. Finally, I thought if I do work again I probably would not wear these types of clothes or they may not fit anyway. So I gathered them all up and donated them to an organization that helps women getting back on their feet. Keeping these ladies in mind helped to part with my clothing.

Once I delivered the clothes, I felt free. It felt good to clean my closet out and also to know I was giving them to a good cause. Some ladies were going to look nice on their job interview.

Books are another weakness of mine. I’ve banned myself from buying any book until I read the 100+ on my Kindle and get through my bookshelves. I can do this!

Now that I’m in my 50’s, I am determined to live a simpler life. And that includes less stuff to take care of. I have to just stay away from the mall unless I’m looking for a specific item.

There are many methods out there for decluttering. They are very helpful. If you don’t have the determination none of the methods will work. It’s so easy to avoid cleaning out closets and drawers. It is work, mentally and physically. It starts with determination.

Be determined to live a less cluttered life

These are a few tips to help us live with less clutter:

1. Find an organization with a mission you believe in to donate to. Many have thrift shops or help needy families. Think of helping others.

2. If an item is sentimental but you don’t have a place for it, take a picture with a digital camera and save it that way. Less clutter but you have the memory.

3. Learn to let go. Most items you will never sell for what you think it is worth. Learn to take a lesser price.

4. Spend time and money on experiences rather than stuff. Create memories.

I still have a ways to go with some clothes and books but I’m happy to be making some progress.

 

How about you? Are you in a season of decluttering? Or maybe you know you need to get started but don’t know where to begin. Start slow, maybe with one drawer as you are putting laundry away, then the next drawer another time and so on. Before you know it you will have cleaned out your entire dresser.

I guarantee you will feel so good about your accomplishment to declutter.

Less truly is more.

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