min·i·mal·ism

• A trend in sculpture and painting that arose in the 1950s and used simple, typically massive, forms.
• An avant-garde movement in music characterized by the repetition of very short phrases that change gradually, producing a hypnotic effect.

As I simplify my life, and make more time for meaningful relationships, here’s what’s been working for me, and what I hope you find useful:

This was a game changer for me. What this basically means is that, before you buy that tank top, pair of pants, new bag, or tool, get rid of a similar item that no longer serves you. This will immediately halt the influx of more stuff. By following this basic rule, you will stop the momentum and begin to raise your awareness of what you actually have and what you really NEED. You might also find that you have more time for how you actually WANT to spend your time. I still get kind of giddy when I think about when I first realized how simple and rewarding this could be. I wrote about it here http://beallthere.net/2015/04/25/live-more-with-less/

This came fairly easy once I realized I was holding onto some real junk! Go through your clothes, housewares, personal care items, tools, gardening and home office items, everything, and really look at it. Get rid of old, ripped, stained, chipped, expired, duplicate, broken, stretched out, ill-fitting, items. If you’re like me, you’re holding onto some really old things and you don’t even know why, it’s just that you never thought to get rid of them. This will take time, so be patient, and I’ve found that I go through cycles. I discard things that obviously need to go, live with what’s left, then dig a little deeper next time, if it feels right. I took this opportunity to upgrade in a few areas. I got rid of my old, pitted, stained plastic storage containers and replaced them with glass storage containers, something I’ve wanted to do for a while. I gave away 6 bags and got two good quality ones. They are versatile enough to use for many occasions and, since they are of good quality, they will last a long time. We’re worth it!

If you have things that are nice, use them! If you’re like me, you’re saving the “nice soap”  and that luxurious hand cream for someone really special. We all deserve nice things and if you have them, use them for yourself and your family! Since I started this journey, I haven’t run out of  nice soap yet! I’ve also found that I buy new shampoo and conditioner before I run out of my old stuff, therefore, I have several almost empty bottles in my shower. If this sounds familiar to you, I urge you to use up what you have BEFORE buying more. I experimented with this and I had enough shampoo and conditioner in those almost empty bottles that lasted for a few months! Using what you have is a great way to minimize your stuff and save money. Why hang onto it if you’re not going to use it?

Luckily, my husband has fully embraced minimalism, but, if your family is not yet on board, just focus on your own stuff. I think you’ll find that you’ll create an interest in what you’re doing, and other family members will find it as exciting as you!

I chose to stop checking work email at home, to limit my time on social media and to continue to choose interacting with people around me rather than getting lost in my phone.

Instead of constantly checking Facebook, for example, I check it 2 or 3 times per day. I realized I didn’t miss anything. I’ve stuck to most of these boundaries, but, I have to admit, I need to do another social media cleanse since I’ve gotten off track with this.

When I limit my screen time, I’m more present for myself and those I love. I’ve always said that we are not designed to take in and process the huge amount of information that technology provides. It’s overwhelming and stressful. Limiting my screen time created more calmness and focus in my life and I think it can for you too. Give it a try!