I’ve been a minimalist for a long time.  Not just with physical items, but in general.  I think less is more.  If you have too much going on, it makes it very difficult to focus on and find what’s truly important.  

I don’t like having a lot of stuff around me.  It feels claustrophobic and chaotic.  It definitely stifles my creativity.

Also, from a purely practical perspective – it just makes it a pain in the ass to clean!  I like simple and easy for my household chores.  Nothing on my counters, I can just clean them so easily.

I don’t use minimalism as a dogma, more as a loose guide to motivate me.  To remind me when I stray a bit too far.  I watch some videos, read some books and am reminded of why it first appealed to me all those years ago.

I noticed that I tend to keep things around ‘just in case I need it sometime’.  

Also, if I buy in bulk, things accumulate.

Or someone bought it for me and I feel bad getting rid of it.

There are things I like the idea of, but aren’t really useful or practical for my life right now.

Books I bought that I’d read eventually.  When I should be focused on finishing the one I’m reading currently.

Sketchbooks that I’d fill someday, when I should just be filling up the one I started.

Clothes I love are not hard to find, but too much amounts to a volume that I loose track of.  I only have one body, and only so many opportunities to wear different outfits. I noticed if I have too much, I loose track of the items I truly love. I keep clothes for a very long time.  It’s a bit embarrassing, but I had some items for like 10-15 years.  It’s amazing they still fit.  It’s hard to get rid of the right clothes. There are some pieces that I loved, but just looked worn and had to get rid of.  But I never found that exact item again.  Also, shoes are similar. This has happened with a particular pair of boots that I wore until the heel fell off.  LOL.  Never was able to get those boots again and I’m still sad about it.  They fit perfectly – perfect heel, perfect height below the knee, they really were the perfect pair of boots.   The brand was Aerosoles and I’m pretty sure I got them at Sears.

Anyway,  I took a very long, detailed look at what I have and was very honest with myself.  Yes, I made mistakes buying some of this stuff.  But keeping around things you don’t use doesn’t change the fact that it was a mistake to buy them.  I got caught up in the fun of shopping.  Some of this stuff has been here for years.   And really, I don’t shop too much anymore.  I no longer go to the store (online or otherwise) to just browse.  It’s a dangerous thing to do if you don’t need anything.  You’re guaranteed to find something, whether needed or not.

Even so, I still have some clutter.  I filled quite a few bags that will be donated.  It feels much better knowing that there’s a possibility other people can use these things.  I had to throw some things away that were just not able to be donated.

I feel a bit lighter with more clarity.  I still have more to do. 

But most important is to not replace the stuff with other stuff. 

To pause before I shop, really ask myself if this item is needed, right now. 

And to not buy something with the thought of using it someday.

To know that I have enough.