My minimalism journey
If you've been following my Instagram Stories, you know that my friend Amie has me on this minimalism train.
When I first heard her use the word minimalism, I'll be honest, I thought she was a little crazy. "I'll watch from the sidelines," I thought. "But I'm not about that life."
I pictured a stark white loft apartment with two shirts in the closet. One plate in the cupboard. A mini fridge. A rule that you could only own 52.5 items.
What I picture when I hear the word, “minimalist”
What I didn't realize is that minimalism can be that, but there are different shades. The Minimalists describe a variety of minimalists. Some with children, some without. Some who live in tiny houses, some who live in large houses. All who live a life that's free from excess — whatever that means to them.
“Minimalism is a tool that can assist you in finding freedom. Freedom from fear. Freedom from worry. Freedom from overwhelm. Freedom from guilt. Freedom from depression. Freedom from the trappings of the consumer culture we’ve built our lives around. Real freedom.”
After watching Amie's Instagram stories on her @mommagoesminimal account (you should totally follow along, it's amazing), I was intrigued. She was converting chaos into Pinterest-worthy organization, one 15-second Instagram story at a time. Like magic.
This isn’t my home, but isn’t it lovely?
So I started with my tank top drawer. A simple task that felt achievable. I had so many tank tops that there were some buried in my drawer I had forgotten I owned. Some with stains or tears. Some maternity tanks that no longer fit me. I eliminated the ones I don't wear and then Amie came over and gave me a lesson in the KonMari style of folding that maximizes your space and helps you see EVERYTHING in your drawer.
Excuse the weird editing. The only photos I took were from Instagram Stories. :)
The tank top drawer was my gateway drug. I tackled the rest of my dresser that weekend. Then I tackled my closet, using my dresser for most of my clothes and only hanging things like jackets, fancy shirts and dresses that do best in a closet. I took the tubs of seasonal clothes that were hiding in my basement and was able to fit ALL OF MY FREAKING CLOTHES in my dresser and closet. Amazing.
This drawer was once overflowing.
I was addicted and ready to tackle more rooms in my house. Amie loaned me her copy of Marie Kondo's The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up (the author is the creator of the KonMari method of folding, if you didn't catch that). In her book, she describes the process she uses with her clients. Her methods involve a practice of gratitude and appreciation. Of choosing joy as your guideline for sorting things. I think she's a yogi at heart. :)
One by one I tackled each category and space in our home. Things that used to live on table tops and counters now have their own home on a shelf ... and I don't mean "shoved somewhere in that shelf".
Our bedroom in our new home
How minimalism changed my life
Maybe it sounds dramatic to say that tidying up has changed my life. But I'm not being dramatic. IT HAS CHANGED MY LIFE in so many ways.
I am more appreciative of everything we have
I am aware of every single thing we own and know where it all lives
Our home that used to seem "too small" now feels like an oasis (I wrote this before we moved. We have a bigger house now but I’m not eager to fill it with stuff. I love having empty drawers and cabinets!)
I feel less anxious at home
I enjoy folding laundry, doing dishes and tidying — it's my daily gratitude practice instead of a dreaded chore
Walking through our house brings me peace and I have more space to focus on my passions (I don't feel like I "should be" doing something else)
Like I said, I started this post before we moved into a larger home. You know how things usually seem to fall into place? It seems perfect that I got on the minimalism train before we decided to move. It made packing and moving to a different state so much less daunting. And unpacking went really quickly!
I’m eternally grateful to Amie for introducing me to this way of living. If you’re interested in loving more with less, check out this book. And for inspiration, follow these Instagram accounts:
@mommagoesminimal
@minimalismandmotherhood
@theminimalmom
@mytidyworld
Happy tidying.