Recently, I re-read Dusti Arab’s ebook Conquer The Clutter (no longer available).
I love her no-crap approach to paring down. She is on the extreme end of minimalism, and you can see that in her writing. She suggests (with few exceptions) that anything you haven’t used in 30 days needs to go.
She really made me think though. In her book, she states that you only really need four things:
- clothing
- hygiene items
- kitchenware
- a bed
And essentially, she’s right. Assuming you have a roof over your head, those are the bare essentials for living.
For most of us, being this extreme is not practical, or even desirable, but put aside judgement for a moment and think about what it would be like.
Imagine your house bare of everything except those things above.
Aside from the massive space you would suddenly find yourself living in, what would happen to your life?
You would need to do something with your time, so what would you do?
You would probably end up buying things, so what would you buy?
What kind of life would you build if you started all over again?
Would it look anything like what you currently have, or would it be something completely different?
The beauty of this kind of exercise is it temporarily frees us from everything we have and allows us to imagine something completely different.
Who would you be? Would you still be the same without all of your things?
As much as I love the idea of giving away almost everything, I am not yet able to be so ruthless. However, thinking about what I would do with my time and energy if I lived in an almost empty house makes it easier for me to look at my things with fresh eyes and let them go.
You would still end up doing something, even if you had nothing.
So what would you do?
For decluttering inspiration, see my Ultimate Guide To Decluttering Your Home, or even the most in-depth course I’ve created on how minimalism can change your life.
Action Points
Is there anything you’re currently doing that you can let go of?
- Close your eyes and imagine for a moment your house empty of everything except the essentials.
- Think about what you would be drawn to doing with your time.
- Open your eyes and think about what you spend your time on now.
I have lived a very simple life. Raised a son in this life. One great man now. My hubby works away three weeks and is home three weeks. We have done well with less. I could not live any other way. I have been called weird. I have told I just exist and do not live! Of course they do not see me…they see their own selves. Other women try to redo my home. They try to take me shopping for nicer clothing. They tell me I should wear makeup. My hubby of 31 years says I have natural beauty and I fo not need their make overs. My life is beautiful, yet I am invisible. I know what I have. I am grateful.
Breaks my heart to hear comments like the one above by Barbara Bolton!
I too have been called werid, told I need makeup & clothes, my mom says my house looks sterile etc etc….
But what I see is people running in circles, never have time to spend with a friend, ones you need to make apts well in advance bc they say their house isn’t unpresentable, & ones
feeling frazzeled etc etc.
I have a husband & a home schooled child. But I still tell my friends you can pop-in any time, as long as not to early or late. My house can be deep cleaned a couple times threw out the year bc its easy to take care of, & tidied daily in 5-15 min. I have time for my family, Bible study, journaling, exercise, walking trails & my friends.
In my opinion, living simply (within reason) gives you a much more enjoyable, less stress, richer life.