Stop your belongings from owning you, by clearing your life of clutter.
Here are four easy tips.
Most of us own too many possessions and, even so, we still probably have a list of additional items that we’d like to own! Our lives are filled with clutter, and clutter requires attention!
Have you ever really considered how much time and energy you put into your possessions?
You’re not just investing money in a new item, you’re starting a new relationship with an object that you’re going to be sharing your life with.
You don’t have to move countries
to cut down on your stuff.”
In order to make time for self-care protocols that will lead to a longer life, you will need to simplify some aspects of your everyday living experience.
Owning possessions is complicated. Purchasing, storing and maintaining material objects requires your attention — maybe too much of your attention. It’s important to remember this when making a new purchase and ask yourself: “is it really worth it?“
Lighter Load
Personally, I am from England and moved to California last year. When I did this, I decided it would be best if I cut my belongings down to fit the airline’s allowance of two pieces of luggage.
I gave away furniture, sold off my DVD collection, donated books to charity, and gave clothes to those without a fashion-sense. In fact, dropping off my old belongings felt really good – not just because it would raise funds for charity but because it meant the items would find a new home where they could be appreciated more.
More expensive items went on eBay and sold for far more than I originally expected — it really is a seller’s market so consider that when offloading any unwanted items.
Each time I got rid of something I felt physically lighter. I was very proud of myself and regularly preached my new (almost) possession-free lifestyle to anyone that would listen.
A friend then told me “That must feel so great, I’d love to do something like that.” But he could, if he really wanted to. You don’t have to move countries to cut down on your stuff. Of course, it’s hardly practical to cut your possessions down to two suitcases, but a lighter load will free up time, space and energy.
If you can’t see the appeal yet, just think about how much you enjoy vacuuming. Are you with me? Good!
Minimize Your Possessions
I am now wary when purchasing new items, I’d rather get a book from the library than own it, or download an album (legally, or course) than buy the CD. I’ll also have more frequent charity donating-purges (instead of waiting until the next time I change continents).
When thinking about your future clutter-free lifestyle, have a “room sweep.” I’ll let Dane explain in this video:
Clear Your Head, Clear Your Clutter
De-cluttering can be a brutal experience, especially if you have an emotional attachment to some of your things. Here are a few tips to help get you started:
- The Success Ritual: I would always clean-and-clear before starting a project, and I mistook this for procrastination until someone told me I was just making room for success. Remind yourself that by clearing your home of unwanted things you’re making room for success.
- Useful or Beautiful: When my wife has a clear-out, she asks herself one question: “Is this item useful or beautiful?” If not, then it goes.
- Share a Memory: Mementos can be hard to purge. Tell a loved-one the story behind your nik-nak before getting rid of it. It’s almost like the memory has been released from the item.
- One Out, One In: Once you’ve found a balance, any new items you buy have to replace old ones, not join them. Remember your home is at capacity, and no-one is coming in until someone leaves (this policy works for nightclubs, so why not your home?)
Take Action
Go ahead and bust that clutter! Please comment below and let us know how your new streamlined lifestyle is coming along!
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