There is a distinction. You are not your stuff. Although you may feel an attachment to your possessions do not let them own you.
Cull. Purge. Clean out. Throw away. And then containerize what you want. Keep only what you like. Things that spark joy in your life can stay. Everything else can go. Regift it. Give it a new home. Only surround yourself with items that are useful and beautiful. Remove all useless and ugly objects from around your space. Your home is your space. Make the life that you want in your home. Dream it. Live it.
Saturday 2 May 2015
You won't miss your stuff!
Life will rapidly change as your cull excess stuff from your life. It's rare that you will miss your stuff. After you have let it go from your life you may think about certain items you gave but you probably won't miss them.
The hardest thing for me to part with are baby clothes. My three children are so precious to me and their first year of life has been so wonderful. Because I love my children so much it makes my attachment to their baby clothes quite strong
My first child's clothes I kept until she was five. And my son's clothes I parted with at four years old because a nephew was being born which made it much easier. For my third child I parted with her cloth nappies (diapers) first. I enjoyed feeling like a 'real Mum' by washing nappies this time. But I figure that if I do have a fourth child I won't have time to wash cloth nappies. Right now I am doing 2-3 loads of washing so I can't see myself washing cloth nappies too.
Once I parted with the nappies I realized that the baby phase was well over. I am about to turn 39 and may not have anymore children. And if I do what are the chances of giving birth to another girl? Only 50/50! From experience I know when you have a baby you are blessed with lots of brand new baby clothes. Plus, I had ten people give me preloved clothes for my third child. So, why do I need to keep these baby clothes? I had many more reasons than memories to send them to a new home than to store them 'just incase' one day I might have another daughter.
Memories are best kept in our heart than cluttering up our homes with objects to remember them. Objects only hold us back from living in the now. To live a better now also means a brighter future.
The hardest thing for me to part with are baby clothes. My three children are so precious to me and their first year of life has been so wonderful. Because I love my children so much it makes my attachment to their baby clothes quite strong
My first child's clothes I kept until she was five. And my son's clothes I parted with at four years old because a nephew was being born which made it much easier. For my third child I parted with her cloth nappies (diapers) first. I enjoyed feeling like a 'real Mum' by washing nappies this time. But I figure that if I do have a fourth child I won't have time to wash cloth nappies. Right now I am doing 2-3 loads of washing so I can't see myself washing cloth nappies too.
Once I parted with the nappies I realized that the baby phase was well over. I am about to turn 39 and may not have anymore children. And if I do what are the chances of giving birth to another girl? Only 50/50! From experience I know when you have a baby you are blessed with lots of brand new baby clothes. Plus, I had ten people give me preloved clothes for my third child. So, why do I need to keep these baby clothes? I had many more reasons than memories to send them to a new home than to store them 'just incase' one day I might have another daughter.
Memories are best kept in our heart than cluttering up our homes with objects to remember them. Objects only hold us back from living in the now. To live a better now also means a brighter future.
Friday 1 May 2015
Minimalist Shoe wardrobe. How many shoes do you really need?
From what I have seen on YouTube, some women own lots of shoes.
Throughout my life I have preferred bags over shoes. If it wasn't a nice purple hand bag it was a fun back pack with lots of compartments and zippers.
After learning how to become more of a minimalist (as much as permits as a Mum of three children) and consolidating my wardrobe to be in line with my BiCapsule Wardrobe an unusual thing has happened. Instead of having a fettish for bags I now have the time to realize my lack of shoes and my need for them. For the first time in my life I am focussing on building up my collection of shoes to complement my BiCapsule Wardrobe.
If you asked me yesterday morning how many pairs of pairs of shoes I owned I would have said five. But due to earning some money organising the cupboard of a local family I decided to use the funds i earned on myself!
I had done some research online the night before my purchase. I checked out styles and colours of shoes and boots I thought might be suitable. I was originally going to purchase two pairs of boots. One pair of gumboots and a fancier, dressier boot was my plan. However, the shop I went to only had one pair of colourful gumboots left that were way too small. The shop assistant sent me down the road to our local shoe store where I was introduced to Bogs. They are a wet-suit style boot great in the cold and the wet, yet they are attractive and comfortable enough for everyday wear.
So, my shoe count is sitting on six. But I still have a few more purchases to make. I want to replace my worn out joggers/sneakers/runners. I also need some black ballet flats for everyday wear and more formal occassions.
I think the ideal number of shoes for a woman is seven. There are a few options depending on your lifestyle. A true minimalist can live with one pair. I think I have always been a minimalist at heart because in my twenties when I was studying at university there was a point where I only owned a pair of leather clogs (similar to crocs).
The ideal wardrobe of shoes for me would include :
1) Fancy thongs (flip flops) for a day at the beach and casual occassions
2) A good quality pair of sneakers (trainers) for every day wear and informal occasions and my daily walk and work.
3) A nice pair of sandals with a small heals for when I want to feel a little dressed up
4) A pair of all purpose boots
5) Cozy slippers for cold days and relaxing evenings
6) Ballet flats for weather when sandals
and thongs are too cold.
7) Beautiful heals for formal events like a wedding
As I don't have any formal events looming I am aiming for six pairs of shoes for now. As I mentioned, my boots are brand new. I have a red pair of sandles for Summer. When Summer roles around my thongs will need replacing. I bought my slippers a year ago and they are doing well. All I need to buy are the ballet flats and sneakers. I have tried coloured ones in the past. They were purple and didn't match anything except my purple shirt. My BiCapsule Wardrobe is quite neutral so red, black or navy ballet flats would be suitable. And as for my sneakers; they have done so well but are due for retirement. So, my next purchase will be some black or possibly red or navy sneakers.
And with all these I will have seven pairs of shoes as I currently have two pairs of sandles. So, next time you go shoe shopping think about which of these seven you need the most. For those who need dressier boots too you could do without the gumboots or just wear thongs instead of the slippers. Or have nice thongs that double as sandles. And ladies if you already have each of these or multiples find a new hobby to spend your money on or save up for a trip to Paris so you will have an excuse to wear what you already have.
Throughout my life I have preferred bags over shoes. If it wasn't a nice purple hand bag it was a fun back pack with lots of compartments and zippers.
After learning how to become more of a minimalist (as much as permits as a Mum of three children) and consolidating my wardrobe to be in line with my BiCapsule Wardrobe an unusual thing has happened. Instead of having a fettish for bags I now have the time to realize my lack of shoes and my need for them. For the first time in my life I am focussing on building up my collection of shoes to complement my BiCapsule Wardrobe.
If you asked me yesterday morning how many pairs of pairs of shoes I owned I would have said five. But due to earning some money organising the cupboard of a local family I decided to use the funds i earned on myself!
I had done some research online the night before my purchase. I checked out styles and colours of shoes and boots I thought might be suitable. I was originally going to purchase two pairs of boots. One pair of gumboots and a fancier, dressier boot was my plan. However, the shop I went to only had one pair of colourful gumboots left that were way too small. The shop assistant sent me down the road to our local shoe store where I was introduced to Bogs. They are a wet-suit style boot great in the cold and the wet, yet they are attractive and comfortable enough for everyday wear.
So, my shoe count is sitting on six. But I still have a few more purchases to make. I want to replace my worn out joggers/sneakers/runners. I also need some black ballet flats for everyday wear and more formal occassions.
I think the ideal number of shoes for a woman is seven. There are a few options depending on your lifestyle. A true minimalist can live with one pair. I think I have always been a minimalist at heart because in my twenties when I was studying at university there was a point where I only owned a pair of leather clogs (similar to crocs).
The ideal wardrobe of shoes for me would include :
1) Fancy thongs (flip flops) for a day at the beach and casual occassions
2) A good quality pair of sneakers (trainers) for every day wear and informal occasions and my daily walk and work.
3) A nice pair of sandals with a small heals for when I want to feel a little dressed up
4) A pair of all purpose boots
5) Cozy slippers for cold days and relaxing evenings
6) Ballet flats for weather when sandals
and thongs are too cold.
7) Beautiful heals for formal events like a wedding
As I don't have any formal events looming I am aiming for six pairs of shoes for now. As I mentioned, my boots are brand new. I have a red pair of sandles for Summer. When Summer roles around my thongs will need replacing. I bought my slippers a year ago and they are doing well. All I need to buy are the ballet flats and sneakers. I have tried coloured ones in the past. They were purple and didn't match anything except my purple shirt. My BiCapsule Wardrobe is quite neutral so red, black or navy ballet flats would be suitable. And as for my sneakers; they have done so well but are due for retirement. So, my next purchase will be some black or possibly red or navy sneakers.
And with all these I will have seven pairs of shoes as I currently have two pairs of sandles. So, next time you go shoe shopping think about which of these seven you need the most. For those who need dressier boots too you could do without the gumboots or just wear thongs instead of the slippers. Or have nice thongs that double as sandles. And ladies if you already have each of these or multiples find a new hobby to spend your money on or save up for a trip to Paris so you will have an excuse to wear what you already have.
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