Lifestyle
Simple steps to living with less
It’s so easy to fall into the trap. Before you know it, it overwhelms you. Accumulating possessions can happen without us noticing and before long there’s just too much. Perhaps it’s time for a quick stocktake. Have you considered living with less? It doesn’t have to be hard work – it’s possible to keep it simple. Try this:
- Work systematically
- Have a plan
- Be generous
- Enjoy
Work systematically
Work your way through the rooms in your home systematically. Give yourself a deadline for each area so that it doesn’t become an endless exercise. Set aside a Saturday or Sunday afternoon and tackle only one room per weekend. That will feel more manageable and before you know it, you’ll have worked your way through the whole place.
Group together what belongs together. For example, when you get to your wardrobe, fold and stack the sweaters you wear most, and set aside the ones you’ve not worn for the last six months. Whether you pass them onto someone in need or sell them, they shouldn’t be taking up space.
Have a plan
Think about what to do with the things you get rid of. There are many worthy causes you could donate to, instead of simply throwing things away. Chucking it on the rubbish heap defeats the purpose because that’s one of the big reasons to live with less – limiting waste. You could take unused toys or kids’ clothes to a children’s home. Or sort out your garage and kitchen and donate to an organisation like Boys Town or Girls Town, where youngsters are taught skills to help them find jobs. You won’t have to go far to find a person in need.
Be generous
Generosity feels good. Passing things on to people who need them and will use them, is rewarding. Remember, you’re also making more space in your home, so it’s really worthwhile effort!
Enjoy
You’ve done the work, now enjoy the fruits of your labour. Once you’ve sorted out what will stay and what will go, you can set about organising what’s left. You’ll be amazed at how much space you’ve created and how good it is to have breathing room instead of being surrounded by clutter.
The final step in the process is that there is no final step. The most important thing is to do this regularly – it’s not a one-off exercise. Do it a few times a year and you’ll never get to a place again where you feel as if your possessions are overwhelming both you and your home.