Maximum Gratitude, Minimal Stuff

Years ago, my home wasn't clutter-free.  I had two young children, and we homeschooled.  We had busy schedules.  We had a long list of things we wanted to buy, even though we already owned more than we needed.  Every closet, cupboard, and drawer was full.  The garage was full.  A large shed in the backyard was full.  And even though I decluttered pretty regularly (we held yard sales two or three times a year), our possessions never actually diminished because we always bought more... and more. Weekends were given over to cleaning, organizing, chores, and shopping.  We'd come home with new purchases we had to somehow fit into our already-too-full home – plus the credit card receipts that proved we were buying way too many things we couldn't actually afford. I didn't wake up one morning and say "I want to become a minimalist."  I did feel like I needed to clean up and pare down my home.  But learning to declutter for good – instead of be...

If you spend any time looking at minimalist lifestyle blogs, you've probably had your fill of images of white walls, white furnishings, and modernist decorative items that look meticulously arranged for their designer photo shoot. The rooms look like no one lives there.  Certainly, no one sits comfortably or does any entertaining.  The beautiful table settings are arranged for guests to ooh and aah over.  No one has actually eaten a meal there. And you can bet those rooms aren't open to pets or children.  If any toys are photographed, they're handmade, artisanal, all-wood items arranged one or two per shelf.  What's missing is color, variety, personality, and anything that looks like it's been used or enjoyed. The happy truth I have some great news:  A minimalist life doesn't have to be this way!  It doesn't have to be colorless and matchy-matchy.  If you've been worried that becoming minimalist requires boring conformity, you can stop right now. ...

Here's the problem that can make decluttering feel like an ultra-marathon of decision fatigue.... When you pick up each item and ask "Does this make me happy?" you're suddenly confronted with all of the stories and feelings attached to that item.  Especially if you've owned things for a while, you inherited them, or you're in your empty-nest years, you have plenty of memories and emotions attached to your belongings. Ask a different question. Instead, ask yourself "Where will this fit?"  If the shelf in your linen closet will hold six bath towels neatly and comfortably, make that your "towel cap."  If the shelf in your kitchen will hold eight mugs without having to cram them in or play a frustrating game of Jenga, that's your "mug cap."  If your new, empty-nest-sized living room has space for a love seat and two easy chairs, it's time to donate or sell that huge sectional. None of these decisions are emotional.  They'r...