Minimalist in a Materialist's World

It is hard to have a minimalist's heart in this world. Everyone is always telling you to measure your life. You not really successful unless you have the time consuming job that makes the big bucks. The big house, with the pretty and expensive stuff. If you have kids, you better have them in the BEST school money can buy and in every activity under the sun.

Not long ago we were having dinner at a new acquaintances home and we were talking about homes. We casually mentioned that ours is rather large compared to what we use to live in to which there was an immediate "Oh just wait, you'll need that space as the kids get older". My gut reaction was to say "I don't think so" but I didn't. What would be the point?

The more I dig into the views and ideals of minimalism the more I find that I tend to feel the need, at least in person, to keep them under wraps. Telling people you don't agree with such an ingrained culture really ruffles feathers. However being 'counter culture' has always been difficult, hasn't it?

We are in a situation where we have little say on the size of our housing. It is provided through my husband's work and is based on our family size. We have a few options but really they say "this is it, take it or leave it" and typically we just take it. In this case we ended up gaining several hundreds of feet in extra space. However, I would say most of us really miss our old home that was probably 1500sqft (maybe a touch more). I miss having less space to clean, and now it's just exhausting trying to keep up with this place.

If you are on your journey who do find gives you the most resistance? Family, friends, co-workers perhaps? Do they all seem to have a vision of you in an empty white space sitting on the floor with no possessions? What is your biggest struggle in trying to achieve your version of minimalism?

~Kay xxx

The Unavoidable Clutter

I think in everyone's lives there is a certain amount of unavoidable clutter. The unavoidable clutter is the clutter that you HAVE to keep. Maybe it's school, or work or a volunteer obligation which requires to keep certain things you don't use often but for my house it's my husbands work clutter. It's not one of those moments where my spouse won't get on board, because he literally has about zero control over it.

We are a military family. Before my husband joined I was sure we would gain structure, and order from the military. That is pretty much the most untrue misconception I had about what our life would be like. Instead it's "hurry up and wait", last minute changes, moving every few years and what feels like a never ending supply of specialty gear. Gas mask, caps, hats, outerwear, base layers, bags, tools, dress uniforms, dress shoes, boots. The amount of gear is mind boggling sometimes. It even has it's own large orange tote where it lives.

So I would love to hear from you, readers. What is the 'unavoidable clutter' in your home? What do you do to keep it tamed and from making your home feel chaotic?


Kay xx

Post Move Clean Up

So I am still slowly unpacking things. Which is probably crazy, though I would say 90% of our stuff is unpacked. I am still trying to make decisions on which pictures go where and that sort of thing. I have so much more wall space but for some reason I suddenly feel like all the pictures we have might be too much.

I think partially this sudden fear of having 'too many pictures' is because we had wonderful window ledges in Europe which provided space to put a few pictures without it giving the appearance of over crowding. If my husband and I ever 'settle down' and buy/build a house it WILL have ledges. I LOVE them.

I also saw a recent article that mentioned only framing and displaying the most important photos (like a wedding pictures) which also started making me evaluate what pictures we are displaying. Most of them are favorites but others probably could be switched out. So I might be re-evaluating some of those. Pictures are the toughest. The memories are there but the physical representations are hard to let go of and that is why we all need to keep them.

 Even with skipping the photos I have managed at least two large boxes of stuff to pitch and I have several other rooms left to go. I am so excited and relieved already to get rid of the extra junk. Even though I had de-junked before the move I find this time around I really need to do it after. It has been an amazing realization, for me, personally, to see what I really 'need' and clearly do not.

 So what about you? Do you de-own before or after moving? I'd love to hear from you!

Kay xxx