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
Saturday, May 2, 2015
Thursday, February 19, 2015
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
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
Friday, January 9, 2015
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!
Monday, December 22, 2014
Moving House
It has been a month since I last updated. I haven't been ignoring this page but life was extremely busy! We just moved about 9 time zones and several thousands of miles which has mean life has been a bit crazy.
In this season of giving stuff it has been interesting to get our personal belongings. I have to admit I have lost a little sight of my fewer things goal. Part of that was in a deep desire to make the season 'perfect' for my girls. So we re-purchased Christmas lights and basic decorations just to have a little bit of Christmas cheer before our things arrived this week.
However, when we were packed up I was sure we had gotten rid of SO much. Boy, was I wrong! All of the sudden I realized that I still have SO much stuff. I can say that a lot of it I didn't miss as much as I would have thought. Surprisingly it was mostly the kitchen stuff, and physical furniture. Our kids also really missed their toys and bedroom things. My hope is to take some of the boxes that our stuff have been packed up in and re-evaluate what is worth staying in my home.
I think on the potential chopping block is books (which is shocking. I have always loved having books in my home). I think my wardrobe is under scrutiny again as well as just cluttery 'keep sakes' that turn out to be just junk collecting.
One of my fears is that the house we are in is much larger than we are used to living in which leaves the risk of 'filling it up'. So we will be focusing on not adding unless it is truly necessary. I am realistic enough to know my husband and I do have to meet in the middle on the subject as well. So what do you think is the hardest aspect of cutting down on stuff in your home? Leave me a comment. I'd love to hear from you!
Kay xxx
In this season of giving stuff it has been interesting to get our personal belongings. I have to admit I have lost a little sight of my fewer things goal. Part of that was in a deep desire to make the season 'perfect' for my girls. So we re-purchased Christmas lights and basic decorations just to have a little bit of Christmas cheer before our things arrived this week.
However, when we were packed up I was sure we had gotten rid of SO much. Boy, was I wrong! All of the sudden I realized that I still have SO much stuff. I can say that a lot of it I didn't miss as much as I would have thought. Surprisingly it was mostly the kitchen stuff, and physical furniture. Our kids also really missed their toys and bedroom things. My hope is to take some of the boxes that our stuff have been packed up in and re-evaluate what is worth staying in my home.
I think on the potential chopping block is books (which is shocking. I have always loved having books in my home). I think my wardrobe is under scrutiny again as well as just cluttery 'keep sakes' that turn out to be just junk collecting.
One of my fears is that the house we are in is much larger than we are used to living in which leaves the risk of 'filling it up'. So we will be focusing on not adding unless it is truly necessary. I am realistic enough to know my husband and I do have to meet in the middle on the subject as well. So what do you think is the hardest aspect of cutting down on stuff in your home? Leave me a comment. I'd love to hear from you!
Kay xxx
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Virtual Hoarding
I have been in search of ways to simplify in all walks of my life. Then it hit me. One of my biggest hoards isn't cluttering my halls, closets and bedrooms. It's cluttering my computer. My virtual hoard.
I don't know about you, but I use to have SO many bookmarks. Things that I wanted to make sure I saved for later. Then, along came Pinterest. It was amazing. Organized. So like so many people I began pinning almost anything and everything that I could get my hands on. Was it pretty? Pin. Funny? Pin. Looks tasty and master chef level to make or bake? Pin that too!
The other day I realized I had around 40 boards on Pinterest. FORTY! I want to just say, I am in no way knocking those with loads of boards etc. It made me realize though that it is super easy to virtually hoard ideas, pretty things, stuff that just clutters up the stuff I actually want to do via Pinterest or other similar medias. I am currently working on decluttering my Pinterest boards, combining them and removing stuff I won't do anything with or is just a waste. For example, I deleted an entire board planning for my 10th Anniversary 'do over' wedding. My husband and I pretty much were miserable with our wedding and have always wanted to redo it. However, now that mark is only about 2 years away it seems less important. I moved the pins I saved of new wedding bands (which I think we will likely do) and deleted the rest. If we end up renewing our vows, awesome. I will make a board then. If not, no worries. I have been married for 7.5 years, have two kids, and doubt the plans I had are really what I want anymore.
Another virtual hoard in our house is pictures. I can't do anything about that at the moment as our move is underway and most of our electronics with our photos etc are packed and shipped. However, I save all pictures, even bad ones. We have spent the last few years traveling and of course you have to take a picture of every.single.thing least you forget it. I am hoping to work towards either making prints, photo albums or deleting some of the space but it's difficult. I love photography and my husband loves having photos. However, the fact I have an emotional response to deleting poor quality photos of my daughters, or of a place we have been shows the level of attachment that I don't feel I should have at all. Why am I so attached to a blurry photo of my kids? You can't even see what is going on!
So in an attempt to de-clutter my virtual space I have made goals. For example, I only pin non-hobby crafts if I actually plan to do them and then date them and have 6 months (at the moment that time frame could change) and if it doesn't get done, delete. On the flip side of that I am an active yarn crafter (knitting and crochet) and I sew so I have left those boards alone for now. Stuff with helpful information for others (or myself) stays at the moment as well. For example, my breastfeeding, cloth diapers and baby wearing boards all have information that can help others and promotes them so no deletes there.
How do you keep a handle on your virtual 'stuff'? Do you at all? Do you find things like Pinterest overwhelming or a helpful tool?
Kay xxx
I don't know about you, but I use to have SO many bookmarks. Things that I wanted to make sure I saved for later. Then, along came Pinterest. It was amazing. Organized. So like so many people I began pinning almost anything and everything that I could get my hands on. Was it pretty? Pin. Funny? Pin. Looks tasty and master chef level to make or bake? Pin that too!
The other day I realized I had around 40 boards on Pinterest. FORTY! I want to just say, I am in no way knocking those with loads of boards etc. It made me realize though that it is super easy to virtually hoard ideas, pretty things, stuff that just clutters up the stuff I actually want to do via Pinterest or other similar medias. I am currently working on decluttering my Pinterest boards, combining them and removing stuff I won't do anything with or is just a waste. For example, I deleted an entire board planning for my 10th Anniversary 'do over' wedding. My husband and I pretty much were miserable with our wedding and have always wanted to redo it. However, now that mark is only about 2 years away it seems less important. I moved the pins I saved of new wedding bands (which I think we will likely do) and deleted the rest. If we end up renewing our vows, awesome. I will make a board then. If not, no worries. I have been married for 7.5 years, have two kids, and doubt the plans I had are really what I want anymore.
Another virtual hoard in our house is pictures. I can't do anything about that at the moment as our move is underway and most of our electronics with our photos etc are packed and shipped. However, I save all pictures, even bad ones. We have spent the last few years traveling and of course you have to take a picture of every.single.thing least you forget it. I am hoping to work towards either making prints, photo albums or deleting some of the space but it's difficult. I love photography and my husband loves having photos. However, the fact I have an emotional response to deleting poor quality photos of my daughters, or of a place we have been shows the level of attachment that I don't feel I should have at all. Why am I so attached to a blurry photo of my kids? You can't even see what is going on!
So in an attempt to de-clutter my virtual space I have made goals. For example, I only pin non-hobby crafts if I actually plan to do them and then date them and have 6 months (at the moment that time frame could change) and if it doesn't get done, delete. On the flip side of that I am an active yarn crafter (knitting and crochet) and I sew so I have left those boards alone for now. Stuff with helpful information for others (or myself) stays at the moment as well. For example, my breastfeeding, cloth diapers and baby wearing boards all have information that can help others and promotes them so no deletes there.
How do you keep a handle on your virtual 'stuff'? Do you at all? Do you find things like Pinterest overwhelming or a helpful tool?
Kay xxx
Monday, November 3, 2014
Just Checking In
Halloween has passed us. We have a crazy excessive amount of candy in this house that I am hoping do shed by sending into my husbands work. We are down to a couple of weeks left before our big move.
Mostly this is just a "hey I am here" post. I have been doing some minimalist reading. I recently found this website on minimalist baking. I am SO excited. I have plans to buy the cook book they sell on the website and give it a try once we settle in our new location. We aren't doing full grocery shops anymore so it'd be silly to start now. I love cooking and baking for my family but I get into major ruts when I just am sick of trying to come up with what is for dinner. The idea of a book of simple, minimal recipes for a month really appeals to me.
Well, we'll keep it a short post today. I truly don't have a whole lot of new information/transformation on this end since all of our home goods have been boxed and shipped over a month ago, now. I am excited to get into my new home and open up the stuff I have been living without and see what I am ready to send off. The promise of the new space and new opportunities is really exciting. Hope you all are well.
Kay xxx
Mostly this is just a "hey I am here" post. I have been doing some minimalist reading. I recently found this website on minimalist baking. I am SO excited. I have plans to buy the cook book they sell on the website and give it a try once we settle in our new location. We aren't doing full grocery shops anymore so it'd be silly to start now. I love cooking and baking for my family but I get into major ruts when I just am sick of trying to come up with what is for dinner. The idea of a book of simple, minimal recipes for a month really appeals to me.
Well, we'll keep it a short post today. I truly don't have a whole lot of new information/transformation on this end since all of our home goods have been boxed and shipped over a month ago, now. I am excited to get into my new home and open up the stuff I have been living without and see what I am ready to send off. The promise of the new space and new opportunities is really exciting. Hope you all are well.
Kay xxx
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
21 Days
It has almost been three weeks into our very minimal living due to our very large move. We are all a bit itchy to leave in some ways, sad about it in others. My heart personally breaks as my girls, for the most part, really are little British kids. They know nothing of living in America. They never have, and so the idea of going back is a bit odd.
Now that we have lived almost a month with slim pickings regarding our stuff (the very last things that won't be taken in suitcase or left behind were taken yesterday) I have some reflections I just felt like capturing.
Mainly, I do miss my homey trappings. I miss my family pictures, and the few pieces of art work, but also realize that because of the size of our current house and wall space everything I had up might have been a little busy. It will be fun/interesting to try spreading out what I have in our new home in December. I also really miss my kitchen gadgetry. I went to bake a blackberry almond tart and found, rather annoyingly, I had no rolling pin and would have had to go fairly far to buy one. I ended up using a can of crescent rolls to roll the crust out, but I want my fully functioning kitchen back in the sense that I miss my blender, baking things, and food processor. I have enjoyed the fewer pieces of cutlery, less plates and less tea cups and glasses.
I am surprisingly really liking the limited about of living room furniture. The temp furniture is also smaller than our current set which I really like. It's slimmer and trimmer. So far it is really setting the tone, for me anyway, for what I would like to achieve in our home.
Surprisingly (and I hate to admit this) I don't really miss our books very much. I am a huge book lover and it is my soft spot for sure. I have all the books from my childhood for my girls and I love collecting books. My husband and I have always aspired to have a library in my own home. I like the idea of so much knowledge in my home. However, truthfully, I realize that other than my true favourites and what I am currently reading we could live without the books. Especially since we utilize the library so often anyway.
So far, I have a feeling I'll be cutting a lot more stuff once we get our goods on the other side of this journey. Hope everyone is well!
Kayxx
Now that we have lived almost a month with slim pickings regarding our stuff (the very last things that won't be taken in suitcase or left behind were taken yesterday) I have some reflections I just felt like capturing.
Mainly, I do miss my homey trappings. I miss my family pictures, and the few pieces of art work, but also realize that because of the size of our current house and wall space everything I had up might have been a little busy. It will be fun/interesting to try spreading out what I have in our new home in December. I also really miss my kitchen gadgetry. I went to bake a blackberry almond tart and found, rather annoyingly, I had no rolling pin and would have had to go fairly far to buy one. I ended up using a can of crescent rolls to roll the crust out, but I want my fully functioning kitchen back in the sense that I miss my blender, baking things, and food processor. I have enjoyed the fewer pieces of cutlery, less plates and less tea cups and glasses.
I am surprisingly really liking the limited about of living room furniture. The temp furniture is also smaller than our current set which I really like. It's slimmer and trimmer. So far it is really setting the tone, for me anyway, for what I would like to achieve in our home.
Surprisingly (and I hate to admit this) I don't really miss our books very much. I am a huge book lover and it is my soft spot for sure. I have all the books from my childhood for my girls and I love collecting books. My husband and I have always aspired to have a library in my own home. I like the idea of so much knowledge in my home. However, truthfully, I realize that other than my true favourites and what I am currently reading we could live without the books. Especially since we utilize the library so often anyway.
So far, I have a feeling I'll be cutting a lot more stuff once we get our goods on the other side of this journey. Hope everyone is well!
Kayxx
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