Minimalists

Were you always that way? I have way too much "stuff". I have a hard time deciding what to keep, how much is too much (i.e. toys), etc. I need some tips. Thanks

Re: Minimalists

I would like to be one - it's a goal.

I would say all the moving we have done helped us purge and now that our house is on the market - I don't want to buy anything for the house, so I hope that attitude sticks when we move to the next house!


we have kept things in our house to a minimum for showings and it's great. If it doesn't have a distinct purpose and spot - it goes in the garbage, goodwill or given away.

Re: Minimalists

I have always been one.

I shared a room with my two sisters. 3 girls, one closet.

I could not wait to move out and not see anything, not have anything around me.

my DH is not one, he is a shopaholic.

if he buys a shirt, he must be prepared to get rid of a shirt.

never buy more hangers. you are fine with what you have.

see if your library has Peter Walsh books...he gives me the words to use when I visit my mother.

My DH's issue is, if its on sale and a deal, it's okay.

Get it out of your head that its about the money, its not.

Its about opening drawers.

not havng to pick up as many toys.

what do your kids actually touch and play with?

People come to my home and wonder where the hell the toys are....I only have what he will play with.

donate donate donate. DH works in restaurants, he always has needy employees...its amazing how you can go through stuff get rid of it to help someone else.

I can have 50 pairs of jeans, I guarntee I will have a favorite pair that I live in. So I only have 3 pairs. Fave, and ones to wear when faves are dirty.

good luck!

Re: Minimalists

Thanks!!!

I started in Emma's room tonight. I was saving so much of her newborn stuff, for what though? Boxed it up to give to my sister who is TTC. Most of it came from her anyway! Even cards that weren't "special" I threw in the trash. I had various ticket stubs and just crap that I have no reason to keep. I tossed it.

Now onto Nicholas' room. He has sooo much. But I filled two bags with broken toys and games with missing pieces, and another bag of clothes to donate. I still have a lot to go through in there, but I'm happy I've started to get on board with this!!

I moved into this place from a tiny 2 bedroom apartment and it's amazing all the stuff I've accumulated in a year. It's actually a bit disgusting

Re: Minimalists

I am not a minimalist, but I don't keep or have lots of "stuff." I think a big reason is that a few years ago my grandparents moved out of their house that they lived in for 50 years. I spent almost every weekend for 2 months cleaning it out!!! I don't ever want to do that!!

Re: Minimalists

I wouldn't say I am one, but I'm trying to be one. We finally put all of our summer clothes out and put all the winter clothes away (all that work on the Family Room makes you forget about other things )

With each new project we tackle, we also tackle cleaning out unused things. I can't wait to get to our office room. I'm sitting in it right now and I'm disgusted. Way too much "STUFF" to keep. Once the Family Room is done, I hope to clean out the office room a lot more. I think it's time for a garage sale over the next couple of months. As for clothes, we are donating a lot of what we don't want or don't fit into anymore.

We WANT to get rid of more and over time we will. One room at a time. When you buy something new, get rid of or donate something old. I'm trying so hard to live by this!

Sounds like you got a lot done already. Congrats. I feels good doesn't it!

Re: Minimalists

I try to be , the best way is not to buy! we have a set of 4 towels we got from our shower, that's it, nothing else. 2 sets of sheets, DS has 2 sets of sheets, I have 2 pr of jeans, DH has 3. we really don't buy much. we do buy toys for DS but not as much as I see others buy. shoes, If I buy a pr, they are comfy and I will wear several times a week, I have 3 pr shoes and pr flip flops I wear all week and one pr sneakers for the gym. I really do wear the same clothes over and over, I have a closet full of stuff I bought several years ago, but I just wear my favorits, soon I will empyt out my closet

Re: Minimalists

I guess I am when it comes to the house. I'm definitely a "thrower-outer" and can thank my mom for that, she throws everything out (or donates it, gives it away... depending on what it is) so I learned from her! I like simple, clean and clutter-free for our house.

Now, my closet is a totally different story.

Re: Minimalists

i am trying to throw out or donate the stuff we dont need.....when we moved we did a good amount of donating so that was good but DHs family are pack rats and he has a really hard time letting go of things that we may need someday......
we are working on it so the new house stays clutter free

Re: Minimalists