When it comes to spring time, there’s a bit of hope in the air as new beginnings, fresh air, and sunny days fill our window panes and bring warmth to our soul. On a practical side, it often times means sorting through the old and tired things, the things that are a few sizes too small and removing the excess for a fresh start.
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Last year, after watching the movie Minimalism: The Documentary, I’ve made it a simple goal to decrease and remove the things from life that no longer are apart of my days. It’s come slowly and with increments. Rather than doing a purge all at once, I ‘ve taken it a bit at a time, going through each space methodically. While I will probably never go to the extreme that the main figures in the movie do, I can now appreciate the value of less and living with the long-term in mind. You’ll still find me as the girl with lots of shoes, but look inside the closet and you’ll find smart basics and pieces I wear year round.
As a blogger, you live in the tension of presenting and staying true to a beautiful lifestyle you lead. In all honesty, after two years, my prop closet (That’s correct there’s a whole closet dedicated to props, backer boards, and shooting gear.) had gotten out of control. For the sake of variety and changes of imagery, the closet has been bursting from the seems. This is the next area I’m hoping to get under control.
Are you looking for a place to start? Here’s where I would begin:
The closet:
In a day of excess and fast fashion, go to your closet and being clearing things out. Ask yourself if you’ve worn the item in the past year. If not, it’s time to say goodbye. Fashion comes and goes. If a year has gone by without a look being worn, it’s time to get rid of it. As you purge items from your closet and begin thoughtfully adding items, look for basic pieces with classic styling. Whether it’s a blazer in a neutral or a stunning trench, look at your existing pieces and think of how many different ways you can wear the items.
The office:
Offices can become a dumping ground for clutter. Love the flatlays you see on Instagram of inspiring workspaces? Find systems that work for you and begin to bring organization to your space by removing the paper trail. I love using Shoebox app to catalogue receipts for expenses. (It’s a lifesaver and can be done somewhat automatically.) Once bills are paid, they get filed away in a simple expand a file. I use a window above my desk as a white board and landing spot for shot sheets and moodboards. (I always save shot sheets and mood boards to Evernote as well, removing the need for duplicate copies as I can access them from my phone.) Using a combination of apps and paper allow me to flourish and be the most efficient possible.
The Kitchen:
Sort through your pantry and refrigerator for older items. If you’ve had condiments and dried spices for over a year, it’s time for them to go. Go through the pantry and take an objective look at what you’ve accumulated. Are there items you need to eat down or are they items that need donating? Are there ways you can reinvent and use your existing ingredients?
Find extra motivation and a bit of cash:
Sometimes when it comes to letting things go, we’re a bit more motivated when extra cash comes in. Head to craigslist or Facebook groups to sell those extra items. For clothing, host a closet sale with a friend to get rid of items and get a higher resale value than consignment shops.
Do more with less.
More than a trend or living in a sparse space, I’ve found that minimalism is focused on doing more in life while having less. It means focusing on investing in experiences rather than things. It means working from the road and the open air. Meeting the needs of clients and developing content from distant lands. It means affording a stunning cup of coffee pouring over your screen. Because life isn’t about the stuff that fills our days, but rather about the connection we find with others, the moments of humanity and joy that bring fulfillment and depth of meaning.
What are some of the ways that you have embraced minimalism? Do you think it’s a trend or a lifestyle?
We’d love to hear from you. Let us know in the comments below!