As you might have noticed from the things I write about, I’ve been thinking a lot about the things we own and the things we fill our lives with in the past few months. How we spend our time and money and who we are serving with that in the long run. That’s one of the reasons why I started this blog actually, to find ways how to slow down and live life with more of a purpose.
Then, last weekend when I returned home from Paris, I just got really, really irritated by all the stuff lying around, the sheer amounts of paper, the overflowing cupboards, everything. So many things everywhere! That night, I decided that I definitely needed to declutter. In all aspects – meaning my wardrobe, my office, my beauty products, time management and money spending.
From reading other people’s blogs and also from talking to my friends I am pretty sure that I am not the only one who is struggling with that problem. So I decided to make it a little series on this blog. I want to share my progress and maybe as I’m learning also some tips. I want to find the thin line between pretty memories and useless clutter. I don’t want to buy new things unless I believe I would like to keep them for the rest of my life (meaning they should also have the quality to last the rest of my life).
As a first step, I started going through all of my drawer’s this week and just throwing all the junk away. So far it’s three full bags of paper and two bags of rubbish. And still, everything is brimming full. Maybe having a simple life is impossible (and I must admit, at other times I am also a big hoarder), but I will try my best.
What about you? How do you try to keep your lives simple? I would love to hear some tips and ideas!
Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.
William Morris
Hanna, I know exactly where you are coming from! I, too, have came home from vacations and felt like I had TOO much stuff. I “Spring Clean” a few times a year. I have this thing where I like to hold on to everything… so I need those days of deep cleaning to get rid of things. To de-clutter. Because I am my most productive self when I am in a clean and organized space.
So now, I am constantly throwing things away. I only buy things when I NEED them. It’s definitely a process… but I am so thankful that I don’t need much, you know. Minimalism is where I am the most happiest. ;)
I, personally, am excited for your new column!
Hanna’s Places is a green lifestyle magazine written by Hanna Ulatowski. It’s all about slowing down in a fast-paced society and finding ways to live a more sustainable, simple lifestyle.
June 8, 2013
I haven’t had much of a problem getting rid of things it’s actually been so refreshing! One thing I try to do is if I happen to buy a new piece of clothing(usually thrifted) I will get rid of a piece of clothing or sometimes more than one. It seems to help out with the laundry too ;) thanks for sharing this post. You have such a lovely blog!