The Art of Saying No to Stuff

Learning to Live with Less

Hey all,

I hope you had an amazing holiday season. This week between Christmas and New Year is my favorite. It's usually a quiet week for our family which gives me the space (and brain power!) to catch up on paperwork, get a little cleaning done, hit the sales and run errands. Returns, returns, returns!

Letting go can be a challenging journey, but it's definitely worth it. Over the past few years, I've gotten better at buying less, and having to return less. However, I'm only HUMAN, and so are you. This blog is not supposed to be something to preach to others, but instead teach, empathize and connect. When you hold onto things that you don't need or use anymore, it can create clutter and make it harder to enjoy your space. So, I've got a few tips that have helped me when I began decluttering in the beginning.

FIRST - START SMALL. Pick one area or room to focus on at a time. It can be overwhelming to tackle everything at once, so take it step by step. Sort your belongings into three categories: keep, donate, and toss. Be honest with yourself about what you really need and what you can let go of. For me, closets are the easiest. I said goodbye to overflowing closets and I spend less time putting away laundry. Have you heard this statistic before ? 20 percent of what's in your wardrobe is worn 80 percent of the time. How often do you wear those dressy outfits? Do you hate spending time matching or looking for missing sock? When you start living with less, you'll realize how many clothes you actually need and have more space for new items.

NEXT, think about the purpose and usefulness of each item. Ask yourself if it brings you joy or if it serves a practical purpose in your life. If not, it might be time to part ways with it. Remember, you're not just getting rid of things, you're creating space for new experiences, items or a clutter-free environment. For instance, let's talk about downsizing your kitchen gadgets. Say adios to that avocado slicer, popcorn maker, and the infamous single-use kitchen gadgets that seemed like a good idea at the time. Now you'll have to get creative with your cooking skills. Want mashed potatoes? Grab a fork and start mashing! Ok, I'll admit, that might be drastic! However, if that's too much of a stretch, keep your potato masher or use your mixer. If you need to peel an avocado, use a knife. There are some great you tube videos on peeling an avocado simply with a knife. Living with less in the kitchen will not only simplify your life, but it'll also make you appreciate the versatility of a few basic tools.

LASTLY - Be kind to yourself throughout the process. Letting go of possessions can bring up emotions and memories, so give yourself permission to feel them. As you start to let go of unnecessary things, you'll discover hidden treasures from your past. Remember that funky hat you bought on a whim? Well, now it's your go-to accessory for virtual meetings. And that random collection of shot glasses? Turns out they make for excellent mini vases for your tiny plant collection. Living with less means finding new uses for old items and embracing the unexpected surprises that come along the way. Feel free to celebrate your progress along the way and reward yourself for your efforts. It's a long journey. So, I always tell my clients and friends to keep the things that matter to you, even if they aren't useful to others. And remember, you're not alone in this journey. Everyone can get sucked into a great sale or discount, but decluttering first will give you the best advantage of reaching your goals of learning to live with less. Reach out to friends, family, or even me for support and guidance.

I hope these tips help you on your decluttering journey. Remember, a clutter-free home can lead to a happier and more peaceful life. You got this!

Organized Angie-