Slow Your Home

‘Z’ is for Zero: A-Z of Simple Living

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Brooke • 5 Comments

Zero. We equate it with nought, nothing, emptiness.

But in the final installment of the A-Z of Simple Living series (we made it!) zero has two other, far more positive implications.

First, Zero Impact

First, we want to leave zero impact on those who come after us (or as close as possible to it). We want to minimise the burden for our kids, our grandkids and their grandkids. Simplicity is many things to many people. But one of the common factors in simplifying is our desire to not leave the earth worse than we found it.

Yes, that definitely includes environmental impact, but it doesn't stop there.

We can ensure, through creating a simpler life, that our zero impact stretches out to include:

Debt – we do not want to keep spending more than we earn – both as individuals and countries. It's not sustainable and it's not fair to expect those who come after us to pay for our lack of foresight.
Stuff – our legacy reaches far beyond the values and memories we leave behind. It includes the house full of stuff, the storage unit, the clutter, the crap, the heirlooms and the keepsakes. Do we want our legacy to include our loved ones sifting through our belongings for weeks after we're gone?
Self-worth – if we spend our days disengaged from family and friends, what does that say to them? It tells them they aren't as important as our smartphone/email/Twitter/more important people. If we really engage – or, at the risk of sounding cliched, be present – in our interactions with people, we will leave them feeling important. That they matter.
And, yes, the environment. Excess consumption, mindless buying, keeping up with the Joneses and buying food that has travelled thousands of kilometres to get to your kitchen – these all add up to impact greatly on our environment. Some view simplifying as having the world at their fingertips, but I disagree.

These four areas of life sum up so much of what simple living is about. Living sustainably, living simply, living mindfully and living responsibly.

Add to that an understanding of the specific things that really matter to you, and you have a decent set of guidelines to help lead you through the process of simplifying your life.

Second, Zero In on What Matters

Creating a life of simplicity is complicated. This we know.

But what we need to do, to avoid feeling overwhelmed by the task of simplifying life, is to zero in on what's important.

Find your why, and keep it at the forefront of your mind as you work through life. Remember, simplifying is a step-by-step process. But if you know what is important from the beginning, then you can make your choices based on those priorities.

Ask yourself to list the following things in order of importance:

friends
partner/spouse
family
spirituality
health
work
leisure

Add to the list any other priorities you may have, and use these – along with the idea of zero impact – to guide you through the process of simplifying.

There's almost as much head-work involved as physical work, but as someone who is finally starting to reap the benefits of a simpler life, I can tell you it is absolutely worthwhile.

It's one of the biggest and best changes I've ever made!

***************

Well, that's it. They said it could never be done, yet I've done it… That's the final instalment of the A-Z of Simple Living.

The series has been quite an interesting mix of theoretical and practical advice for living a life of simplicity (or at least attempting to!) and I hope you got as much from it as I did.

I'm planning on expanding the essays and pulling them together into an ebook, sort of like The Beginner's Guide to Simplifying Life. (Release Date – end-July)

Do you have any suggestions for additional ideas I could include? Have there been any glaring omissions from the original A-Z of Simple Living Series?

As always, I love hearing your thoughts – you're much smarter than I am!

Filed Under: Simple

34 Proven Ways to Keep Your Home Clutter-Free

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Brooke • 11 Comments

The Clutter Creep… Have you heard of it?

No, it’s not a new hit from the guy that sings Gangnam Style, and it’s not an internet meme.

Chances are you know this creep intimately, even if you’re unaware of it.

Tell me if this is familiar:

One day your kitchen bench is clutter-free and a calming beacon of white space. The next, there are three separate piles of papers, homework, catalogues, bills, handbags, mobile devices, random hairclips and Lego blocks scattered across the surface. You don’t understand where it’s come from, but there it is. Sitting in the middle of your kitchen like it’s always been. Taunting you and your futile efforts at simplicity.

That is the work of the Clutter Creep.

It slowly leeches in to your clutter-free spaces, frustrating you and making you feel like this idea of a tidy, uncluttered space is a hopeless prospect.

If you’ve been reading here for any length of time you’ve probably seen a post or two on how to declutter. (If not, or if you’re still looking for help in how to begin, try this A-Z post, this one that asks three questions for decluttering sentimental items and this post on the five steps of simplifying.)

But it’s this hamster wheel of clutter that I want to deal with today. How do we stay on top of the recurring clutter once we’ve finally got it under control? How do we eliminate the Clutter Creep?

Last week I turned to my fabulous readers (yes, you!) to see if you had any wisdom to share.

Specifically I asked this question via Twitter and Facebook:

Can you share with me one way you stop clutter accumulating in your home?

And, as always, you blew me away with your generosity.

Just a Note: Some of the following tips are very small, some are quite grand, but all have the potential to make a difference to your home and your life. And yes, some are similar, but even a slightly different perspective can be the key to unlocking a stubborn problem.

34 Proven Ways to Create a Clutter-Free Home – And Keep it that Way!

No recreational shopping. Stay out of stores unless I really need something. (Jennifer S)
I reset to zero every night before going to bed. That is, I put everything back where it’s supposed to be. For my husband’s things, I put them on his laptop (my way of asking him to deal with them). When I wake up, I can tackle today because all of yesterday’s stuff is gone! (Alondra C)
I watch Hoarders for 30 seconds… (Beth W.B)
Declutter toys before birthdays and holidays. (Leslie L)
Keeping things because I have an emotional attachment to the memory is a big problem. I’m slowly starting to take photographs of some of these things and it’s much easier to then throw or donate the actual item. (Glenne L)
Take care of the mail as soon as you bring it in – recycle all that needs to be recycled, open what needs to be opened and recycle the envelopes, file things right away. (Laura L)
Make sure everything has a place: shelf, bin, rack, etc…I’m very into organizers for keeping items tidy. (Alysha E)
I purchased a basket for mail. Nothing gets past the front door without being processed before it makes it’s way throughout the house. (Barry H)
Move out of your home and live in a camper trailer. (Beacon Seekin’)
Walk from the mail box to the recycle/garbage. Nothing comes in unless it had to, and catalogs never have to. (Rosie S)
Buy less. Try for a month and see the difference. (Leslie SN)
Don’t buy or subscribe to magazines or newspapers. You can read all the news and recipes and fashions and crafts and DIY and travel journals etc.,etc., online! (Charles V)
I stopped impulse buying. I only buy what I need. I research and question the need. Can I live without it? How will it benefit me? Do I have a place for it? (Laura W)
Reducing our filing by scanning and saving copies of warranty documents, important receipts, letters etc. One back up hard drive or flash drive takes up far less space than piles of paper! (Glenne L)
Monthly 21-item purges. (It’s an idea I found on YouTube.) You scour your room/house/whatever space you want and purge 21 unwanted items out of there in one go. To recycle, donate, pass on to family, recycle, bin. It doesn’t matter. (Laura W)
Don’t bring it in to the house in the first place. (Kerin J)
Kitchen bench must remain clear. I’ve even taken my fruit bowl away. Found things like that were a magnet for clutter. It starts with a button, then a tube of cream, some bobbie pins, the mail… Before you know it there is more stuff than fruit! The goal is to see the bench clutter-free all day. Things get put away immediately. (Rebecca M)
Say no to things if you know it won’t be used. (Leslie L)
Stop buying it in the first place, lol! (Kristin – Mamacino)
Go on a no-spend challenge for 6 months, and don’t buy anything except materials for gifts, and consumables. Experiences are allowed, such as lunch out and time with friends. (Linda S)
Put things away. You quickly see whether you have room or not and if you don’t, something has to go. But the #1 is not to bring it in to start with. (Patty – Homemakers Daily)
For paper clutter, I just put a paper shredder at the front door. Shred all the junk mail, put the bills in a bill folder. Go through magazines and catalogs immediately. If I find things I like, I go find it online and Pin it on Pinterest. I wrote about how to hide the shredder so it’s not ugly here. (Christina - Little Victorian Blog)
I make sure I clean out the fridge and pantry on bin day and shopping day. I find the fridge stays fresh, putting groceries away is less of a chore and we waste less and reduce the tendency to “over shop”. (Glenne L)
Get rid of multiples and replacing them with one or two high quality pieces. (Christina - Little Victorian Blog)
Do one extra organising job each day on top of normal cleaning. For example clean out a drawer or cupboard that’s gotten cluttered – that way it doesn’t get so out of control that it seems like a mountain. (Melanie M)
I have a ‘to donate’ box sitting at the front door – making passing on things I no longer need very easy. I drop the box off at a local op-shop once its full. (Tricia – Little Eco Footprints)
We withdraw a certain amount of cash every week to live on and stash any leftover to save up for things we really want. That needing to save for things has cut our impulse purchasing right down. (Melinda B)
Ask yourself one simple question when choosing whether to keep something: “If I lost it by mistake, would I really care – or even be glad?” (Cassie T)
We’re very particular about what we bring in. And we try to pick up before going to bed. (Rita R – This Sorta Old Life)
Put things away, keep on top of paperwork, bin what is finished with, don’t keep magazines, keep a charity bag on the go. (Lisa A)
If something comes in, then something goes out. We try to have a place for everything. (Clare)

On top of these, I’d also add three of my own tips for keeping your home clutter-free:

32. Perform regular clutterbusts.

Whenever you feel the clutter creep taking over (a telltale sign is feeling frustrated or stressed when you look around your home) it’s time to tackle the issue before it takes hold. Take an empty laundry basket and work through your home room-by-room, picking up everything that is out of place. Work as fast as you can, and fill the basket multiple times if needed. Empty the contents onto your dining table or floor and sort through it. Toss the rubbish, bag up any donations and put the remainder back in its place.

33. Do things properly.

When we scrimp on the details – fail to put away the toaster, forget to pack up the craft supplies, leave folded laundry on the bed – we are creating opportunity for more clutter. This is something I am guilty of, and can hear Sparky nodding in agreement. But it really is a key way to keep clutter at bay. A clear surface motivates you to keep it that way, whereas a cluttered surface invites more clutter.

34. Understand the limitations of your current situation.

While not technically a decluttering tip, it is one worth hearing. Unless you want to live in a constant state of stress and anxiety, it’s important to accept the fact that some things cannot be changed. If you have young kids, there will be toys. If you have school-age kids, there will be papers, and bags, and homework. These limitations are part of life. Rather than battling them every day, do what you can to minimise the problem, keep it from getting out of hand and then let it go.

Do you have a favourite tip for keeping your home clutter-free? I’d love to hear it in the comments below.

Filed Under: House, Simple

May is the Month of the Kitchen and Dining Rooms

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Brooke • 2 Comments

{ via apartment therapy }

Pardon the slight tardiness, as our home doth runneth over with change-of-season illness and I’ve been runneth over by the needs of a sick family.

Despite this, the beginning of May marks a new set of tasks in the 2013 in 2013 Declutter Challenge. And this month we are tackling the heart of the home – the kitchen and dining room.

To jump straight into the challenge, you can download the May checklist here. Or keep reading to find the full list, as well as added tips and suggestions below.

(If you haven’t started the challenge yet, it’s never too late to join. Click here to find the first five checklists, as well as the Slow Your Home forums, where many of us are keeping track of the clutter leaving our homes.)

My Progress…

April was quite interesting here.

I tackled the wardrobes, as per the monthly checklist, and donated a lot. But this is the second year of the challenge for me, and there really wasn’t a lot to work through.

I did finally find the courage to work through the very last of my old business stock though, an exercise that has been three years coming. It was a huge relief to realise I no longer wanted or needed to hold on to this stuff. And while I no longer wanted or needed it, I was loathe to simply throw it away. So I decided to try and sell some of it on eBay and I have to say, it was really satisfying. Not to mention good for the bank account!

We ended up listing a lot of other stuff online, and have so far seen much of it go. It is certainly no joy to spend hours listing unused belongings online, but it’s been a great experiment. (Expect a post on the pros and cons of selling your old stuff online quite soon!)

This month I…

Donated:

kids clothes x 17
my clothes x 13
Sparky’s clothes x 45
toys x 4
baby gear x 2
baby linens x 7

Gave Away (to friends and family):

kids clothes x 8

Sold:

my clothes x 2
Sparky’s clothes x 1
snowgear x 4
stirling silver findings in bulk x 300+
branded jewellery boxes in bulk x 50+
jewellery in bulk x 65+

TOTAL: 518 items

Progress to Date: 1010 unwanted items are gone!

(Over halfway there – and it’s still feeling good.)

Now, May is the Month of…

Entertaining, where we tackle the heart and soul of the home – the kitchen and dining area.

Think about everything that happens in this part of the house, and it’s really little wonder they wind up full of clutter. Mail, paperwork, handbags, schoolbags, junk drawers, mobile devices, car keys, homework, cooking, eating, entertaining, relaxing – these two areas have so much going on.

The amount of time you need to set aside for this month’s challenge depends on:

the size of your home
how much clutter and stuff you own
whether you have a separate formal dining room (many homes no longer do) and a more casual meals area, or if you eat in the kitchen
how much entertaining you do
the size of your family or the groups you entertain
whether you and your friends/family drink lots of wine/cocktails
whether you’re a keen chef, or a much simpler cook
the size of your kitchen and pantry
the amount of storage you use for kitchenware etc

As an estimate, I would suggest you give yourself three hours to declutter the kitchen (easily broken down into smaller tasks) and another 2-3 hours for the dining room and any related storage.

For example, you could break the kitchen tasks into the following:

cutlery and utensils drawers – 15 minutes
fridge – 15 minutes
pantry – 30 minutes
top of the wall cabinets – 15 minutes
wall cupboards – 30 minutes
low cupboards – 30 minutes
remaining drawers – 45 minutes

To keep you on track, I suggest you follow the decluttering guidelines from Month #1 (find them here). Use them to work through each area one-by-one.

The May Declutter Checklist

Click here for a printable version of the checklist.

Kitchen:

Top of cabinets – clear of all clutter
Wall cupboards
- Glassware
- Crockery
- Baking tins
Pantry
- Staples
- Tinned goods
- Dry goods

Fridge/Freezer
- Inside
- Outside

Low cabinets
- Pots and pans
- Large appliances (rice cooker etc)
- Cleaning equipment

Benchtops
- Appliances (coffee machine, kettle)
- Clutter spots (papers, devices)

Drawers
- Cutlery
- Utensils
- Junk drawer
- Plastics/Tupperware

Dining Room:

Furniture
- Chairs (correct number for the table/room)
- Other furniture (storage, shelves etc)
Decor
Linen

Storage:

(Any extra storage space for kitchen/entertaining needs, such as a buffet or sideboard)

Serving platters
Serving bowls
Wine glasses
Cocktail glasses, shakers, etc

Again, the May Checklist can be found here.

If you’re working through the checklists and want some added accountability or inspiration, you can keep count of the items you recycle, donate, sell or throw away and share your progress with us in the 2013 Declutter Challenge forums.

I’d love to hear how you’re finding the challenge. I know of at least one reader who has already surpassed the 2013 goal – which is fantastic! Leave a comment with your tally, or let me know what you’re finding difficult to work through.

Filed Under: Simple

‘Y’ is for Yes: A-Z of Simple Living

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Brooke • 4 Comments

{ via Three Lives Left on Society6 }

Embracing simple living feels like saying no – a lot.

“No, I won’t buy that dress.”

“No, I don’t need another throw pillow.”

“No, I won’t overcommit my time.”

And quite often, we do need to say no.

But this idea of simple living isn’t about withholding pleasures, going without joy or embracing a life of scarcity. It’s about setting yourself free.

Specifically, setting yourself free to say yes more often, yes to the things that are important, yes to actually living life.

We can be free to say yes to:

space – both mental and physical
your kids when they ask you to play
enjoying a cup of coffee with your partner – even if there is still work to be done
peace and quiet – sitting in the stillness is OK
spontaneous adventures and travel
getting up earlier
engaging more with the people around you
finding your passions

Some of you are probably saying, “But I don’t want to get up early or travel.” Or, “I already know what my passion is.”

That is wonderful!

The difference is that these things we can say yes to are choices. We’re making room in our lives – by simplifying – to say yes when we want to.

What do you want to say yes to?

The A-Z of Simple Living is a weekly series to inspire and motivate – regardless of how far into the simple living journey you are. You can find all posts in the series right here.

Filed Under: Happiness, Simple

10 Life-Affirming Reasons to Embrace Simplicity

Posted on April 28, 2013 by Brooke • 16 Comments

Three years ago I suffered a breakdown.

I was done. I had nothing left to give. I drove to my parents’ house completely exhausted, my young daughter in the back, my pregnant belly pushing against the steering wheel, tears streaming down my face.

How did I get here? I tried to be everything to everyone. A loving stay at home mum, a supportive wife, a successful business-owner.

But instead of being accomplished, successful, important, what did I get?

Exhaustion. Guilt. Emptiness. Feelings of failure, sadness and overwhelm. I couldn’t sleep and constantly suffered headaches. I was doing nothing well.

The Turning Point

I’d like to tell you the moment I pulled into my parents’ driveway proved the turning point. Unfortunately, life had other plans. The closure of my business was swiftly followed by the birth of our baby boy. His arrival was even more swiftly followed by depression, anxiety and frighteningly dark thoughts.

Somehow, out of the darkness I was able to whisper to my husband the hardest words I’ve ever uttered, “Help me.”

The first weeks and months of treatment were incredibly difficult. I wasn’t crazy, I didn’t want to be prescribed anti-depressants, I certainly didn’t want to sit in a room with a stranger for two hours a week discussing my feelings. I just wanted to feel normal again. Actually, I just wanted to feel again.

The real turning point wasn’t uncovered in my psychiatrist’s office. It wasn’t even talking with my husband. It was online and completely by accident. The digital rabbithole lead me to Zen Habits and there I discovered the simple living movement.

Living with less stuff, less debt, less clutter meant living with more freedom, more time, more joy. I was certain this was the change I needed to make in my life.

Up to this point my life had been about more. Being more successful, more efficient, more adept, more available, more, more, more… This attitude of more brought overwhelm, exhaustion and constant feelings of failure. I had become a victim of a modern-day epidemic – more at all costs.

What I needed now was less, of that I was certain.

Slow, Intentional Change

The last three years have seen me mindfully, slowly and sometimes painfully creating a life of simplicity. I am happier, healthier, more joyful, more relaxed, more prone to laughter and dancing, more engaged with my kids, more in touch with my emotions, more loving towards my husband, more interested and more interesting.

In short, I had my life affirmed by embracing simplicity.

Now I want to share 10 reasons why you stand to gain more from living a life of less.

10 Life-Affirming Reasons to Embrace Simplicity

Acceptance:

As you simplify your life, you get closer to the core – the essence – of who you are. You can see in greater detail the faults, the flaws, the strengths and the beauty of your authentic self. It’s no longer hidden beneath layers of junk, clutter and distraction. Don’t get me wrong – this can be scary – we hide behind these things for a reason. But the more you simplify, the easier these layers can be peeled back.

Clarity:

You begin to see who and what is really important. You know what you want, what you need – and you have the time and space to explore those things further.

Clutter-Free:

In a physical sense your home, your bedroom, your studio become a haven from the busyness of life. A place where you can unplug and relax, surrounded by a limited number of things that are beautiful and useful.

Gratitude:

Recent studies show that practicing gratitude daily helps improve health and well-being. Embracing simplicity strips away the inessentials so you can see just how much of what surrounds you is worthy of your gratitude.

Health:

Almost universally, those who pursue a simpler life will become physically healthier. You become more mindful of what you eat, how much you eat, how you move your body and how you care for yourself. The awareness and simplification of your surroundings bring awareness and simplification of your body. Less junk, less inactivity, more whole food, more vitality, more movement, more health.

Presence:

You will no longer float through the days caught in your past or your future. The present will be your reality and you will be capable of living there, soaking it in, learning and participating. You will be present playing with your kids, loving your partner, talking with you friends, the work you do.

Relationships:

When you’re no longer weighed down with past, future, stuff, shoulds, worries and guilt, you have the time, energy and space to devote to relationships. They will bloom under the extra love.

Sex:

See above. It gets better the simpler life is.

Generosity:

As you realise you need less than you have, you have more to give. Initially your stuff, then your time and your money. You have so many resources that can help others. And embracing simplicity means you can give widely.

Joy:

There is so much more joy to be had when living a simpler life. The important things bring joy – the improved relationships and connections – the little things – a beautiful sunset, a child’s giggle, a bird in flight, the warmth of a room full of friends. You will have the time and energy to feel these.

This life is yours for the taking. Embrace it by embracing a life of simplicity. And while how to do that is another post for another day, I can give you one tip right now:

Start now and start small.

It’s simply a matter of small actions and time.

If you’re visiting Slow Your Home for the first time after seeing my profile in the Sunday Telegraph, then welcome! You might want to check out the Best of Slow Your Home, a list of the most-read posts over the past 18 months, or sign up to join the Slow Home BootCamp right here.

{ Base image via swamibu on Flickr. Creative Commons. Graphics by me. }

Filed Under: Simple