I’ve always had an appreciation for beautiful things. Who doesn’t enjoy a touch of elegance? I was once the proud owner of a closet overflowing with handbags, alongside a mountain of clothes that I’d never actually wear. Many garments remained untouched for months, some still sporting their price tags. Whether it was because I had second thoughts about a purchase or simply because the color didn’t suit me, my collection grew unwieldy, with items that never saw the light of day.
My fondness for lovely items extended beyond clothing. I accumulated decorative throw pillows, stationery supplies, rugs—you name it. If it caught my eye and was within budget, it found its way home, regardless of necessity.
While having a collection isn’t inherently negative, it soon became overwhelming for me. Clutter triggers my anxiety—a messy space feels suffocating. When I lived alone, I could maintain order, but after marrying my husband, our combined belongings started to multiply. Then came the children, and oh boy, kids come with more things than you can imagine.
I found myself teetering between “Oh, I forgot we had this” and a full-blown episode of a hoarding show. My anxiety reached a tipping point, and I knew I had to act.
I began my decluttering mission in my closet. Anything I hadn’t worn in the past six months went straight into the donation pile. Gradually, I tackled each room, asking myself: Do I love this? Do I need this? Do I already own something similar? With each question, my donation pile grew.
When it was time to clean the kids’ rooms, I felt apprehensive. I decided to let them choose what to part with. My 5-year-old son, who had been observing my efforts, inquired about the donation pile. I explained that we would be giving our unused items to families in need at a local shelter, a cause I was familiar with due to my work.
His expression shifted as he absorbed this information. “So, they don’t have a home? Or toys?” he asked, his empathy shining through. Without hesitation, he grabbed a box and began sorting through his belongings. “They can have these, Mommy,” he said, as he handed me a nearly full box. That moment occurred over a year ago.
Today, our home is filled only with items that truly matter to us. The time, energy, and money that used to go towards acquiring and managing our possessions are now invested in family experiences. We prioritize going out together over organizing clutter.
We still acquire new things occasionally—it’s hard to resist when a Target beauty item catches my eye. My kids still get new toys like any other children, but we’ve learned to differentiate between needs and wants. If we introduce a new item into our lives, we often donate an old one to someone who will appreciate it.
As my partner wisely pointed out during our initial decluttering phase, “No one needs 16 throw pillows.” We are grateful for what we have, especially each other.
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In conclusion, embracing minimalism has not only simplified our lives but also significantly reduced my anxiety. Our home is now a sanctuary filled with love and meaningful items, allowing us to focus on what truly matters.
Keyphrase: Minimalism and Sanity
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