"The Joy of Less" - Page 2

ECingMama · 11-30-2015, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leslie

I hoarded fabric, paper, books, curios for my kids for the very reason you state. Now that my homeschooling days are coming to end, I feel like I'm returning to my "small living" roots. It's been really easy discarding most of the stuff I hung onto for them. What's hard is the memories -- deciding how many digital pictures to save. I don't want so many thousands of pictures that the thought of looking at them is an overwhelming burden, but it's really, really hard to part with even the mediocre snapshots.

I made a photo book with our year in review. I take a lot. It's 8 X 10 and 100 pages long. It's an inch thick.

I don't think it matters how many you keep if they are organized in some way. I use google picasa, so they can be tagged. Tagging is ah-may-zing for organization.

MrsHutch · 11-30-2015, 11:15 AM

I am sorta-ish-wanna-be on this road, too. I've sold quite a bit of stuff, donated several large rubbermaid totes of stuff already, and have 2 or 3 more that have been sitting in the garage for months.

But I've learned since my first big donation about how charities sell clothes to poor countries and it's destroying their economies, and I don't feel good about just dropping stuff off at Goodwill like I used to. Maybe I could donate the stuff but I'd like to try to find a way to donate the clothes directly to a person or clothes closet. And that's why I haven't done anything with the stuff for months.

After coming home from a few days at our parents' house, I'm feeling REALLY good about our own lack of clutter, but there is still so much I could get rid of.

I know most people get into spring cleaning, but in the spring I just want to be outside instead of cleaning. But something about the impending claustrophobia of winter makes me declutter like crazy every fall.

ECingMama · 11-30-2015, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrsHutch

I am sorta-ish-wanna-be on this road, too. I've sold quite a bit of stuff, donated several large rubbermaid totes of stuff already, and have 2 or 3 more that have been sitting in the garage for months.

But I've learned since my first big donation about how charities sell clothes to poor countries and it's destroying their economies, and I don't feel good about just dropping stuff off at Goodwill like I used to. Maybe I could donate the stuff but I'd like to try to find a way to donate the clothes directly to a person or clothes closet. And that's why I haven't done anything with the stuff for months.

After coming home from a few days at our parents' house, I'm feeling REALLY good about our own lack of clutter, but there is still so much I could get rid of.

I know most people get into spring cleaning, but in the spring I just want to be outside instead of cleaning. But something about the impending claustrophobia of winter makes me declutter like crazy every fall.

Oh, interesting. I prefer to do all my decluttering in the winter when there is nothing else to do!

Mother of Sons · 11-30-2015, 01:32 PM

I'm a fall cleaner too. After 6 months of snow I want to be outside, not inside cleaning. I also relate to what you said about donating to goodwill etc. I just got off the phone talking about the same thing. I want to fill a need not just get rid of stuff but it's hard to connect to people that really need things. Most people are just scammers who turn right around and resell.

houseforjoy · 11-30-2015, 01:54 PM

womens and homeless shelters are great places to donate clothes. also callin schools and saying i have a bag of this size clothes is there someone you could think of to get them to (u drop off at school and then school gives to kid/family

LikeQuietDreams · 11-30-2015, 04:10 PM

I strive to live a minimalist lifestyle. I love The Joy of Less.

mummy2boys · 12-02-2015, 03:59 AM

See......if I'm honest......the word "minimalist" has always conjured up ideas of cold, stark, empty spaces

But we need to do a clean out here over the Christmas holidays so maybe I should have a look into those books etc.

Anyone game enough to show me what their living rooms look like?

Aerynne · 12-02-2015, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mummy2boys

See......if I'm honest......the word "minimalist" has always conjured up ideas of cold, stark, empty spaces

But we need to do a clean out here over the Christmas holidays so maybe I should have a look into those books etc.

Anyone game enough to show me what their living rooms look like?

This is mine. We have since gotten rid of the desk (with the magazines and lamp on top), the ottoman, and the magazine holder. I could take a new picture but it is a mess right now from my decluttering.

2sunshines · 12-02-2015, 08:27 AM

I'll take a pic of my living room in a bit.

You should definitely read the book. She talks about keeping only the things you use and need AND things that bring you joy. So minimalism is not entirely about only having completely functional things. If a picture on the wall is one that you love, and brings you joy seeing it, then it deserves a place in your minimalist home.

For example, I have a bunch of indoor plants in my living room. Even though they are not directly "useful" they do bring me great joy (and clean my air, so definitely partly useful) so they will remain in my aspiring minimalist home.

Leslie · 12-02-2015, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mummy2boys

See......if I'm honest......the word "minimalist" has always conjured up ideas of cold, stark, empty spaces

And that sounds so . . . restful.

Aerynne · 12-02-2015, 12:31 PM

Oh, I want to add that my living room is much browner than I would like it to be, but I didn't do that on purpose. So it's not mandatory for minimalism.

ECingMama · 12-02-2015, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aerynne

Oh, I want to add that my living room is much browner than I would like it to be, but I didn't do that on purpose. So it's not mandatory for minimalism.

Do your kids play in this room or is it for adults only? (we had an adults only room growing up)

mummy2boys · 12-03-2015, 12:25 AM

Erin. Your living room does not look like my descriptions at all

MrsHutch · 12-04-2015, 07:31 AM

I'll try to get one of mine soon. I like my living room a lot, but it's in rearrange-the-furniture-to-put-up-the-tree chaos right now.

CelticJourney · 12-04-2015, 08:34 AM

We had an interesting opportunity this past year. Because of the flooding in our area, people lost many things - some vital, some not so vital. One thing my mother's church is doing is gathering Christmas decorations. It's something we take for granted and not vital by any measure, but still probably salt in the wounds of those whose lives have been turned upside down. This is also something I've been wanting very much to reduce at my house. This situation allowed me to donate nice, usable items to people who could use them without feeling like I was just adding to some thrift stores pile of 'stuff'.

11-30-2015, 11:15 AM	#17
MrsHutch Rose Garden An Enneagram 7 type 1/2 ENTP Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Malawi! Posts: 6,295	Re: "The Joy of Less" I am sorta-ish-wanna-be on this road, too. I've sold quite a bit of stuff, donated several large rubbermaid totes of stuff already, and have 2 or 3 more that have been sitting in the garage for months. But I've learned since my first big donation about how charities sell clothes to poor countries and it's destroying their economies, and I don't feel good about just dropping stuff off at Goodwill like I used to. Maybe I could donate the stuff but I'd like to try to find a way to donate the clothes directly to a person or clothes closet. And that's why I haven't done anything with the stuff for months. After coming home from a few days at our parents' house, I'm feeling REALLY good about our own lack of clutter, but there is still so much I could get rid of. I know most people get into spring cleaning, but in the spring I just want to be outside instead of cleaning. But something about the impending claustrophobia of winter makes me declutter like crazy every fall. __________________ Stacy here! Enjoying my Complementarian marriage to Mr. Hutch since May 20, 2006 Blessed Mama of Miss H (16), Mr Big J (15), Miss T (14), Mr Little J (11), & Mr A (7) Missing three I will meet in Heaven (Feb 2012), (Apr 2016) & (Jun 2020) "Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people don't shoot their husbands, they just don't." -Legally Blonde

11-30-2015, 01:32 PM	#19
Mother of Sons Rose Garden My kid shoots laser beams from his hands Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 21,900	Re: "The Joy of Less" I'm a fall cleaner too. After 6 months of snow I want to be outside, not inside cleaning. I also relate to what you said about donating to goodwill etc. I just got off the phone talking about the same thing. I want to fill a need not just get rid of stuff but it's hard to connect to people that really need things. Most people are just scammers who turn right around and resell.

11-30-2015, 01:54 PM	#20
houseforjoy Rose Garden trying to live like olaf "this is the best day of my life!... and quite possibly the last!" Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: in the sunshine with my own personal flurry Posts: 9,563	Re: "The Joy of Less" womens and homeless shelters are great places to donate clothes. also callin schools and saying i have a bag of this size clothes is there someone you could think of to get them to (u drop off at school and then school gives to kid/family __________________ Amanda, ENFJ Mommy to my bounty: ds 13 years, dd 12 years, dd 9 years , dd 6 and ds 4 Psalm 13 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?How long will you hide your face from me? 2 How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day?....because I am shaken. 5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. 6 I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.

11-30-2015, 04:10 PM	#21
LikeQuietDreams Rose Trellis fka Sweetbelly :) Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Tomball, Texas Posts: 1,502	Re: "The Joy of Less" I strive to live a minimalist lifestyle. I love The Joy of Less. __________________ Kammy- ~~ISFJ~~ ISFP / Type 4/1 Wifey to my always thinking, sarcastic, librarian, INFJ hubby. (10/2007) "So, I've been thinking..." Loving mama to my energetic, compassionate, and BIG feelings having ds "I" (01/2009) "You're going to be okay, little plant." and my easy-going though slightly demanding, tough bulldozer, ds "H". (09/2011) "Hey! Hey! HEEEY!" I'm blogging!

12-02-2015, 03:59 AM	#22
mummy2boys Moderator in We'd Love to Meet You, Let's Talk, High Need/Spirited Children, Joyous Homekeeping, and The Cookbook Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 16,028	Re: "The Joy of Less" See......if I'm honest......the word "minimalist" has always conjured up ideas of cold, stark, empty spaces But we need to do a clean out here over the Christmas holidays so maybe I should have a look into those books etc. Anyone game enough to show me what their living rooms look like? __________________ Alysia Married to the love of my life Mama to 2 wonderful boys Waiting to meet 3 in heaven 2/2005, 5/2007 & 8/2011 Striving, with God's help, to be a gentle mother each day

12-02-2015, 08:27 AM	#24
2sunshines Moderator in Celebrations, Cloth Diapering & EC, Empty Arms, Prayer & Praise, and Swap n' Shop Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 27,029	Re: "The Joy of Less" I'll take a pic of my living room in a bit. You should definitely read the book. She talks about keeping only the things you use and need AND things that bring you joy. So minimalism is not entirely about only having completely functional things. If a picture on the wall is one that you love, and brings you joy seeing it, then it deserves a place in your minimalist home. For example, I have a bunch of indoor plants in my living room. Even though they are not directly "useful" they do bring me great joy (and clean my air, so definitely partly useful) so they will remain in my aspiring minimalist home. __________________ married 25 years mom to two young adults (23 and 20) and two teens (17 and 15) Last edited by 2sunshines; 12-02-2015 at 12:03 PM.

12-02-2015, 12:31 PM	#26
Aerynne Rose Garden Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 27,361	Re: "The Joy of Less" Oh, I want to add that my living room is much browner than I would like it to be, but I didn't do that on purpose. So it's not mandatory for minimalism. __________________ Erin born of water and of the Spirit 4/96 married 5/02 Mama to: 2004 2007 2010 2012 2017 2019 Jan 2, 2024 And many I hope to hold in heaven one day

12-03-2015, 12:25 AM	#28
mummy2boys Moderator in We'd Love to Meet You, Let's Talk, High Need/Spirited Children, Joyous Homekeeping, and The Cookbook Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 16,028	Re: "The Joy of Less" Erin. Your living room does not look like my descriptions at all __________________ Alysia Married to the love of my life Mama to 2 wonderful boys Waiting to meet 3 in heaven 2/2005, 5/2007 & 8/2011 Striving, with God's help, to be a gentle mother each day

12-04-2015, 07:31 AM	#29
MrsHutch Rose Garden An Enneagram 7 type 1/2 ENTP Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Malawi! Posts: 6,295	Re: "The Joy of Less" I'll try to get one of mine soon. I like my living room a lot, but it's in rearrange-the-furniture-to-put-up-the-tree chaos right now. __________________ Stacy here! Enjoying my Complementarian marriage to Mr. Hutch since May 20, 2006 Blessed Mama of Miss H (16), Mr Big J (15), Miss T (14), Mr Little J (11), & Mr A (7) Missing three I will meet in Heaven (Feb 2012), (Apr 2016) & (Jun 2020) "Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people don't shoot their husbands, they just don't." -Legally Blonde

12-04-2015, 08:34 AM	#30
CelticJourney Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 34,572	Re: "The Joy of Less" We had an interesting opportunity this past year. Because of the flooding in our area, people lost many things - some vital, some not so vital. One thing my mother's church is doing is gathering Christmas decorations. It's something we take for granted and not vital by any measure, but still probably salt in the wounds of those whose lives have been turned upside down. This is also something I've been wanting very much to reduce at my house. This situation allowed me to donate nice, usable items to people who could use them without feeling like I was just adding to some thrift stores pile of 'stuff'. __________________ Elizabeth "Truth without love is divisive and hurtful & love without truth is anemic"--Pastor Estep Arise, cry out in the night...pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord; Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children..; Lamentations 2:19

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