Living Simply...in our Homes!

A peaceful, minimalist, beautiful, sanctuary can be yours!

Ahhhhhhhh! Exhale, inhale and breathe in tranquility, peace, and calm. You are Home! Your safe haven away from the craziness of the outside world. You shut the door on all of that outside stuff you can not control and enter into your abode. The place you have created to define you, soothe you, please you, and support you. We all want that tranquil feeling when we walk thru our door, but many of us walk back into chaos, clutter, dirt, and so much stuff we can hardly find our way around. So how do we Live Simply in our homes? It can feel complicated and overwhelming but it is not! It, like so much of Living Simply, is easy, basic, common sense....if you are willing to hear and apply it!

Step One: De-clutter: Determine the size of your space vs. the amount of your stuff. In other words, can everything you choose to own and keep and store actually fit in the space you occupy AND still feel Ahhhhhhhhh?? If yes, great, move on to Step Two! If no, you need to look honestly at your things and remove what does not fit.

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TIP: Remember our outer space (external) is a reflection of our inner feelings, the internal-external / yin-yang relationship exists, so understand all that "stuff" is symbolic and that is why letting go may feel uncomfortable or even impossible! But it is just stuff and whatever the emotional tie, now is the time to look at it and handle it so you can find inner and outer peace!

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I suggest taking everything out of a space, view the space open (now is a great time to clean behind and around everything!) and then decide how much of that stuff will actually fit back in the room and still feel open and peaceful. Maybe you can see only half will be able to fit which would mean as you put things away 50% must be donated, sold, or recycled! This is usually the step where people I have worked with as an organizer get stuck.....not seeing what your room (or life!) can truly support! You can not keep it all and de-clutter! So, be brave and move forward, and reclaim your space and your life!

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TIP: I usually have 3 separate boxes or bags marked "recycle", "donate" and "garbage" set up to make it easy. For first time cleaners, I do not recommend a garage sale or sale pile as it is just way to hang on to your stuff a little longer (and usually the items find their way back into the house)! I also remove everything that day! No piles in the hall or foyer or basement or garage. That is just "shit shuffling" and very ineffective. Get the stuff out right way! That way nothing comes back in, your home is immediately cleaner, and you can see, feel and enjoy the results of your hard work!

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Step Two: Design Minimally: Now that you have the proper amount of things in any given room or space, you have the fun of making it all your own style and designing it the way you love! There are so many different ways to express yourself in your space and make it your own, just have fun with it! The hard work is over!! You can view ideas online or in books or even in others homes or favorite stores or restaurants. I loved the bamboo in my favorite Sushi restaurant, so I added it to my Yoga room with bamboo wallpaper! Paint is a cheap, easy, fun way to change up your space and can usually be done in rented spaces too! There are so many colors to choose from and don't forget you can add stripes, stencils, multiple colors, accent walls or dots too! There are also wall stickers that add personality and take the guess work out of designing ... easily found at your local stores or online. Keep your space minimal and open. Don't loose that Ahhhhhh feeling by putting too much back in. I like to use the rule that you only need what you need! Don't feel you are required to "have" anything. It is your space so make it your own unique abode!

In my house now, I have an open eat-in with only a rug in it, a dining room turned Yoga room, and a sun room office! Take the your space, room by room. and think about what you need it to be and what feels calm and peaceful. Then have fun and don' be afraid to ask for ideas and advice! Remember, there isn't anything (mostly anything!) that can't be undone! I recently checkered my bathroom floor and the first green color was terrible.....so I went with my wild side and painted it over in antique gold! It is what I wanted and looks great! I didn't rip out the tile, so no waste and the paint is non-toxic-ish! Win-win!

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Tip: Buy used, paint over, hit the garage sales, accept hand-me-downs, dumpster dive if you are brave and go for quality! Quality over quantity!! We just cleaned out so we don't want to fill it back in with junk! Quality products will last longer, live up to life, take a painting or two, and not go into the landfill as quickly as cheap press-board garbage! Save up for quality! It is worth it!!

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Step Three: You! Make sure your house is reflective of who you are and what you love. If you have an ugly old pot from your great-grandmother, don't be afraid to display it! Make it you and enjoy! Your home should be comfortable and warm, peaceful and calm, easy for you to live in and enjoy! You should look around and smile! A home should please all your senses. So make sure you create a home that fits your needs, is functional for you and your family, is reflective of your personality, and creates the calm, safe haven you want. And enjoy!!

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Tip: If you need professional help, ask! There are many great designers, organizers and coaches to help! I am here too if you need some Living Simply home advice!

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