I'm really tired of stuff... For the last two weeks I've been packing up totes, to have a garage sale and the rest is going to goodwill. Our goal is to build in a few years and I really want to build a small house, so my family will have to spend more time outside! I think a minimalist lifestyle would really give us a less stressful life.
tips for living minimally? (with children)
I've been on pinterest lately getting some ideas.
persimmon / 1150 posts
@.twist.: its hard not to collect stuff! Grandmas are always sending LO small ridiculous toys and DH is a collector... I feel pretty guilty getting rid of things people have gifted us as well, so therefore it builds up!
coconut / 8234 posts
@polkadots: I want to! I just posted about decluttering. It's my goal for 2014 to go minimal but I have no suggestions since I'm just learning about how to start myself.
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
Kind of, but I would classify it more as a campaign to use what we have before we buy more at the moment.
eggplant / 11408 posts
We're working on it! I would say that I like to have around the things that I need, but I don't like all the excess stuff. Regular de-cluttering is key, I think, as is buying things that will be multi-functional, even if they might be a bit more expensive. That way, you don't have to have 3 things around that can do the job of one!
pineapple / 12802 posts
@polkadots: Our boys get dollar store junk in their stockings at xmas and they tend to love that stuff better than their actual gifts, which makes me crazy because, well, it's JUNK! haha don't they realize? I just want to throw it all away!
blogger / watermelon / 14218 posts
I definitely definitely want to start moving towards this!! It helps now that we're done with kids, so we can sell/giveaway/donate toys and clothes as SOON as they've outgrown them, so it's an ongoing process. But the latest thing I've decided to do is make a wardrobe inventory for Wagon Sr. and myself, pick and choose what we want to keep to satisfy that inventory (i.e. TWO pairs of pajama pants instead of SEVEN, five of which I never wear) and donate the rest!
pomegranate / 3388 posts
When you build, make sure to hire an architect who understands the minimalist lifestyle. We have an architect friend who just build a fabulous yet tiny house in Maine. Everything is really functional, and the space is used exceptionally well. It's great to see how it is possible to live in a smaller footprint with less waste and fewer expenses. Most houses just aren't built for that though.
admin / watermelon / 14210 posts
i wrote a post on it here:
http://www.hellobee.com/2014/01/21/decluttering-our-lives-what-we-got-rid-of/
And I'm still getting rid of stuff pretty much daily. It is an ongoing, never-ending process. In fact I sold a mirror, my Converse that were too tight, and Olive's crib today!
The key for me has been to do it in stages. If you're on the fence about getting rid of something, live with a little bit and you'll realize you probably don't need it. Makes it much easier to let go of things.
Also photograph things instead of saving them.
As far as minimal living with kids, we go to the library a lot more, we got rid of most toys as they don't need as many as they get older.. just arts and crafts. They have way less clothes (although that's the hardest one for me because it's my vice).
It can be overwhelming so just take it one day at a time. It doesn't have to be all at once. And once you begin to see how much simpler life is with less, you won't want to go back. For instance the we all have less clothes, but it's easier than ever to get dressed because only the things I like remain so I don't mind wearing them over and over again.
We've gotten rid of at least 50% of our possessions at this point, and I would say we have at least another 10% to go. Good luck stay strong and let's do this together!!!
papaya / 10560 posts
We're much more minimalist than our friends. We don't have much stuff. We have a 2 bed/2 bath house for the 4 of us. I throw a lot of junk away or stuff we get that doesn't have a place gets donated or tossed. We got our son one present at Christmas. I also don't decorate for holidays...all my friends do and storing the decorations takes up a ton of space.
bananas / 9357 posts
I want to! I tried a few years back. After we got married, we did a huge purge and even got rid of a ton of wedding gifts we didn't need. We had a big yard sale. Sigh. Unfortunately I've accumulated a lot more stuff since then. Especially since having a kid. I've realized it has to be an on going process. We have another LO on the way and I'm determined to get rid of all the clutter. We have a spare room that I've been throwing stuff in to have another yard sale soon.
I try to go through everything slowly. Like just one cabinet or closet at a time. I really think about when the last time I used something was and how often I use it. It's tough! Especially when something is sentimental or you think you *may* need it one day.
pomegranate / 3003 posts
It's definitely a goal of mine. I'm completely infatuated with micro homes, refurbished trailers, and shipping container living spaces. While I'm not sure I could ever scale down that significantly, families that do it happily really inspire me. Like you, @polkadots: when looking at future homes, I value outdoor space and land (for play, entertaining, and gardening) over bedrooms and indoor square footage.
I've long been tired of spending, simply to accumulate. We try to be mindful of what we buy, and save, and considerate of what we can donate or repurpose. I try to keep my daughter's toys, at a minimum. At nearly eight months, I don't believe she needs too much. She has an activity table, and a few smaller play items, and that's it. We take daily trips to parks, libraries, museums, and the local baby gymboree, so I know I am keeping her stimulated. We borrow books from the library, and only buy those she really seems to favor.
I try to do regular purges in my closet, but that can always use some work. We're relocating soon, and I hope to scale down considerably, as we pack our belongings and realize what we truly don't utilize enough to warrant saving.
GOLD / wonderful olive / 19030 posts
I think I'm in between, I like to have nice things, but I hate clutter. And am workign on decluttering, but still like decorations and clothes, ect.
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