Decluttering and Minimalism

[Jersey Girl]

I shared with a board friend this topic and said I'd post about it but haven't been able to do that until just now. We've discussed decluttering and minimalism prior but I don't feel like chasing down the thread title right now. In that other thread I think I mentioned The Minimal Mom (Dawn) as someone I follow on youtube and have benefitted from listening to because her techniques resonate with me. I've dabbled in other youtube creators who address the same topic but they don't seem to "land" the way she does with me at least.

If your spaces need decluttering, you'd like to engage in minimalism, or you just need help maintaining a tidier living space, she's really effective. She's been such a good guru for me for any and all of the above.

Enter...The Minimal Mom's guru!

Joshua Becker is someone she's podcasted with in the past. Apparently his work was the inspiration behind her journey into becoming a miminalist 10 years ago. He does youtube shorts on tips for minimalism. Really like him. He's very direct and good at breaking techniques and concepts down into easily digested chunks.

I recently got one of his audiobooks narrated by him. Title is "The More of Less". So happy he narrated his own voice as it's familiar to me and it's also very calming to listen to. So...it starts with what set off his own journey into minimalism...no spoilers from me! I happily listened to him reading is own book and when I got to the part where he discusses that there is nothing new about the concept of minimalism and he referenced the work of Henry David Thoreau my actual hand went up in the actual air in a fist bump affirmation as if to say YES!!

I knew from that point on that Joshua Becker was going to be "my go-to guy" for minimalism. He knew Thoreau.

I've written in various threads prior about my absolute love of Thoreau's Walden. That's where he discusses simplyfing that we now know as minimalism. I believe it's in the chapter on Economy. I typically re-read Walden every fall (no one really knows why) but haven't in the past 2 years due to an inability to keep my mind on anything for very long on account of illness. I fell in absolute love with Thoreau when I was still in highschool when I found a poster (think psychedelic art) of a Thoreau quote. Eventually I found the source of the quote which was Walden. If you haven't read Walden you'll either be bored stiff by the "dry read" but I found it completely captivating. Go figure. Walden and the philosophies and observations therein only made me love him, his wisdom, and commitment even more. I promise you are familiar with Thoreau even if you haven't ever read him.

If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away. ~ Thoreau

See what I mean?

Back to Joshua Becker. He's written multiple books on minimalism. If you're interested I suggest you begin with The More of Less as I stated above. Thoreau would be proud of him!

Just found out that he has a newsletter. It costs $20.00 USD...for LIFE. Don't get the newsletter without reading or listening to his book because you really need to hear his backstory in The More of Less, how and why he started a blog that opened the door to a new career and allowed him and his wife a chance to pursue their passions.

Will you agree with every statement he makes? No. Can you benefit from his techniques, extensive research, and advice? Resounding YES! His research on marketing and generational attitudes towards things material and gifting are worth it! Listen to where he talks about the size of homes over the generations. That's exactly something Thoreau observed back in the 1800's, wise man!

Sample his youtube channel. Pick anything that looks good to you. See what you think!

https://www.youtube.com/@JoshuaBecker/featured

Becoming Minimalist Blog

https://www.becomingminimalist.com/

The More of Less: Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You Own

https://www.amazon.com/More-Less-Findin ... 187&sr=8-1

Simplify Magazine

https://simplifymag.com/?fbc_id=6673717 ... b5-7OygFRw

[msnobody]

I’m still listening to him on my way to/from work. Years ago, I decided to cut down on my commitments as he suggested in one of the episodes I listened to. I just stopped doing everything and didn’t miss it a bit. Don’t ask what I stopped doing as it was decades ago.

[Jersey Girl]

I’m still listening to him on my way to/from work. Years ago, I decided to cut down on my commitments as he suggested in one of the episodes I listened to. I just stopped doing everything and didn’t miss it a bit. Don’t ask what I stopped doing as it was decades ago.

Something kicked in for me, too, as I listen to his audiobook. It's about taking control I guess. I'm in the middle of a publicity campaign right now and for the first time I set solid boundaries. Example, out of necessity I trimmed down the work as I saw fit. It's a long story. Reducing digital media time.Essentially...listen to the quiet and no digital input. Shutting down the computer during the day for long periods of time. Doing my New Testament study that I have during the day and 5 minute devotion at night--sometimes nothing at night.
I do view the board if I'm up in the night with symptoms.

I also adopted Dawn's "5 minutes matters" and "Don't put it down, put it away" every day. Going to try out the "Time will Tell" box for a few things soon.

Here is a recent list from Joshua Becker that I copied and followed. I added to it for reminders and some don't apply to us. It's an example of how he breaks things down.

12 Things to Declutter (Right away)

1. Empty boxes and Cardboard pieces.
2. Expired pantry items. Candy Sprinkles.
3. Magazines, newspapers. Craft Books?
4. Broken, mismatched kitchen ware, unused tools.
5. Clothing, bulky
6. Excess blankets.
7. Unused electronics, cords.
8. Outdated decor.
9. Unnecessary kitchen appliances.
10. Extra furniture.
11. Televisions.
12. Duplicates: mugs, tools,.....

Oh and I also started using the Teux Deux App on my phone that Dawn recommends. I'm a life long list maker and this is SO much better than stacks of sticky notes and what have you that I used to make! I only have the free version. Took a little time to develop a system that works well for me.

Next to each item I put frog emojis for eating frogs and sunflowers for good things to do. For balance! I can delete as I go along or move a task to the next day. Loving it now!

[Jersey Girl]

Practical tip from Joshua Becker's youtube community posts.

[IWMP]

Practical tip from Joshua Becker's youtube community posts.

[Jersey Girl]

Practical tip from Joshua Becker's youtube community posts.

I have my iphone boxes and now questioning why. I think one of our family members sent theirs back (trade in?) and the company sent them a box for the return? I'll ask about that. I really enjoy Becker though. On youtube his videos are brief and to the point. His book goes through so many things including how minimalism looks different for each person. For example, if you were an artist your home might be neat and tidy as a pin...very minimal and easy to maintain where your studio might be filled with supplies and projects.

I can relate to that because when I get the urge to create (it's always an urge) I always end up exploding my little studio with all sorts of bits and pieces, and equipment. I saw a meme once and if I remember right it said, "I don't have messes. I have ideas all over the place." <---that's me all over.

So you can tailor minimalism to suit your own interests and even if you weren't interested in minimalism, I think anyone would find something useful in his presentations. Example: If your children get toys dumped on them at Christmas it can become overwhelming to both parents and children. So you stash away some old toys and keep them for about 3-6 months. If they never ask for them, you donate. Lots of practical suggestions like that.

The basic thing is that you trim down your possessions which means less time to manage them, store then, trip over them, shove them around, and less time simply cleaning your house so...you can pursue what you're passionate about. Like me, even though I decluttered a LOT, I revisit categories and do it again. I want to be able to clean my house in 30 minutes. I was able to do that for a long time but sickness causes setbacks. Anyway, I want this place easy to clean so I can do what I want to do. In fact, Becker advises that people start with what they want to do first, then take everything away that gets in the way of you're doing it.

My list would look something like this and it took no time at all to rattle it off. In no particular order:

1. Creative projects
2. Gardening
3. Spiritual growth
4. *Travel
5. *Being present for my family

* For when I fully recover since illness has made me unreliable.

And then there is the fact that he is well familiar with Thoreau's philosophies.

[IWMP]

I have my iphone boxes and now questioning why. I think one of our family members sent theirs back (trade in?) and the company sent them a box for the return? I'll ask about that. I really enjoy Becker though. On youtube his videos are brief and to the point. His book goes through so many things including how minimalism looks different for each person. For example, if you were an artist your home might be neat and tidy as a pin...very minimal and easy to maintain where your studio might be filled with supplies and projects.

I can relate to that because when I get the urge to create (it's always an urge) I always end up exploding my little studio with all sorts of bits and pieces, and equipment. I saw a meme once and if I remember right it said, "I don't have messes. I have ideas all over the place." <---that's me all over.

So you can tailor minimalism to suit your own interests and even if you weren't interested in minimalism, I think anyone would find something useful in his presentations. Example: If your children get toys dumped on them at Christmas it can become overwhelming to both parents and children. So you stash away some old toys and keep them for about 3-6 months. If they never ask for them, you donate. Lots of practical suggestions like that.

The basic thing is that you trim down your possessions which means less time to manage them, store then, trip over them, shove them around, and less time simply cleaning your house so...you can pursue what you're passionate about. Like me, even though I decluttered a LOT, I revisit categories and do it again. I want to be able to clean my house in 30 minutes. I was able to do that for a long time but sickness causes setbacks. Anyway, I want this place easy to clean so I can do what I want to do. In fact, Becker advises that people start with what they want to do first, then take everything away that gets in the way of you're doing it.

My list would look something like this and it took no time at all to rattle it off. In no particular order:

1. Creative projects
2. Gardening
3. Spiritual growth
4. *Travel
5. *Being present for my family

* For when I fully recover since illness has made me unreliable.

And then there is the fact that he is well familiar with Thoreau's philosophies.

I think I'm pretty minimalist. Clutter gives me anxiety. We don't have ornaments. Currently don't have pictures in the living room. I moved the TV to where the pictures were and they are big pictures so didn't want the TV in front of them. I don't mind rugs and some clutter upstairs. The kids have ornaments and I guess they have a fair amount of clutter. We have Lego in the kitchen as ornaments lol. I like plants. Not wild with them. Got one in the dining room and 5 plants in the kitchen and then like a trough with 4 cacti in the kitchen. The kitchen shelves build up with stuff that I end up just bagging up and squishing in a cupboard to deal with another day lol. Currently tackling the dining room. I've slacked a bit the last few weeks. Just starting to feel more human. So the dining table is annoying me. It's full of kids stuff and usually I like it empty. But just with dealing with feeling ill and sorting medication (which still isn't sorted. TSH is still too high so need to call consultant on Tuesday, bank holiday today). I was researching it because in my mind I had all sorts of images but I think as long as there is enough T4 things might be ok. I hope. Anyway... Had thoughts to dismantle the dining table and put it away. Not sure that will go down well. It's one of those things we won't need until it's gone. Knowing my luck it will get smashed while I try to store it. Already have a couple of thoughts of where to put the glass top out of the way. The legs are metal. Could probably bag them up and stick them in the shed. This is one of those impulsive ideas I get. Currently in the middle of decorating 4 rooms. Decided to get them done and not start any new projects. 7 year old has already asked for her room to be redecorated and I'm thinking dude, your room is the only room that is complete. I said I can take the mountains away and she was like no, I like those. She said she wants her room fully white so she can put posters up. I said put posters up. Sons room is currently fully white. Kinda lost with that one because he told me what he wanted. I got posters and canvas pictures and mentally planned it and then he decided he didn't want that anymore. So now I'm stuck in this mental space because we've already painted it white. The price of paint from husbands work has gone from £1/L to £2.50/L which is still good but massively different. Anyway... Will spend the next few months slowly forcing myself to complete the tasks I started. Was going to change the top of the living room from white to grey and I changed my mind once I did a test portion. Don't like the grey so that makes life easier. Will sand it off and paint it white. (Got grey "suede" paint. It's nothing like suede. It's like sand paper. Got grit in it to give it texture. It's not good).

Anyway... Went on a ramble. I hate that I can't enjoy things for long it's like, I get bored of the layout or need to change something. There's no reason for it. It's not like an actual boredom. It's like an impulsive pull to change something. Even as a kid I was constantly rearranging my bedroom. I guess that's why less clutter is good because there's less to rearrange lol.

[Dr. Shades]

Back to Joshua Becker. He's written multiple books on minimalism.

If someone has more than one book on minimalism, doesn't that prove him or her a charlatan?