In 2015, I became a minimalist and started a journey I never thought possible. When people hear my story, they often ask what minimalism is, how to become a minimalist, and what is it like being a minimalist.
I will tell you that I LOVE getting asked about minimalism because it gives me the opportunity to share the lifestyle that helped transform my life into one of purpose and intentionality.
My lifestyle is a dream come true for many reasons, but this post isn’t about me. It is about answering your questions about minimalism.
In this post, I’m going to address the following things:
- What minimalism is
- Why you should become a minimalist
- Does minimalism make you happy?
- How to become a minimalist
- Struggles you will likely have as a minimalist
- How to overcome your struggles of becoming a minimalist
- and a few things to remember
This is going to be an information-packed post, so let’s dive right into it!
What is minimalism?
My personal definition of minimalism goes a little like this:
Minimalism is a lifestyle guide to help you remove distractions, discover your true purpose in life, and live to the fullest – focusing on experiences versus material possessions.
– Erin Tannehill
I truly believe that to fully live your life, you have to remove anything that doesn’t add value or promote your best life. Once you align with that idea, doors open, and your life changes.
But don’t just take my word for it. Let me provide two definitions from a few fellow minimalists who helped me when I started my journey.
According to Joshua Becker’s definition of minimalism:
…intentionally promoting the things we most value and removing everything that distracts us from it.
Joshua Becker [source]
I think this definition sums up what it is well, but let’s look at another definition from The Minimalists:
Minimalism is a tool that can assist you in finding freedom. Freedom from fear. Freedom from worry. Freedom from overwhelm. Freedom from guilt. Freedom from depression. Freedom from the trappings of the consumer culture weโve built our lives around. Real freedom.
The Minimalists [source]
Together these two definitions are the epitome of why I chose to pursue this lifestyle. I’ve found freedom, live distraction-free, and love discussing it with anyone who will listen.
Why you should become a minimalist
I get it! Changing your lifestyle can be scary. I’ve been there and was nervous about the changes.
However, you shouldn’t let fear of the unknown keep you from becoming a minimalist! In fact, you should lean into the fear and become a minimalist anyway!
Outside of my own personal opinion, here are a few benefits of being a minimalist:
- You create more space for the things that truly matter.
- You spend less time cleaning and more time living!
- You’re able to reduce stress and gain clarity.
- You’re tired of keeping up with the Joneses.
- You want the freedom to chase after your dreams!
There are many more points that I have shared in the two articles below, but I think you’re seeing the possibilities minimalism has to offer!
Dive deeper into the benefits by checking out these two posts:
These posts discuss deciding to become a minimalist and the benefits once you are a minimalist.
Does minimalism make you happy?
I think this is an interesting question because happiness is subjective and ever-fleeting. It is something we have to continuously work to have.
The true answer is that minimalism does not make you happy. However, it does help you align better with who you want to be, and that can increase how often you are happy.
Again, minimalism is a guide or tool to help you live a life full of experiences and focus on what is important.
The great news is that you don’t have to wait until you “are” a minimalist to work at being happier. You can start right now, and I have a post with lots of ideas to help you!
How to become a minimalist
Now that you know more about minimalism, let’s go through how to become a minimalist!
1 // Don’t wait to get started with minimalism
Get started on your minimalism journey right this moment! If you wait, you may never get started.
The easiest and best way to start your minimalism journey is to establish WHY becoming a minimalist is important to you.
- Why do you want to live simpler?
Once you answer this question, ask yourself WHY that is important and keep going until you’ve answered WHY seven times!
You want to know the heart of your WHY so that when things get difficult, you’ll know why it is important to keep going.
Next, you need to visualize your home decluttered.
- What does your home look like decluttered?
- How does your home feel after being decluttered?
- How do you feel in your home?
Then, you need to visualize the person you are after you’ve decluttered.
- How do you feel?
- What things do you have time to do now?
- What are you no longer doing?
The more clarity you have with visualizing yourself and your home after you’ve decluttered, the easier it will be to bring that dream to life.
2 // Declutter your life
Of course, you have to actually declutter your life to remove distractions from it. There are three areas to consider:
- The Home
- Digital Life
- Your Mind
Here are a few tips for each to help you get started:
The Home //
1] You’ll have the most success decluttering by category because you’ll gather everything within that category to be able to see all that you have.
A great example of this is a book collection. They are easy to spread throughout the house, and maybe you don’t even notice all of them anymore.
When you gather them all together, you disrupt things that blend into the space and open your eyes up to see how many books you truly have.
This realization helps you decide what books you really want to keep and what to let go of to create space.
2] Don’t be afraid to test your abilities to go minimal!
See how little you can actually live with for 30 days. Just box up what you think you don’t need and see how you feel.
If you don’t like being so minimal, just bring out a couple more items to make it more feasible for you. Don’t try to bring it all back into your space because we are trying to minimize it here.
3] Be honest with yourself as you declutter.
Listen to how your body reacts to things. Does it hesitate to feel something for an item? Do you feel very excited when you see that item?
When you listen to your gut about items and don’t try to say, “Well… I really love this at one time…” That mindset doesn’t help you declutter your life.
Digital Life //
Your digital life can crowd your life just like physical items, so decluttering it is a must!
1] Start with decluttering your computer!
Clean off your Desktop, delete anything in the Downloads, Pictures, Documents, and Video files you don’t need, and remove apps you don’t use.
2] Declutter your social media accounts!
If you are following people who don’t inspire you or are negative all of the time, UNFOLLOW THEM! You deserve so much more than following people who don’t lift you up and encourage you to be your best self.
Also, be sure to unfollow brands or companies that always push the newest products on you. This will help you reduce your urge to consume, which is very helpful!
3] Declutter your smartphone!
I have a blog post dedicated to detoxing from your smartphone, so you can check that out if you want!
Be sure to declutter your photos, text messages, contacts, and apps you don’t use and set up perimeters to help you become more intentional with the time you spend on your phone.
Your Mind //
One of the most important things about becoming a minimalist is being conscious of your mental health. It wasn’t something I expected to gain, but have forever been grateful for getting it!
There are several ways to declutter your mind, but there are three that specifically help me that I want to mention.
1] Journaling is my favorite way to keep my mind clear.
Regardless if you free-write or follow a prompt, there is always something to gain from journaling. I encourage you to spend a minimum of ten minutes a day doing this.
[If you enjoy using journaling prompts, I do have a Self-Discovery Journal Prompts eBook in the Resource Library! Get access to it now!]
2] Do a daily Thought Download [Brain Dump].
While this is similar to journaling, it is a more chopped approach. If you have a lot of things circling your mind that keep coming back up, a Thought Download can help you release them.
This isn’t a way for you to create a To-Do List because you aren’t trying to focus your thoughts. The purpose of this is to simply get everything on your mind currently out onto paper.
3] Get outside and go for a walk.
There is nothing like going for a slow walk to clear your mind and see what there is to see on your walk.
I try to walk for at least 20 minutes a day, and I always finish it feeling far better than I did before I started.
3 // Donate, Sell, Gift ASAP
All of the things you choose to let go of need to be gotten out of your house as soon as possible. Once you make the decision to declutter an item, you need to stick to that.
By getting these things out of your house right away, you’re committing to your decision and not allowing yourself to change your mind.
4 // Don’t make it about the stuff
Becoming a minimalist is about the person and life you want to have. If you turn your perspective towards the things you have, you instantly lose the clarity you started to create.
Stuff doesn’t make you happy, nor does it help you get closer to your dream life. Remember, this journey is about you, not the things you own.
5 // Be more intentional
Focus your efforts on living and experiencing all life has to offer! When you fill your life full of experiences, you get to hold that memory forever, and that is priceless!
Also, learn how to say “NO” more! It isn’t a terrible thing to say, so if you don’t want to do something, don’t do it.
If something doesn’t align with where you are headed, it is okay to focus your efforts elsewhere.
This is why I’m not on Instagram for 2020.
You can change your mind at any time, by the way. You don’t have to say yes or no to something forever. Allow yourself that flexibility and freedom.
6 // Reduce consumption
I previously wrote a post about Minimalist Shopping that you should read, as it explains this well.
When you reduce the brands you follow on social media, become intentional with staying out of stores unless you need something, and don’t online shop like a crazy person because of free shipping, your life changes.
Challenge yourself to only spend money on things you absolutely have to have! Yes, it can take some practice and persistence, but it is well worth the effort!
Related Post: No Spend Challenge
7 // Simplify your expenses and pay off debt
By reducing what you spend each month, you free yourself of “having to work” and allowing yourself the opportunity to work.
Going from having to work to pay bills to getting to work to save up for a fabulous vacation automatically changes what you think about working.
You could also have the opportunity to reduce the hours you work, which means more time for living life!
One thing I do want to suggest, regardless of any circumstances, is to track where your money is going each month!
This is a simple thing that so many people ignore! They just look at the balance of a bill and pay it.
I had a friend lower her monthly expenses by $400 just by looking at where her money was going! Friend, that is too much money to be just giving away unless you’re giving to a chosen charity organization!
Related Post: 39 Ways to Cut Expenses from Your Budget
Struggles as a Minimalist
I hate to tell you this, but being a minimalist isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. You are going to have some rainy days.
But that is life! It cannot be perfect all of the time.
Don’t worry, though! I’ve been through this and can help!
First, I’m going to share the struggles you will likely face, then I’m going to share how to overcome them.
I’ve got you, friend!
Struggle #1 // Family/spouse not supporting your vision
This one can be tricky for many reasons. If you have a spouse who does not believe in living with only essentials, it can be a struggle to find a happy medium.
If you live at home with your family, it can be difficult to make your space your own, considering all of the influence in the rest of the home that may not support your vision.
Oftentimes the missing key is communication.
Being open with them about what your vision is and why can open the door to achieving your vision.
Related Post: 6 Tips For Living With A Non-Minimalist
Struggle #2 // Receiving gifts that are not needed or wanted
I think everyone and their momma can say they have been on the receiving end of an unwanted or unneeded gift.
However, when you are trying to live more intentionally, it can be difficult to get other people to understand that.
Gifts have been a customary thing in our culture for so long that people aren’t necessarily questioning why they need to bring a gift; they just do.
Struggle #3 // Being unhappy with your progress
Minimalism is a journey, not a destination. You have to focus on doing the things you can and letting go of the things you can’t.
Getting my home fully decluttered took about six months, and trust me, I wish the process would have been faster. However, I was doing the best I could, which is all anyone can do.
Remember to enjoy the journey you are on, regardless of where you are in it.
Another reason for being unhappy with your progress is you feel other people are slowing you down with decluttering or tidying.
The other people in your home may not want to become minimalist or declutter their things, and you have to be okay with that.
It would be great to have everyone on the same page, but sometimes that takes time or doesn’t happen at all. Remember that you are the only person you can control.
Struggle #4 // Consumption
There are times when all you want to do is buy things. It can be a defense mechanism for your mind to keep from changing.
It can send you into overdrive, and before you know it, you’ve bought an entirely new wardrobe.
Just remember that this is normal! Give yourself some grace, return the items, and find other ways to occupy yourself, like reading books or learning a new skill.
Struggle #5 // Judging your past self
It is easy to belittle your past self for making choices you wouldn’t make again.
I mean, I purchased very expensive clothes for a career I thought I wanted, then decided not to pursue. When I decluttered them, I got a whole $2 for just one item!
It was horrible, and I could have ripped myself a new one, but I took it as a learning lesson and moved on to the new future I created for myself.
Struggle #6 // Discovering who you really are
Minimalism helps you clear distractions from your life to help you gain clarity in the life you really want. However, you could discover that you don’t like the person you are.
It happened to me, and if I can come out the other side, so can you!
Struggle #7 // What other people think of you
I’ll be the first to tell you that what other people think of you is none of your business, but that doesn’t turn off the worry right away, does it?
Honestly, I had a hard time telling my friends and family about my decision to become a minimalist. I wasn’t sure how to explain it for them to understand, which only left them confused.
People who saw all I was getting rid of asked me if I was so broke that I had to sell everything I owned to make ends meet. They couldn’t understand why I chose to declutter my life.
The truth is that people’s reactions to your lifestyle change have more to do with them than it does you. So take their reaction with a grain of salt.
Struggle #8 // Decluttering and becoming overwhelmed
The decluttering process is no joke, and at times you may scold yourself for starting the process. It may completely overwhelm you to the point that you have to take a step back.
Get ready for it because it will happen, especially if you’re going through the full process and being 100% honest with what you really need and what is nice to have but can let go of.
How to overcome your struggles of becoming a minimalist
I hope that the last section didn’t discourage you, but if it did, this section will get you excited again! I’m sure of it!
Let’s discuss how to overcome any struggles you will likely experience.
1 // Leading by example works far better than trying to control someone
When you lead by example, you allow people to observe you as you transition from where you are now to a minimalist.
It is also easier to have other people get curious and jump on board when you lead by example.
Again, you cannot control anyone except yourself, so don’t waste your energy trying.
2 // Understand the meaning of a gift and remove the pressure
If you received an unwanted or unneeded gift, know that it is okay to declutter it.
The act of giving is more important than you keeping that gift, so let go of the guilt. It is okay!
Think about how the gifter would feel if they heard you kept their gift for 10 years and you never did anything with it. They would wonder why you kept it for all of those years and tell you to let someone else enjoy it!
You can also use this as a learning experience as a gifter, too! Let anyone you gift an item know that if it isn’t useful to them, it is okay to bless someone else with it and that you thought of them when you picked it out, but you don’t want to burden them with it.
Of course, you can say it however you want to, but make sure they know it won’t hurt your feelings if they declutter it.
3 // Remove unnecessary pressures and timelines
There are no rules or regulations for how quickly you declutter or change your habits, so don’t put that kind of pressure on yourself.
Remember that you’ll most likely evolve with your ideas of what minimalism is for you, so go with the flow!
4 // Give your past self grace
Your past self didn’t know any better, so be kind to them! After all, they cannot defend themselves anyway!
Instead of being mean or thinking badly of your past self, think about how they didn’t know what you know now and how you’re so glad you’ve had the opportunity to change your mindset.
5 // Identify triggers and set yourself up for success
Thinking about shopping sprees or getting back into old mindsets? These can be triggers that will derail your progress, but they don’t have to if you don’t let them.
When you think of shopping sprees and spending all of that money on things you don’t need, get out a journal and make a list of all the things you do have. By the end of it, you’ll find that you have more than enough.
This opens a space of contentment and removes the urge to overspend and buy things you don’t need.
The same goes for slipping back into bad habits. Become aware of them, acknowledge them, then work through them in a curious way.
When you approach any old behaviors with a gratitude list, it is hard to want to divert back to those old behaviors.
6 // Getting to know yourself is hard but worth it
Since October 2018, I’ve spent a lot of time getting to know myself because, remember, I didn’t like who I was once I decluttered my life.
The journey to love myself was a rough and long one, but I am so thankful for it! I know myself better than I ever have, and I also love myself for being able to put in the work to become the person I see myself being.
If I can do it, so can you!
Also, don’t be afraid to seek professional help! I have a therapist and life coach helping me become a better version of myself.
7 // Let go of caring what others think of you gives you your power back
Again, what other people think about you is none of your business.
When you try to make it your business, you lose the power you give them.
Stop caring what other people think of you. You do you, friend!
8 // Take it slow and steady
There is no reason to rush to declutter, change, or become a minimalist. Enjoy the process. Take it slow and steady!
Definitely do not set any kind of strict deadlines with yourself, because that only invites overwhelm into your life, which is no good!
Remember this about how to become a minimalist //
As you go through the process of becoming a minimalist, keep your focus on WHY you want to become a minimalist. If you have to, write it down and keep it with you while you declutter.
Remember to take care of yourself mentally! There is nothing more important than your health, so give yourself the care you need. If you need any ideas, check out my Mental Cleanse Challenge!
The longer you practice living a minimalist lifestyle, the easier it gets. You won’t always have to be so aware of the things you are doing because they will become your new normal.
Now the most important thing to do during all of this is CELEBRATE your achievements! When you finish something, take the time to soak in how amazing of a job you did and celebrate your progress!
Final thoughts about how to become a minimalist
I love being a minimalist and want everyone I know to follow suit because of the opportunities this lifestyle creates!
If you’re at all considering making the lifestyle change, shoot me an email [ erin[at]thetannehillhomestead[dot]com ] so that I can help cheer you through the process!
If you haven’t gone through the Mental Cleanse Challenge yet, what are you waiting for? Sign up now to declutter your mind and move one step closer to becoming a minimalist.
Neda Arafat says
Buying less clutter saves you time cleaning, saves money and is destressing to see clear surfaces and have less to manage.
I bring these points up often to my family and so our new goal is to spend less time in stores and purging gifts every 3- 4 months. We feel once we are bored with an item it’s time to give it to someone else, usually the shelter, who will treasure them.
I’ve noticed it’s easier to part with clutter if it’s out of sight first. So I put it in a box then in a month decide if I didn’t miss it or take it out to use then I don’t need it. Also, I do garage sales, list them on Craigslist and ebay and use the money for going out on dates with my husband to restaurants. I feel I got its worth and turned things into memories of things we could afford to do together.
Erin | A Welder's Wife says
I love that you are making it a family affair. Turning the clutter into cash then into experiences is a great transformation for any family! So glad to hear you are taking charge and shaping your family’s memories, Neda!
Brigitte says
I feel like I’m in a constant struggle of me vs. everyone else in my household. I have leaned toward minimalism for years, but I can’t get my husband or kids on board. I’m constantly donating or selling things, and I truly feel no real connection to (almost) any possession in my house. I want my home to feel cozy but uncluttered. I really do worry about what others think and what my home conveys when people come over. A frustrating moment recently was when a neighbor popped in unexpectedly and, when I apologized for some boxes and clutter sitting around, she characterized my house as “messy, but not dirty”. The fact that she sees it as messy, when I work daily to try to make it look otherwise, really hurt my feelings. I felt as though all of my worry and trying is for nothing. As a child of a hoarder, I see myself slowly turning into one, try as I may to avoid it. It is a constant battle against stuff. Mostly other people’s stuff! My husband refuses to get rid of anything and says that he likes to be surrounded by his things. My kids are gifted so many things that they don’t care about or take care of. It is especially hard now after the holidays. I just discovered your blog and look forward to lots more inspiration from you! (Thanks for letting me vent!)
Erin | A Welder's Wife says
Brigitte, I can only imagine the struggle you face. I am in no position to offer advice [I do not have children], but I will recommend a book that I think may help. The book is Living Well Spending Less by Ruth Soukup. It helped me when I felt like I was drowning due to my possessions. ๐ By the way, I am here any time you need to vent.
Brigitte says
Thank you, Erin! The book has a waiting list at my library, but I am now next in line to get her newer book titled Unstuffed. Thank you for the recommendation and for the sweet comment. ๐
Erin | A Welder's Wife says
Absolutely! I have been wanting to read Unstuffed! Let me know what you think about it, Brigitte!
Erica Nicole says
oh. my. gosh. from 1-6 these are all thoughts and feelings that I have had since I’ve even had a minimal mindset. I hate that consumerism CONSTANTLY consumes me. I hate that my husband won’t get on board and get rid of stuff. Most importantly, I hate the fact that I worry about what others will think of me. Trying to be a minimalist is hard BUT it’s a good thing! It also is so beneficial for you and the world so let’s continue to motivate one another to keep going on this journey!
Erin | A Welder's Wife says
Erica, I completely understand what you are feeling in your journey. At first, I worried what others would think. However, it all changed when I figured out how to communicate WHY I decided to become a minimalist. I challenge you to do the same. Also, we as humans are programmed to consume, but making a conscious effort to replace consumption with different alternatives can lesson the severity of it. Most of the time, we consume due to boredom. So I personally started to write and read books more often. This helped me a lot!
Kiara says
I loved everything about this post because almost ALL OF THESE I can relate to. Especially with receiving gifts that you obviously don’t want to come off rude or ungrateful–but if you don’t love it or need it, why keep it? I am so glad that you wrote about this because I know there are so many other people who can relate to these struggles as well! I always love coming back to your content for minimalism inspiration!
Erin | A Welder's Wife says
Ahh! Kiara, you know exactly how to make me swoon! This is exactly why I wrote this post. As I mentioned in the post, I am only giving advice based on experience, so if I can help you or someone else avoid what I may have experienced, it was worth the effort!
Christine says
I’ve become a minimalist after loosing everything to a house fire. I’ve really been struggling with family members who try to push things on me that I really don’t want. Now that we are in our new home, I only want the things I absolutely love. Thanks for posting this as I wasn’t sure anyone really understood the struggle!
Erin | A Welder's Wife says
I am so glad you found comfort in it, Christine! Yes, I completely understand family pushing things on your thinking you want them, when that may not be the case. I agree; if you do not love it, it does not deserve space in your home.
Rachel says
Interesting insight! While I know I couldn’t be a super minimalist, there are definitely smaller steps I’m ready to start with. I hate the feeling of clutter!
Erin | A Welder's Wife says
Thank you, Rachel! I agree. I could not be a minimalist who only owns 100 items. I believe you should own what brings you happiness and serves a purpose in your life. For me, this has been the key to eliminate all the clutter from my home.
Kassandra says
Wow, this is such an awesome list!!
I am slowly and surly transitioning my life into minimalism! It it so darn hard but I hate clutter! I’m going to save this list for later ๐
Kass
Erin | A Welder's Wife says
It can be difficult, Kassandra. It did not happen for me over night, but every bit of the effort is worth the end results! Just keep at it! ๐
Emily says
Thanks for this post. My husband is not only NOT a minimalist, he is actually a collector. It’s a constant struggle because while I want to declutter and clean out, I feel like his stuff will just fill the space I open up. It’s something we have started talking about, but we haven’t reached an agreement yet.
Erin | A Welder's Wife says
I understand, Emily! It takes time to get on the same page. I know it took a lot of time and open communication about what we wanted our home to be like. My best advice is to keep communicating, but do it with heart. Do not communicate when you are aggravated or mad at each other. Being calm and having your thoughts collected is a big help! Compromise is the other key factor. You will get there, just keep working at it!
laura gutierrez says
I have had success with letting him know this one space is yours and specify perimeters and ask that he not put anything there at all even just for a minute this worked with a hoarder roommate the space was a bay window i explained i liked to see the pretty blue tile. thought this might help and might be a good place to start~ good luck and peace, Laura
Erin | A Welder's Wife says
That is a good way to do things, Laura! It sets boundaries in a way that works for everyone. They have “their” space, and you have your own. However, it is difficult sometimes when it is a common area. I like that you explain why you do not want their things in a particular space within your common area.
Sarah Jean Althouse says
The struggle is real! My sort of hoarding family will never understand…nor why I don’t want a popcorn machine. haha!
Erin | A Welder's Wife says
Haha! I get it! Mine are the exact same way!
candy says
Family members can stand in your way if they don’t see your vision or want to get rid of just stuff. We started with this rule if we haven’t worn it, used it or touched it in five years it goes. After that we moved the time line down to two years. Amazing how much stuff went out the door. It is something we work on all the time slowly together.
Erin | A Welder's Wife says
Yes, Candy! If they do not have the same vision, it definitely interrupts progress. I had several months of decluttering underway before my family understood that I was not going to store much due to downsizing. I just do not see why I need to keep things that will not be used for a long time. Others can enjoy it, so I either sell or donate these items.
Mrs. Mommy Mack says
Ughhhhhhhh…Getting gifts is a BIG problem in our house. Or when family members give you their castaways. So. Much. Stuff!
Erin | A Welder's Wife says
I understand completely! My family used to be the same way, but after explaining time and time again that I simply do not have the space, they have relaxed a bit.
Rebecca Hicks says
You are so inspiring!! I am hoping to slowly start working on decluttering my life. Luckily, I don’t have much, but I know it is easy to accumulate and accumulate as the years go on. My goal for the end of the year is to declutter my clothes and craft closet (which are both a nightmare right now!).
Erin | A Welder's Wife says
Thank you, Rebecca! That means a lot! Accumulating is definitely easier than removing! I try to evaluate my things every other month, unless things are noticeably getting out of hand. So far, that has worked great for me. Good luck with your clothes and craft closet! Crafts were my nightmare when it came to decluttering! So I definitely feel your pain, but you can do it! ๐
Sam says
I to am in the process of becoming a minimalist and I do find it hard when other family members don’t understand. I guess it’s about balance and coming to a place of agreement. I enjoy decluttering though, it is so freeing and makes me feel at peace! ๐
Erin | A Welder's Wife says
I understand exactly how you feel, Sam! At first, my husband thought I was decluttering because we were putting our home on the market and moving. It was not until we started moving into our new home that he realized I was changing our household lifestyle. As long as I stayed open about my next move, we were able to work out compromises to make us both happy. For instance, he has more socks than anyone knows what to do with, but he will not allow me to cull old ones unless they have holes in them. Our compromise in this situation was he can have two weeks worth of socks in his drawers and the rest would be stored with his extra clothing [same situation there too!]. It works for both of us while we are living in such a small space compared to before we moved.
Sarah Jean says
Erin, I can identify with every single struggle. My husband isn’t that bad as far as keeping stuff, but he does not see the vision yet. (You should see his pen collection because we might “need them!”) Clutter also puts me on sensory overload and removing “stuff” has definitely helped me find balance and appreciate the little things better.
Erin | A Welder's Wife says
I know exactly how you feel with all of this, Sarah Jean! My husband has his “just in case” collections, and the only way I can cope is to find an out of sight place to store them that is not easily accessible for me… I may just declutter them if it is easily accessible. ๐ The less clutter the better, even in close drawers.
Cara says
This is great, Erin! I’ve tried to unsubscribe to online store e-mail updates to keep myself from purchasing things I don’t really need. It has helped tremendously, as I’m not constantly being tempted with items. Great advice on remembering it is a journey, that’s really helpful! ๐
Erin | A Welder's Wife says
I am glad you found this helpful, Cara! I have subscribed to a few new websites to get the coupon code for an order I was placing [great marketing strategy]. Now, I either have to delete and unsubscribe from these marketing emails, or be tempted to purchase something I probably do not need. Ahh, consumerism in America! haha!