Why do we collect so much stuff?  I mean, how much is really necessary?  I recently went through each closet, cabinet, and corner of our home clearing the clutter.  I love to purge! 

Whew! It's feels so good to let this all go!

I was talking with my parents the other day and they couldn’t believe that I had anything to get rid of.  They made a comment about our place always looking so neat and tidy.  And yes, I will gladly admit that I love to organize and create a place for everything.  But even I, someone who used to organize as a profession, can feel crushed by the weight of unwanted and unused items.  Over time, it just stacks up and decisions need to be made. 

Did you know that the average house size in America has doubled since the 1950’s?  Today, it’s completely ridiculous to think that an entire family could be comfortable with only one bathroom!  With more square footage comes more stuff.  And at some point, for many, the stuff begins to own the space, resulting in emotional and mental choas.  If we could drop an average American neighborhood into a cartoon scene, I would imagine that many of the homes (at least garages) would be bursting at the seams!  Can you just picture it? 

Our home should be an oasis from the outside world.  It should be warm and inviting.  Cozy and inspiring.  Our home should be a reflection of who we are and what’s most important to us.  It should be a space that we love coming back to and that rejuvenates us at the end of each day.  After all, home truly is one of the most important places in the world! 

So, when was the last time you walked through your space and evaluated each item?  Have you created a home that ignites and envelops your soul?  For me, living more simply has solidified the fact that our space matters and deeply reflects how we feel inside. 

Here are some important questions I ask while sorting through my stuff:

• Do I love it?
• Do I use it?  Is it functional?
• Does it make me happy?
• Can I replace it if I had to?
• If lost in a fire, would I know?  Would I remember it?

For some, a lot of stuff has sentimental value.  Maybe it was a gift or an item that holds special and emotional memories.  These are often the hardest things to make decisions on and let go of.  Then, there is the “what if” stuff.  What if I miss it?  What if I could use it next month, next year or you know, someday?  What if it cost me a lot money?  Any of this sound familiar?  If so, here’s some thoughts to consider:

• Start small, with a big plan.  Create a vision map for your home.  What does each room look like?  Feel like?  What is its purpose?  Once this is decided, only items that support this vision should live in that particular space.  I don’t care if you start with a drawer and work ten minutes.  Just start somewhere.
• If an item holds sentimental value, ask yourself if it is the item or the person/event.  Can you take pictures and create a memory photo album or scrapbook page?  Or, if you are just not sure about letting the item go, can you pack it in a box to be opened at a later date?  Often, once an item is out of sight, it falls out of mind.  If this is the case, you should have an easier time letting it go. 
• When you condider your space and the things that fill it, create a scenario in your mind.  Pretend you are moving out next month.  Or, if you’d like to get really serious, picture a fire encompassing your home.  Which possessions would you miss the most?  This exercise will help you decide which items truly add value to your life and space. 
• Stop buying more stuff!  Only bring items into your home that are needed and fulfill the purpose of your precious personal environment.

If you’re like me, you have stuff in your life that has fallen into the clutter category.  It’s the stuff that just doesn’t add value to you or your home.  Release it!  Really, it’s okay.

Letting go of stuff is never easy.  It takes time, discipline, and a lot of energy!  But, through small steps and persistence, I am confident that any one can make a house, a home.  And remember, less is always more.  It’s the perfect ingredient for a life desiring more simplicity. 

“The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.” 

~Hans Hofmann 

How have you cleared the clutter in your life this summer?