Clutterfree
Sometimes when you are reading about or hearing about people that have simplified their lives, it can be frustrating that you aren’t in the same situation. I remember when I first started reading about living more simply, I wanted to be debt free and living with less immediately. I overlooked that it wouldn’t be an overnight experience. Sometimes I got frustrated when it took longer than I thought it would.
Recently, a reader suggested that I may have forgotten about new readers who are just beginning their journey to be more with less.
I want to let you know that I haven’t forgotten you. In fact, I am still a beginner myself. I learn something new about how I want to live my life more simply everyday. That said, I have made big strides over the past 5 years, like eliminating meat from my diet, paying off my debt, and quitting my job, that have all contributed to a simpler life.
The biggest change of all towards living more simply has been decluttering my home and life to be clutter free. Instead of spending my time dusting, organizing, or shopping, I have time for people and things that really matter.
In fact, I’ve come to think about things/stuff in a completely different way. I appreciate the things I have, but could let anything go at anytime. I am visiting and working in New Orleans today, and thinking about the things I brought with me, and the stuff I left behind.
- I’m glad I brought a scarf because New Orleans feels like a San Francisco Summer today. Brrrrrrrr!
- I’m happy I have my computer so I can easily write and publish this post.
- My lip balm protects my lips from this blustery weather.
- I’m borrowing my husbands backpack while he’s in a meeting, and it’s a perfect fit for what I want to carry today.
- Lastly, my cell phone is my immediate connection to my daughter if she needs anything.
I like enjoying these few things, and don’t miss anything I left behind. In fact, whenever I travel, and live with less, I feel lighter and more inspired to really assess what I need/have/want at home.
A clutter-free life allows you to …
- move more freely
- spend less time cleaning
- stop organizing entirely
- spend less money taking care of your stuff
- have more attention for what really matters to you
Even more powerful, a clutter-free life has allowed me to be healthier and have more meaningful relationships.
If that sound appealing to you, but you don’t know where to start or struggle with living with less, you might like my new project, Clutterfree. Leo Babauta (from Zen Habits) and I created an ebook package and 4 week course to help you understand your relationship with stuff, and show you how to kick it to the curb.
The digital package includes the Clutterfree ebook with formats so you can enjoy it digitally anyway you like (Kindle, iPad, iPhone, computer), along with awesome interviews from Clutter-free experts Joshua Becker and Tammy Strobel, a video Clutterfree Q&A with Leo Babauta, and a bonus PDF about how to enjoy a clutter-free holiday season.
The Clutterfree Course is now available for self study.
Dig deep into your stuff, understand why you have it and learn how to let it go. It will be a meaningful 4 week experience, and fun too! You’ll enjoy weekly lessons and homework assignments along with interactive webinars and a few surprises.
Learn more at clutterfreecourse.com.
Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, please subscribe to Be More with Less & share on twitter.
subscribe your way …
Thanks so much for this very timely post. I too, am desirous of living (and enjoying)a clutter free life. This has been a process because I (like so many others)somehow bought into the foolish notion that MORE is really best, when I can be MORE with LESS! Having more has contributed to a loss of freedom, and the weight of worry. Each day I work towards being clutter free (almost there) debt free (working diligently towards that goal)and worry free(or at least worry less). Kudos, to you for a subject that needs to be explored and embraced.
Thank you! I’m a very new reader, and new to this “live more with less” movement. Little by little, I’m decluttering my home. I’m giving away things for those in need. Selling what I can (we just had our first garage sale), and pitching useless things. Thank you for the reminder that this is not something that occurs overnight, but with gradual steps. I’m actually really enjoying getting rid of so much stuff!
Interesting post… I’m currently on a trip FROM New Orleans to Amsterdam & now Paris. And I’m not missing anything I left behind either, except my 2 sons~
Despite the fact that I did a fairly reasonable job of packing light, I still have more than I need. I’m also glad to have a scarf, a knit hat & my cuddl duds long johns, as it’s definitely colder here than I’m used to. I do miss my Android phone, which doesn’t work here, but otherwise, it’s wonderful. Every time we take a trip I realize again how few things I need with me to feel comfortable! It helps inspire me to get rid of more of the unnecessary clutter at home… I was on a roll of decluttering & donating just before we left and I’m looking forward to resuming when we return. This is definitely a process, and one I’ve been working on for some time.
Getting rid of clutter…Just looking at my bookcase brings chills down my spine. Agh.
This is the place where everything ends up.
I’ll break it down by focusing on one shelf at a time.
I have been reading your blog for over a year now, along with a bunch of other minimalist blogs. I have done some paring down, but then I get busy and stressed and my things start to grow. As a student I struggle to keep things in order in my home, I also live with my mom who is one of the messiest people I know. Do you have any articles on how to become a minimalist when I am busy? I refuse to give up college, which is a huge time and energy suck, but I still want to be more of a minimalist.
Congrats on the launch of Clutterfree. Looks like a great program!
Very cool. Big fan of Leo; looking forward to this.
Firstly, I think you’ve nailed the design of this blog, so well done. It’s minimalist and fresh, good colour themes and liking the banner across the top. The sea is always calming.
I like your message that we should take things one step at a time and enjoyed your recent post on problogger. I agree that it’s so important to focus on content and not get too distracted with all the other aspects of blogging. After all, there’s an awful lot to it these days. It seems that to run a successful blog you have to be in all places at all times, so the message of just producing good content first and foremost never gets old and I think should be repeated to every new generation of bloggers.
Cheers.
Clutter. I used to live with clutter. I recently realized, however, that I am beginning to get rid of stuff. Just this morning I loaded up the pickup with an old box-spring mattress, some old paint, tires, and metal that had been laying around my shop and garage. I took it all to the city recycling center.
I have also noticed that I put tools back where they belong. Not long ago I would have to search for a needed tool, only to locate it preciesly where I was finished using it the last time it was needed.
I don’t know what changed. I am getting older and value my free time more. Maybe it has to do with just being efficient. Whatever the cause, this should be encouraging for others as, habits CAN be changed and sometimes it’s not even painful.
Nice blog. I am following you on twitter.
You are right. Anything worth doing is a journey. It does not happen overnight. It takes purposeful action.
Also, next time you are in New Orleans try to have dinner at Upper Line. Fantastic.
Thank you for the post, package and, frankly, for existing and telling your story. In my early years as a trader, I heard the phrase, “The more you know, the less you need.” It sounded a bit hokey to me at the time, but I have come to know it as an essential truth… Your message is similarly timeless and will add depth and breadth to all who take it in.
I have added Zen Habits to my blogroll and will be doing the same with Be More With Less. I look forward to further exploring the archives of both and sharing with my students.
Best,
TAOST
I’m about to do another I-haven’t-worn-you-for-a-year clothes throw out and I love the feeling. It’s so liberating to get rid of stuff. Sometimes I like to do very unlcuttered blog posts too. Like yesterday’s one, just a photo and a quote that so good that I really didn’t need to say anything else.