Six years ago we were knee deep in college and two littles in a tiny apartment. I felt like I was drowning in sleepless nights, postpartum depression, homework, and Covid was just starting. Life felt really hard and dark during that time.
Thankfully God gave me small steps to take to make it through. I was led to eat healthier, exercise more, and declutter.
I had never heard of minimalism till then. Looking around the apartment it was no wonder I was drawn to it. There were toys all over the little living room, laundry piled high, a crowded kitchen/dining area. Despite the small space I felt like I couldn’t keep it clean while trying to raise two little ones and finish school.
I don’t know how I first found the minimalist idea, maybe on Pinterest or YouTube. But I do remember going down the rabbit hole and consuming everything I could possibly find about decluttering and minimalist living. However, it was difficult to find anything related to being a mother.
That was until I found Dawn the Minimal Mom on YouTube and Natalie Bennett. Their approaches to minimalism was so related because they knew what it was like to try and declutter with many others in the house.
See, Minimalism is actually really easy if it’s just you or maybe you and spouse. But once you add kids into the mix, it’s a whole new level of difficult. There’s toys, baby gear, sentimental items and clothes, and other’s opinions.
To be fair, decluttering the toys when the boys were too young to notice and care was quite easy. Now that my kids are grown it can be more of a challenge, but I’ve learned a few tricks about that you can read here.
So, after my rabbit hole experience I started to implement what I learned. I got rid of toys my kids didn’t play with. I donated kitchen items we never used. I threw out clothes that didn’t fit my postpartum body. And I just kept going.
It was hard at first, I won’t sugar coat it. There’s a lot of emotions to go through but it’s been worth overcoming it. Now I declutter without much thought. Toys that are broken? Straight to the trash. Clothes that don’t fit my now body? Donate. Household decorations that never get used? Passed on.
Why?
Because I love the feel of my home when it’s not cluttered. I love the calm I feel when I’m not stressed trying to keep my house orderly. Organizing is fun and things stay organized because there’s space for them. My kid’s rooms stay clean and manageable. I’m not worried when people come to my house. And a less stressed mom makes the whole family feel safe and calm.
So I will keep decluttering my home, always and forever. Because things come into the home, it’s just part of life. But as things come some must go. You can read more about my thoughts on minimalism in the posts below:
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