steeped in simplifying

A few years ago, I got a job as an organizer. Simplifying was part of the process, but buying + sorting into bins + baskets felt like the main focus. I get it. Finding new things is fun. Buying new things is fun. Having new things is fun. Storing + caring for things becomes more + more of a burden over time though. 

In my opinion, honest organizing is steeped in simplifying. Unless we want to have to keep buying more shelving + bigger houses + more storage units...we actually want to see our current spaces as friendly boundaries to our accumulation.

Sometimes, when I know I will be tempted to overeat, I picture an appropriate amount of food on a small plate. Then I picture the size of my stomach + am aware that this small plate of food will surely be adequate to fill my stomach. The same concept can work for thinking through the size of my person + how big of a space should be enough to contain me + my things. We have to do this re-minding ourselves, because most of the input we get out there is not prompting us in this direction.

A few simplifying thoughts are coming to mind as I'm going about cleaning + reorganizing this week:

• choosing how I want things to be :: I started with a catch-all drawer. Everything came out + the drawer was wiped clean. I decided to only put back the things that I actually want to keep in that drawer. A pair of binoculars, a bird book, matches + a few refill candles made the cut. Everything else belongs elsewhere in the house (or not).

• contemplating what I need (versus what is nice to have) :: Some things probably need to leave my house. If things aren't fitting into drawers, cupboards or closets, I either need less stuff or more storage. I'm not opposed to a new shelf or basket. I just take seriously the commitment to maintaining (paying for, committing space to, dusting, organizing + someday moving or finding another home for) another thing. 

• simplifying systems :: I can often discover ways to buy + maintain less by rethinking my systems. We no longer buy hand soap, because we can just use dish soap on our hands. I don't have a set of measuring cups, because I can use the two-cup measuring cup for both wet + dry measuring. (It works for us.) I don't need lots of different lotions + potions. I use one product as a make-up remover, cleanser + moisturizer. Each one of these changes frees up space in my cupboards.
• experimenting :: I like to do experiments with what I already have to see if simpler systems might work. Often my experiments just involve putting something aside for a little while. I write down some questions to answer at a certain time, check back in + make changes. Fun.  :)
• doing the work :: Simplifying might involve some effort. My partner recently ended up doing a sort of overhaul of his small pants collection. Durability + comfort had become an issue worthy of the work (giving feedback to a brand, listing some for resale, removing wrecked ones from his shelf, shopping for new ones). He'll end up with fewer pants that will function better. 
• letting go of more than stuff :: Letting go of comparison + envy is easier said than done, and I am constantly working through it. I know that it is an important part of this whole thing though. I am unique! I have the freedom to see my life as beautiful!
• becoming someone who loves simplicity :: If we don't change our habits, our newly organized spaces will never stay organized for long. Just decide to be a person who sees the beauty in simplicity. Don't see it as a sacrifice. Let's really look around + see how we are living well + beautifully in our friendly boundaries...how we have space to move...how there is a place for the tools of daily living...how we are living with more freedom + joy.
• living simply :: Let's eat the whole foods we bought, take walks, put things back in their places, do the laundry + the dishes, spend time with friends, read books. Life is beautiful. Live.

​Love,
Jane