“In space cometh grace”—it’s one of my favorite quotes from the companion journal to my book (The Joy of Less Journal: Clear Your Inner Clutter).
As you may have discovered by now, minimalism isn’t just about having less stuff. You might start out by streamlining your socks, but the ultimate effect on your life can be nothing short of magical.
When we take control of our stuff, we gain the strength and confidence to take control of our lives. We’re able to let go of commitments, emotions, distractions, and situations that are weighing us down. Most importantly, we gain some glorious space—not just in our homes, but in our schedules, our minds, our hearts, our souls.
When we make space in our homes, we have less chaos and more calm. We have more room to relax with our families and pursue the activities we love. We stop wishing for a bigger house, and might even consider a smaller one.
When we make space in our schedules, we don’t let trivial to-do’s take over our lives. We focus on what’s important, so our efforts have impact. We stop rushing through life, and build in some time to appreciate the wonder of it.
When we make space in our minds, we free ourselves from fixed beliefs and embrace new perspectives. We dial back the distractions and think more clearly. To paraphrase Mary Oliver, we can ponder what we want to do with our one wild and precious life.
When we make space in our hearts, we open ourselves to others. We have more affection, empathy, and compassion for those around us. We recognize when special people cross our paths, and delight in the opportunity to make a deeper connection or a new friendship.
When we make space in our souls, we realize how wondrous it is to walk this earth. No matter what our religion, we realize we’re part of something greater. We feel more at peace with our fellow humans and more in harmony with the universe.
It’s pretty magnificent what a little decluttering can do.
So, I’d love to know: what has decluttering done for you?
If you’ve been with me on this blog for the long haul (9 years!), you know my story. My minimalist lifestyle enabled me to move to England, live in a tiny flat, travel the world, welcome a sweet baby girl, become a full-time writer, and move to the PNW.
And minimalism continues to serve me well. I’ve faced some personal challenges over the past year, and this philosophy gave me the clarity of mind to make difficult decisions, find the support I needed, and get through things as gracefully as I could.
I hope you’ll consider sharing your story in the Comments. In fact, let’s make it a giveaway—we haven’t done one of those in a while. And I owe you, my darling readers, for being so patient and understanding while I unplugged last summer and posted sporadically over the winter. I promise I haven’t been entirely unproductive—I’ve been writing the manuscript for my new book, due for release next year. :)
Leave a Comment below, and I’ll randomly choose two winners to receive The Joy of Less Journal. Tell me: how has minimalism given you more space, grace, or otherwise changed your life? Has it helped you pursue a passion? Move to a new home? Make a career change? Meet someone wonderful? I can’t wait to find out!
{Details: the giveaway will close at the end of Sunday, April 29. Please be sure to use a legitimate email address, so that I can contact you to obtain your mailing information. International readers: I love you and hope you’ll comment, but for legal reasons the giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.}
I am much more of a minimalist than my wife we are working on it and trying to work less and enjoy more but it’s hard we are both workaholics
well fiest i had a lot of stuff and going to get the rest gone im cleaning a lot of my stuff out
I was able to make a career change which I wasn’t able to do before.
Minimalism is helping me prioritize the important things in my life and let go of the unimportant ones.
I struggle with Minimalism – but have found it very rewarding with down sizing things we haven’t used in years to others in need. It is such an amazing feeling and worthwile teaching our children also.
I like to de-clutter.
Minimalism has given me hope that I do not have to live in the patterns of my childhood: items misplaced constantly; a mad dash to sweep everything into boxes before a party; buying replacements because you can’t find what you have; being late for everything because something is always lost, etc. I always knew I didn’t want to live like that again. Minimalism – or working toward it – has kept my own little family sane and has helped me to move down a different path from how I grew up. I’m so thankful that my little one will know a different childhood!
I never was much of a shopper.I had fewer clothes than anyone I knew in high school or college. We brought up our kids in a small house. We retired early on very small pensions and follow our hobbies. A friend and her husband get Social Security and feel so wealthy that when he picks up scrap metal off curbs and sells it, he sends the money to family members who are poorer.
It has made me understand how simplicity & owning or having less of everything gives peace of mind.
My neighbor gave me a suitcase she didn’t want because it was too small. I said I stored my winter clothes in small suitcases. She was amazed that I had so few clothes. When we travel, we each take a carry on and a small tote bag and that’s it. I just got rid of ten pairs of earrings because I bought 2 pairs.
Someone gave me a bag of yarn and ribbon. I rolled the ribbon around cardboard rectangles so I could store it flat. The small rolls of yarn are in a box. The skeins are going to a friend who knits and crochets. Pieces less than a foot long are with my papercrafting supplies for a class I am teaching this weekend.
I get garbage bags full of craft supplies free from friends who are moving. I keep the ten percent I will use in the next six months and pass on the rest to other crafters. Someone just offered me big bags of broken jewelry. I will keep what I can use and pass the rest to others. I know people who have rooms full of fabric, scrapbooking papers, and gift wrapping supplies. I teach 4-6 classes each year on upcycling used and/or broken objects to make flowers, holiday decorations and centerpieces. I was just asked to do 2 more this month.
I just gave away some house plants. Soon I will put my plants on the balcony for the summer. I have another stack of magazines to take to the library. Every day I find more to rehome. I just gave more summer clothes to the food pantry. I have a bag of my daughter ‘s old towels for the veterinarian. They are ratty looking around the edges and we have enough rags.