As a busy gal managing the household, family activities, farm chores, and other daily responsibilities, a clutter-filled home was the last thing I wanted to walk into. As I have shared before, the chaos around me not only filled my space but also weighed heavily on my mind, hindering my peace. So, we made a choice: to embrace minimalism and take positive action!
Decluttering used to seem like a daunting task requiring a whole week of nothing else on the calendar and assisted by a team of helpers. However, once I got started it was enjoyable and went quicker than I thought. A space with minimal clutter creates a more calming environment where my little family can thrive; the more I cleared out and experienced the load of stress lifting, the more motivated I became. A tidy home helps us focus more on the important things—family conversations, playing games, cooking while hanging out, and truly enjoying each other's company! With this awareness, I created a structured approach that focused not just on tidying up, but on genuinely reducing the excess items we had collected over time. Here, I will share the six simple steps I took to reduce the clutter in the common areas of our home. For us, that would be our family room and dining area. You too can create a space that promotes peace and tranquility!
We were never meant to live life accumulating stuff. We were meant to live simply enjoying the experiences of life, the people of life, and the journey of life - not the things of life. ~Joshua Becker
1. Start with a vision.
Before I opened my first drawer or closet, I took a minute to visualize how serene I wanted our space to be. I no longer wanted distractions greeting me in every room. This clear vision kept me motivated throughout the process. I pictured a cozy living room with few yet meaningful decorations and a dining area with minimal furniture; both spaces require plants all around, of course! Plants help me to feel rejuvenated and grounded at the same time. This simple exercise helped me maintain focus on my goals and is something I strongly recommend to anyone that feels overwhelmed.
2. Declutter room by room.
One of the most effective strategies I started with was tackling the common areas one at a time. Instead of overwhelming myself with the entire space, I focused on smaller sections. Starting with the family room, I removed everything from the horizontal surfaces and sorted items into the three categories: keep, donate, and trash. Then, I cleared out any cabinets or drawers and divided them into the same categories. This strategy not only allowed me to transform spaces one at a time, but it also gave me a sense of accomplishment with each completed room. Once done in the family room, I moved on to the dining area and did the same exact thing. When you’re able to donate, that feels good too. When I cleared out the living room, we were able to donate two large bags of pillows and blankets and other little trinkets to a local non-profit group, so clearing up some space and helping others at the same time...winning!
3. Relocate items to their proper place and simplify furniture.
In my article about minimizing in the restrooms, I shared that I knew I needed functional storage solutions, but that doesn’t mean that we should keep items in that space that don’t belong there. There is no reason to create storage space for items that don’t belong. All you’d be doing is enabling a bad habit of not putting things where they should be kept. For example, the kids’ books should be in their rooms, not stacked in the family room or shoved in the TV console. Shoes belong in their respective closets, not in the middle of the floor. Clearing what doesn’t belong helps free up so much space! An attractive storage basket that matched my decor and offered a much-needed place for our blankets was simple and perfect. A coffee table with a small shelf underneath it for a place to put paper and pencils for homework time with our son does the trick. A simple TV console houses the electronics only. In the dining area we have a dining table, chairs, and one small, decorative cabinet. That’s all we need! We chose not to add any more furniture with shelving or cabinets to avoid collecting more items that we don’t need. This prevents us from having hidden spaces that end up full of clutter. All the rest of the items that were in these spaces were moved to where they belong. This combined approach preserved visual appeal without sacrificing functionality, allowing us to enjoy our space more.
4. Create easy maintenance routines.
Once our decluttering efforts were well underway, I found that maintaining our new level of tidiness is crucial. To prevent clutter from accumulating again and being back in an overwhelming state, I established a simple maintenance routine. So, definitely involve the family! Decluttering doesn't have to be a solitary task. Involving my kids made the process more enjoyable and taught them responsibility for our shared space. We implemented a rule: the kids and I pick up any items that don’t belong in the common areas every day after school and we tidy up the space while we're at it. This small commitment ensures that we all participate in keeping our shared spaces manageable and tidy.
Minimalism doesn't mean always tidy, it just means easily tidied. ~Rachelle Crawford
5. Practice mindful purchasing.
A vital lesson I learned on this journey to minimalism was to emphasize quality over quantity. Instead of buying several items to fill spaces, I became more intentional with my purchases. Now, I focus on well-made items I truly love and that serve a purpose. By doing this, I have reduced the temptation to clutter my home. This mindset shift has greatly improved my shopping habits, something my husband greatly appreciates too! In alignment with minimalism, thus began the practice of mindful purchasing. Now, I regularly ask myself if an item will genuinely add value to our lives. Posing questions like, “Does our son need another toy?”, “Do we need more decorative pieces for the table?”, or “If I didn’t have this, what could I use?”. Using questions like that to guide my decisions, and by being intentional, I discovered I made fewer purchases. This change led to a significant reduction in clutter over time.
6. Celebrate your progress.
Finally, celebrating your progress is essential! After decluttering a room, I like to do a little happy dance and express gratitude for the peaceful space we created together. This practice reinforces the positive outcome of decluttering and encourages my family to keep contributing to this new lifestyle.
Embracing minimalism and clearing clutter within the common areas has transformed our home. Each small step is helping to create lasting improvements, allowing me to maintain a peaceful home environment amidst our hectic schedules. Keep in mind, decluttering should not feel overwhelming…by starting small, creating a vision, and involving your family, you can transform your homes spaces into little havens of peace. When you embrace minimalism, you not only make room for special items, but also for experiences that bring genuine joy and connection.
So, take that first small step! Start your journey towards creating spaces that fill you with peace today and please share in the comments how it's going. Would love to hear about your own journey to minimalism!
Sending each of you loads of Love & Light,
~Cassie
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