How decluttering changed my life

If you haven't touched it in six months let it find a home with someone else.

How many of us are still holding on things or clothing that we have not worn in over 6 months? Maybe with the thought of "I'll save it for when I fit into it" or "I'll save it for a special occasion."

Letting go...

“Simplicity if the ultimate sophistication.”

I think the hardest thing for me was looking at things that I had when I still had my house in Maryland. with my beloved and my beautiful fur baby. Those are simply memories and times in my life I was not ready to let go out. However, the reality is.... I don't have to let go of those memories. I had to come to terms with the fact that those things were not the "end all, be all" of that time in my life. Those things were just that, things. They held no weight to the memories I created, carried and held in my heart. It was difficult to realize this and even harder to accept that the changes I had gone through shaped me into the "new Bev" or "Bev 2.0" that I am today...and I must say, this is my favorite version so far.

Allow yourself to purchase new things:

I was so adamant about not buying new things... I am not quite sure why lol. I just new I did not want to replace the things I bought, not realizing that I bought those things in that moment in time, however I'm not living in that moment anymore. I'm in this moment and in this moment I am different, I am not the same Bev from before. Wether I was trying to save money or hold on to things for a future plan, I had to realize that I am in a different chapter and that it is okay to purchase things to cater to this version of Bev, in this chapter of my life. It's okay to purchase new things! Now, I'm not saying order something new from amazon everyday or repetitive things, what I am saying is that it is okay to throw away that old radio speaker and buy a waterproof bluetooth one to take on your new aquatic hobbies. Purchase things that cater to the version and chapter of your life you are in now. Keep in mind to balance your purchases with the amount of things you throw away. The idea is to only own things you absolutely need and use on a daily basis.

The Decision to Start living as a minmalist

“Clutter is nothing more than postponed decisions”

I had a friend tell me once that it was important to do away with old things because you bring the energy of that object into your new space and that really stuck with me. See I was moving into a new space and I had brought with me all the boxes of paper, clothing I hadn't worn in years, those little "recuerdos" or keep safes you get at baby showers, weddings, quincienersas etc... she asked "Bev why are you holding on to this stuff?" I told her for the memories, and her response was "so keeping them in this box tucked away taking up space, reminds you of those moments? Those memories are in your mind and in your heart love." She had a point. Not to mention some of those memories weren't all pleasant and I was bringing all those energies with me every time I moved into a new space. It was time to make a change.

Tips to get started:

• Sit with yourself and think deeply as to why you are holding on to all the things you have, be brutality honest with yourself and decide wether those reasons a valid enough to keep holding on to these things.

• Start off by putting the things you do not use in bags and tuck them away- jot down the date and if you have not touched those bags in 6 months YOU DO NOT NEED THOSE ITEMS

• Pack things up to donate- giving back aways feels good

• Set rules for minimalism

• Start with a clean slate ...some things are just junk

• Use it or Lose it (keep this mindset)

• Remind yourself that someone who really needs that item will give it a new home, if you plan to donate

• Organize by category

• Ask yourself the hard questions...

• Minimize space

• Bring in less