Let’s be honest. Life is more expensive and saving money is difficult. Everything is pricey. Price shopping is the norm. It’s hard to resist a good deal or bargain. Bargain shopping is fun. It feels great. Sometimes, we regret the purchase. Sometimes it works out great. It depends. With this said, it’s easy to accumulate too much stuff we don’t need or want. It starts simply. We don’t pay attention to what we buy, and over time our closets get full. Our homes fill up. It doesn’t happen over night. It happens over a long period of time. Then, all of a sudden, we are overwhelmed with too much stuff, and don’t know what to do next. Does this sound familiar? If it does, you are not alone. The good news is we can fix it.
Assessing your belongings: Do you have too much stuff?
Take stock of what you have and learn to recognize clutter. Figure out what you have. Look around your home. Make a list of all the things you must keep, and a second list of all the items you no longer need or use. For items you want to keep, consider what home storage options you have. Patricia Marx wrote an article in the New Yorker about how to get rid of almost everything. Her advice is “to thank and say goodbye to items you no longer want or spark you, and make a plan to get rid of them. With that said, this process will take some time to do. Be patient. Start small. And try not to boil the ocean. Remember simplicity is essential.
Finding joy in what you have
Joy is defined by living with happiness and pleasure. There is a wide body of research that suggests living with joy or living a joyful existence boosts our immune systems, fights stress and improves our quality of life. Some researchers believe it is the key to longevity. Some people find more joy by living with less. With this said, minimalism, or only having what you need, is a growing trend today — own less, live more. It’s a personal choice how you spend your money, and what you buy. The ultimate goal is to find more joy in what you already have and this will take time. Consider experiences or indulging in simple luxury.
The art of letting go
It feels wonderful to declutter, organize and clear more space in your home. For many of us, it’s a matter of coming to terms with our feelings about our personal items. Sometimes it’s hard to let go of things. Ask yourself if you are holding on to something in your home you no longer want or need? It could be anything – furniture, jewelry, or personal items. Find the courage to let go of personal items that clutter your home, don’t serve a purpose or you just no longer like.
Assess every purchase you make
At storella, our goal is to help you simplify home storage. It’s hard to part with personal items that have an emotional connection. You may not have the capacity or energy today to declutter. That’s okay. What we can suggest and recommend to you is to evaluate everything you buy. Buy things you need. Your budget will thank you, and you’ll feel more in control of your life and money.
Embrace a more joyful home. You’ll find things easily, have more time, not waste money on stuff you don’t need, and live better.
