As most wives know, the best way to get your husband to do something is to make him think it was his idea in the first place. Many of you know that I am big fan of de-cluttering, but Mr. Handsome has always been reluctant to get on board with the idea. He just has a hard time letting go of stuff.
A few weeks ago, Mr. Handsome stayed up late with the baby while I got some much needed rest (he does this quite a bit, which is lovely). Right before heading to bed, I programmed Netflix to a show called “Minimalists: Less is Now.”
The next morning, I awoke to Mr. Handsome rummaging through the closet. “What are you doing, Honey?” I asked. “Oh nothing,” he replied. “I just watched this show last night on minimalism and am trying out the 30-day challenge. I am going to get rid of at least one item every day for the next month, and this sweater is looking like a great candidate to be removed.”
My plan had worked! I was shocked to see my husband showing excitement about de-cluttering.
What exactly is a minimalist? A minimalist is someone who doesn’t derive their self-worth from their material possessions. They try to live simply and only keep the possessions they either truly need or derive joy from. (I personally don’t get any joy from my toilet plunger, but it’s certainly a needed item.)
Minimalism is a response to the over-consumerism that is rampant in our society. We are constantly being pushed to spend more money to buy things we can’t afford to impress people we don’t like.
One rule of thumb when deciding whether to keep or get rid of something is “Have you used it in the past 90 days, or do you plan to use it in the next 90 days?” If the answer is no, then you can probably get rid of it. Of course, seasonal items and emergency supplies are an exception to this rule.
What are your views on minimalism?
Mr. Handsome and I are by no means true minimalists. One look at our toy collection or our garage will tell you that. But like most people, we could use to de-clutter, especially after the holidays. So for the next thirty days, Mr. Handsome and I will try to get rid of at least one item every day and see what happens. Would any of you like to join in the challenge with us?
Anonymous
After living a long life of non-minimalism I can tell you that minimalism won’t work for everyone. We do tons of projects around the house and need that packed garage. I can’t count the number of times we’ve needed a spare part or “one more piece of ____” (plastic, metal, wood, tubing, wire, mesh, you name it) to finish a project. Finding it immediately in the garage sure beats having to drop everything, get in the car, burn gas, and drive to the hardware store where you hope they have what you need in stock. Our books, our hobby items, our household items, our clothes, our items for entertaining – none of those would be candidates for your challenge. You never know when you’re going to need something. Your toys will come in handy now that you have 2 boys. Some of my clothes and shoes (boots especially) are over 20 years old and still going strong. Nope, not parting with stuff, not unless it’s broken and can’t be repaired. Have fun with your challenge but to me, it’s only another mind game and not very practical.
Diana
Growing up with parents who save everything, moving often, and having a strong dislike of clutter has made both my husband and I minimalists! Our attic only has seasonal items and children’s clothes to grow into. Our basement is for things that can’t fit in the garage, such as lawn things. We purge the rooms of excess items yearly. It’s a great feeling to declutter!
Anonymous
Why is there a dead fish photo with this post? Is your house cluttered with dead fish?
Ellie
Oops, totally forgot to explain the fish. It’s not a live fish, just a fiberglass replica of one. It’s something we are planning to purge, although Mr. H is having a hard time parting with it, LOL.
Eileen
This is an easy challenge for me to take on! Like you, I do not like clutter. I think there is a difference between clutter and lots of items. Your paragraph about buying what we don’t need to impress people we don’t like had me chuckling. We have lots of reno materials but keep them well organised and ready for use. We know where to find what we need for any given project, lots of tools and materials. At the same time we had boxes of old papers from when everything came by paper, gloves missing it’s other half, worn out shoes and boots that were not even donation worthy, kitchen containers missing a lid, t-shirts for painting projects that even paint doesn’t want to see again and on!! We did a very big clean out of all of this clutter 2 years ago. We also donated furniture that just was of no use to us after downsizing: too big, too much or unusable in a new space. All in shape and welcomed by lots of others at our local donate centre. Two yrs later, it is time to again just get the clutter gone! Such a good time of yr as well. Spring just gets me energised for this type of task! Good luck Ellie! I will be joining in!
Anonymous
I like to de-clutter, less is best. As I’m cleaning or organizing and come across something I don’t need I’ll put in the trunk of my car.. Later I’ll drop the things off at one of the thriffstores in my town.
Justine
Hey Ellie Does, Mr Handsome feel Gill-Ty about fishing, but I know it is a-luring hobbie, OK I am fin-nish with my Fish-puns, but I did scale it down a line or 2!!!!!!!!!
Ellie
Haha!
T. L.
We do “the great purge” yearly and little clean outs each season. We move frequently with work so most things we own pack down into rolling totes. About 10 years ago we agreed to not buy anything that doesn’t fit into those. There are exceptions of course but we don’t buy things just because they might be on sale. Clutter takes a lot of work to keep tidy, when I have less things strung everywhere I am happier and less overwhelmed. 🙂
Mary T.
Yes! I definitely welcome this challenge! I am really bad at doing regular decluttering and organizing. After living in a really small house for twenty years, I desperately need to make changes. Thank you for motivating me to get busy.
Anonymous
🙋♀️I’m in! 5.5 weeks until my due date and deep into nesting. I have been getting rid of things on the daily, this will motivate me to keep going. Am I only allowed one item each day? 😄
Ellie
LOL, you’re definitely allowed more than one item a day!