The Minimalizing Project

Project 1: Simplifying life with a family: Less offers more. 

Photo by the author. All the extras are out. It still seems like a lot, right? But the donation bag had even more. It’s undoubtedly a work in progress — but now I actually feel like preparing tea. Plastic cups are done for us (even if BPA-free), but I didn’t want to waste them. Once I work through more small storage bins, I’ll make it more pretty. But for now, I’ll call it good enough. 

Minimalizing feels more mental than physical at times. 

Letting go of our possessions isn’t easy. We all know stuff doesn’t define who we are, but it sure seems like it at times. Objects offer security, a barrier — ensuring to ourselves and others we’re worthy.

When we begin minimizing our life, it often reveals just how much reassurance our possessions have provided. We’re left standing alone with the bare truth of me, myself, and I being enough. 

To feel confidence simply in who we are as a person.

One of the best side perks of minimalizing is the realization that we’re more than enough — with or without the designer bag. 

I tend to jump into most things and ask questions later. Knowing this about myself, I’m purposely starting our minimalizing project with a plan and an intentional easy-going mindset. 

This is something I’m doing alongside everything else. Incorporating it into our days rather than letting it consume our every free moment — which undoubtedly would end up overwhelming me. 

As much as I’d love to have this over and done in a month or two, it’s a process.

This is especially true when we’re minimalizing with a family — big or small. It takes time to sort through our belongings and decide what matters most.

Minimalism is subjective — only we know what’s just right for us.

I can set the example, but when it comes to their stuff, they’ll decide what stays and goes. Though, I’m fairly certain I will have a rougher time of this than them. 

Before I began this project, I decided I needed to set up some ground rules.

“The hardest mountain to climb is the one within.” —  J. Lynn

Ground rules for our minimalizing project 

• If a particular project takes longer than anticipated, I won’t feel like I failed.

• Remember to focus on how much I accomplish— not on how little.

• Start easy — until I’ve built more mental strength

• This isn’t a race or contest. Enjoy the entire process —  not just the end result. 

• This is a time for our family to connect and build our most optimal environment. It’s a blessing, not a chore. 

• Less truly is more. 

• I am more than enough without all the extras.

• Track progress weekly, acknowledge wins, and see if there’s something we can improve. (Tracking boosts performance). 

• I will not be driven crazy or embarrassed by our accumulating and ongoing sorting piles. They’re there for a reason. 

• There are only 3 options for the sorted piles. Garbage. Donation. Keep. That’s it. Find a permanent place for all kept items. No holding on to anything because you just never know….

Easy right? 

I’ll be pinning these ground rules to the family bulletin board for a gentle daily reminder and accountability (my kids have perfected the holding me accountable part). 

Though I do have a relatively easy time staying focused — that doesn’t concern me too much. Once I’m inspired, I’m typically all in. 

My downfall is usually in setting unrealistic standards. I tend to minimize the time needed and overestimate my capability. And when and if I don’t meet those expectations, I start feeling defeated. 

Knowledge is power, though. 

I’m now a firm believer in starting almost everything easy — exercise, diet changes, habits, etc.

We can always add more once we’ve built a bit of momentum.

Which is why I’m aiming for slow, steady, and easy. I want to enjoy the process, and it’s tougher to do on a rigid schedule. 

My goal was and is to have a clutter-free home that contains our needs and a few wants. 

Beyond that, everything else goes to donation, a designated area, or the garbage. 

For our first minimalizing project, I chose the tea cupboard. 

Herbal tea is one of my favorite things. It’s calming and soothing while offering our body many healing and health benefits. And because I’m not attached emotionally, it doesn’t get much easier. 

I’m keeping what I love and will use. The rest is being donated.  

My tea cupboard was looking pretty sad. Instead of inspiring me to drink more tea, I found myself avoiding it — out of sight, out of mind. The cupboard had become the go-to for stuffing items nobody knew what to do with. 

Extra keys, coins, manuals, super glue, screws, etc. 

It’s the perfect place to start, really. Our family spends much time in the kitchen —it’s a room for coming together, a place we all feel good.

It’s our first small step toward an incredible new beginning.

Next project: Renting a Uhaul for the storage garage we filled with stuff from our old home —  more than 15 years ago. We made three levels out of metal shelving and plywood in the 30 ft high garage to accommodate everything. We managed to fill it to the top. 

Did I mention this was going to be a process?