Most of us have heard of minimalism at this point, but most people don’t know that minimalism is not about having only a humble mattress and a functional floor lamp in your master bedroom. It’s not about depriving yourself of life’s simple joys and pleasures. On the contrary, living with less is about reclaiming your time and energy to focus on what’s truly important. It’s about understanding that everything you own is constantly having a conversation with you, which takes time and energy.
That dress you’ve kept from before your first pregnancy is saying, “Girl, I miss you too, but it’s time to let go. It’s time to love what is.” The jewelry collection you inherited from your grandma is screaming for attention, but your style doesn’t exactly vibe with yellow-toned pearls from the 1950s. And those skis you bought at a bargain years ago, thinking you’d pick up a new hobby after the kids got older, are just a dusty reminder of how physically inactive you feel and wish you weren’t.
Minimalism allows you to take back your time, energy, and freedom. No one knows this better than The Minimalists themselves, Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, New York Times-bestselling authors who inspire people across the globe to embrace living with less. They even created the 30-Day Minimalism Game, during which you get rid of one thing on day one, two things on day two, three things on day three, and so on. Listening to their podcast is a surefire way to get motivated and learn about the benefits of minimalist living.
Benefits of which local Annapolitan mother of three Erica Lucas is well aware. She shares weekly videos with tips on how to live a “minimalish” lifestyle on her YouTube channel, Slow and Simple Living. “I do not strive to have a home that is clean and tidy all the time. I strive to have a home that is easy to tidy and clean, and that’s a distinction that I needed,” she says in a video featuring habits she’s adopted for decluttering, organizing, and cleaning every week.
Whatever your approach, start with what works for you. Do you feel like you need some in-person support as you purge your hoarder’s haven? Contact any one of these home organizers in the Annapolis area.
For some, minimalism seems like a lackluster life without pleasure; for others, it is an unattainable fantasy, and for others still, an invaluable creed. But the benefits are known to all those who dare to explore even a minimalist way of life. Maybe it’s time to let minimalism free you and your family. Perhaps it’s time to go skiing.
Author: Liza Roe
Liza Roe is a writer and award-winning spoken word artist. You can find her book, “The Sober Poet” and her online video course, “Learning to Live an Amazing Alcohol-Free Life in 7 Simple Steps” at www.lizaroe.com. She currently lives in Annapolis with her dog and pet rabbit.
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