Reflection on minimalism


It is interesting as I have started working on my closet, I immediately want to organize and tackle other spaces in our living space. For me, there is something that goes hand in hand with space and self. I am heavily impacted by my environment and when my husband and I both looked around and decided what surrounds us isn't us anymore, we decided it was time to make some changes.

I have frequently been an all or nothing type of girl so for the last few days I decided to be more drastic and bag it up or sell it. Currently I have 5+ bags of stuff to take to goodwill, we have sold most of our furniture on craigslist and our home sits rather bare and minimal but I quite like it. I am reflecting, reorganizing and rebuilding and it seems like this concept is also flooding into other areas of my life right now. It is a vulnerable place to be not surrounded by stuff/furniture and an empty living and family room, and less clothes in my closet but I am okay with it for now. I am working on transformation in many areas of my life. Stay tuned for tweaks and experiments here too.

(Photo from ODOS Architects)

21 comments:

fleur_delicious said...

how intriguing - to just up and sell your furniture and clothes like that! Are there other things afoot?

fleur_delicious said...

how intriguing - to just up and sell your furniture and clothes like that! Are there other things afoot?

Eva / Sycamore Street Press said...

This is exciting! I love stuff like this and at the same time have a really hard time doing it for myself. I fantasize about being able to, actually. Ha ha. Good luck with all your changes, Rachel. Hope I get to see you again soon! :)

Victoria said...

You might be interested in this article from the New York Times awhile back. It has certainly inspired me! I'd be interested in your thoughts.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/08/business/08consume.html?_r=2&src=me&ref=homepage

Unknown said...

We just went through a similar process at our place, since we are about to get married (and have already lived together for 5 years) we thought it would be nice to have a newly decorated and cleansed home. It feels good and energising.

Lesli said...

I find having less stuff around me calming - my last apartment was full of things I never used and had completely forgotten about. One great way to curb spending money at the Dollarama is to send bags of $1 and $2 items to the Goodwill! Now I get antsy if I don't do a purge every 6 months or so, and try to adhere to the idea from William Morris: Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.

It simplifies life 100%

DEY said...

it's addicting isn't it? I have been going through a purging spree lately..every week I seem to take a big ol bag of stuff to the Goodwill and you know what? It feels soooo freeing. A friend's house recently burnt down with everything she owns and she had the most amazing reaction: "I feel so free without any of that stuff. I can start fresh again." Seriously. There is something to be said about a clean slate.

Chandana said...

I love minimalistic spaces... looking forward to more of your experiments!

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Hannah said...

Clearing stuff out makes you feel so much better! It is addicting. It makes you wonder why you bought/ kept it all in the first place!

Cas said...

speaking my language. love it :) doesn't it feel refreshing?

"have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful." - william morris

Sweet Freak said...

I am impressed and jealous. I need a good purge, and a rethink on both home and wardrobe... and I love the idea of "space and self" going hand in hand.

dandee said...

We are on the same wave length, Rachel. I have been known to be ruthless when it comes to purging and just this week have made a list of spaces to tackle. Next up on the list? My closet. Wish me luck!

sarah@boxwoodclippings said...

A good clutter detox is so rewarding, I think the warmer winter has brought it on a bit earlier this year for me. Keep us tuned on your progress, can't wait to see!

Bonnie McCarthy said...

Inspiring!

Gabriella said...

That sounds really inspiring! Good luck with the minimalizing.

JASR said...

a clean environment, just like an clean sheet of paper, pumps up ideas for new endeavors... good luck ms rachel! =)

Andrea @ Strawberry Chic said...

I just went through every room in my house and did some major de-cluttering! I took a pretty massive load over to the Goodwill and it felt great! You should definitely post some pics of the new furniture you get :)

Smith And Ratliff said...

I recently made Laura go through her nearly overflowing closet and take out the things she hadn't worn in over a year. What a large pile. -RS

wedding dress said...

It must be very great to do this....

Jamie said...

I hear ya. I'm at a point where I just want to see walls. Blank walls. And nothing on the floor. I want to see the walls hit the floor...but there are books and shelves and chairs and stuff in the way. Have fun at the goodwill!!

Julian | sofas piel said...

His way of presenting the cabinet and its vast amount of clothing must be great or at least it seems.

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