Dear friends,
Last year I removed our vast collection of vases from the cabinet, removed the pieces that no longer “sparked joy” as tidying guru Marie Kondo recommends, and reduced the number by more than half.
Empty spaces in a cabinet? Believe me, this was a whole new concept for me. But what used to be a jam-packed source of stress is now a half-empty source of peace.
This weekend’s challenge is about clearing space to create a more comfortable, peaceful home. I love the William Morris quote above, and while our family has a long way to go with decluttering I am aiming for a simpler home with just a few special objects.
When we’re happy at home, we’re usually not as tempted to spend money. So the more comfortable and appealing we can make our “nests,” the more settled and content we’ll be.
Along with the inner peace that comes from working and living in a pleasant uncluttered space, organized living means we’ll spend less time looking for lost items and more time enjoying a visually pleasing, harmonious environment.
A Weekend Challenge
In the coming days if you’re in the mood, spend a little time spiffing up, cleaning, and decluttering one area in your home. It can be a small or big project, depending on how much time you want to devote to it.
Perhaps you want to spend some time making your bedroom nice, so that it feels like an oasis of calm at the end of the day. Or you could get rid of unnecessary papers and clean the kitchen counter until it sparkles. Or spend thirty minutes organizing the medicine cabinet.
You could clean out your refrigerator and wipe down the shelves. Or unclutter the coat closet. Tackle one wall of the garage. Spend the afternoon straightening up the basement. It’s up to you. Just organize one spot, and bask in the satisfaction of a nice, clear space and a more peaceful home.
A Note About Family Members
Some of us may be in a season of our lives when we have little kids or family members who don’t share our zeal for clearing things out. I know it can feel a little discouraging to live in an untidy space. Sometimes we may have to focus on just the places we can control right now. But perhaps you can work on straightening your desk, or organizing your side of the closet, or making space in your dresser drawers, or neatening your shop area in the garage. Try to create a secret space of calm just for you.
Share Your Success!
If you tidy up a space, we’d love to hear about your project over at the January Money Diet Community Facebook Group. And if you’re tired and you just feel like relaxing, by all means do that. Enjoy the weekend, and we’ll tackle a new challenge together on Monday.
Best always,
P.S. If you use Pinterest to save ideas, here’s a pin linked to this article:
I love these tips! I would also suggest spending a little time cleaning the air conditioners filters in your home as well as the air ducts. This may seem time-consuming, but it’s important for your health. Dirty HVAC system filters are often the cause of poor air quality in homes, which can cause respiratory diseases, headaches, and even heart problems.