Minimizing Update

Since last fall's big closet purge, I have done quite a few mini purges. It's almost like a hobby now. I have cleared so much, that really I haven't bothered to blog it. Besides tackling my wardrobe, the rest of my stuff became fair game. Books, makeup and personal items, art supplies, you name it, everything came under the axe. Every category, every room or space. (Sold, donated, trashed.) Now I am working on computer and electronics streamlining. With a MacBook Air, iPhone, and Canon digital dsl camera, they all work together. Plus I don't waste any time looking for peripherals or trying to keep them all organized.

Simplifying and minimizing in general, has helped make life easier, as this year has brought on a lot of challenges. (Challenges I usually don't post all over the internets.) One example is more travel for family reasons instead of fun, for now. So having just what I really love instead a lot of things I kinda like, lets me get on with my day. Especially in the clothing department. I can now grab and go.

Also entertainment and shopping have to be considered. More cost effective ways to have fun, can be Netflix for movies and cooking dinner, free community events, and family visits when our schedules sync up. Also included, a gym membership. I consider it in this category, because when used often it is entertainment/social. And it's somewhere I should be anyway.

Normal shopping still has to be done, of course. That's where knowing what you need a few of, versus emergency supplies to stock up on, come in handy. I shop with purpose, instead of randomly grabbing stuff just because. There's more than enough room for what I need now, and may need later.

And finding the joy in discovering extra ways to earn money has been a recent hobby too. It's become easier for me to continue activities that add value to my life, and quit those that don't. (Minimizing) For example, I terminated membership on a freelance artist site whose leads (after about seven long months), never panned out. Relying on word-of-mouth or personal connections result in more work for me. I closed up all market research sites but two. That's means I will can focus on the ones that bring greater rewards, via products I like to promote and will use.

It looks like minimizing and organizing habits are here to stay with me. So the journey continues...

Have you ever considered living with less stuff? What would you get rid of first? What would you keep? I would like to know.