Small shift in plans

I have been shifting my focus from minimalism into purchasing new furniture. The reason for it is simple; by spending less on product I have a bigger budget to buy something nice. I was moving stuff around the house and little by little it got less cluttered and I saved spaces.

Two weeks ago, I finally ditched all my reusable and recyclable stuff to the thrift/recycle shop. I had an old huge desk monitor laying around and don't forget my printer. And the one thing I forgot to recycle is our VHS player. So with the printer out of the way I wanted to clear away the green shoe box.

I placed it into the kitchen and put some shoe in it. We have a habit to take our shoes off right in the kitchen so it's an excellent idea to use put the object there. I had those really cheap clothing closet for dormitory that I don't use anymore. I got it out of the storage and put 4 wheels on it and used it for lightweight storage underneath the computer table. It looks really nice and it's very easy to clean that spot.

The process to a minimalism lifestyle still continues in my everyday life but because of the decluttering, less stuff and more space, I get the change to improve the layout of the house. It's nice and remarkable what I have achieved these past two years.

Like yesterday while switching my winter clothing I had freed myself from two undergarment that I don't use anymore. Today while ironing I also donated an old pants where some threads are coming loose. There aren't mayor things happening in my life but I think that's alright cause sometimes no news is good news.

Watching Inspiring Video's

These last few days I have been watching conventions online. How to make make my life better and be happier. I watched seminars and short films to gain some ideas on how to attack my own problems. Like a new method of organizing right now and how to judge what I want and need. So sitting behind my pc and watching did gave me some inspiration. 

The attacking once method is something I already did before but it doesn't really work. I want the floor free of stuff. That is one of the criteria I find most important. I really like the floor clean. Even if things are getting out of control on my desk or bed at least I can still see the floor. 

Because of that one rule I don't find it really messy anymore, it doesn't mean I don't have to work on it. So it is nice to waste some time on the web for a clear purpose.

In between

It's not really sunny outside so I opted to use my light bulb. Last month I was busy with lessons that I cut corners in my routine. Not updating and cleaning up just slipped my mind. Well, actually not but I didn't feel like it. Of course I found out other new ways to be be a little bit productive but it wasn't so spectacular that I had to share immediately or even remember it now. 

Today I bought a small cover and a measurement booklet. The booklet is a gift for my nephews and the cover was just something I wanted and was reasonable priced. At home when I tried to put my tablet in it, it looks nice but I thought I don't have a special occasion to use it and I have to find two things to give away. I think I am going to return it, the receipt is well kept so that isn't going to be a problem. 

While I knew my lessons would screw up my schedule, it was nice to let things go for awhile. Cause last month was like I am in between  different worlds. It was exhausting but also fulfilling. I am grateful everything worked out eventually.

So my lessons are finished and now I only want to kick back, relax and watch a movie. I think I deserve that.

Too Bad 2 Bags

Last year I got two beautiful free bags. I love both of them.They are nice and the quality for these freebies are quite good. That's why I had an internal struggle which one to use in and around the house.

Maybe you find it strange using bags in your own home. But this is basically crucial in my life. I work wherever I go. Sometimes I sit in the living room on the sofa and sometimes behind my desk. It's essential to create the right vibe to create or find new ideas.

And there are times that I haven't put the stuff in their respectively 'home' but whenever I trow it in, I will not forget to do that. So here are the pro's and con's:

The Kellogg's  beach bag
+easy to take outside
+fits a lot
-attracts dust and hair
+easy to grab things out

The Eva shopper
+always standing
+sturdy plastic
+easy to clean
-it's huge, even with little stuff

All in all, I was already using the Eva to try it out but after moving everything in the beach bag it looks really alright until I took my black map out and everything went awry.

So, I think I stick with the standing shopper because it's easy to clean and it won't disfigure while standing on the floor.

Sometimes it's just not worth it

In an other post I already explained how I use my skincare products. How I try to squeeze every little bit out of it. Even cutting open a tube or something, I thought I would never trow away a half full bottle cause one exception will lead to another. In the end it means the rule I set up to declutter will be undone.

However, last week I was sitting on the sofa and saw a new cup with things in it. Yes, my needles, a pass, pen and my hand cream. This particularly hand cream is a from a decent brand but I don't really like the texture and the feeling on my skin. I bought it when it was on sale (one for free), of course a travel size because I need to try it out first. I already used up the first one in two years the other was in my black box sitting and waiting. I used it even if it's not fantastic but for one reason it landed in the cup.

I was looking at it and thought, I am not going to use it. It's not a fantastic product and around the house there are bottles or tubes with better cream in it. This is not needed in my life and has no donation value so it went straight in the bin. I think as a minimalist I need to find the right product that matches my needs.

Things that are just sitting there aren't needed. That's why sometimes it's not worth hanging onto it. Being a minimalist doesn't mean I have to be frugal but I do have to think about the joy and needs that a products fulfill. Something I dislike won't be used and only takes up space. In the long term it would mean a whole room of small useless stuff.

The crucial moment is when your ready to pay for it. Think about your needs and if it fulfills a useful purpose. In those moment when you know it's just not worth it, you know what to do.

Just a little bit courage

I'm getting there, the ultimate dream of mine, a real minimalistic lifestyle. Though I haven't done anything special lately. There are a lot of things happening in my life right now and taking the time, sitting down and jotting things down hasn't been my primarily goal. Healthy issues, family and study were all part of it.

It has calmed down a bit, the flu season isn't passing by and I just recovered from it thus making me kinda vulnerable to get hooked again with the virus. Spring Festival is nearing it's end and with that I got some decorations up. Remember that I don't do decorations at Christmas or any other festivity. All thanks to my nephew I put some paper decoration.

I needed a different strategy in getting rid of stuff. Yesterday, after shopping for three hours I didn't buy anything non-edible. So there aren't really things that are getting in the house, at least not things I have bought. The habit of trowing a half full plastic bag is a no-no but not anymore. The faster I say goodbye to the things in it the faster I forget it and won't feel the pain.

Why am I telling you this, because in the near future, before March I am going to say goodbye to my stuffed dolls. Yes, the hell that any girl or woman has to do in her life. Saying farewell to my friends, companions known and treasured for years. It's time, I have mentally prepared myself for this horrible task but the time has come. I have to at least reduce it by 50%. I need a lot of time and courage.

I am afraid that after looking at those cute dolls I can't let go. The dolls aren't expensive but the emotional value is huge. There are crying dolls, cuddle dolls and conversational dolls. All of them have a special meaning and helped me through times when I was bullied. The time to say goodbye to my stuffed dolls will be needed.

Thinking

My god, it has been ages that I have written something. The last few weeks I have been busy with learning and I got sick for awhile. Not really things I want to share or find interesting. I have more things to think about in the past month.

Like what do I really want to do and what does the blog add up in my life. Does the things I do add anything special in my life. Those kind of questions has been playing around in my head. It took some thinking and doubting yet I am still not totally clear on what I want.

What I am sure about is that minimalism is still going to be a part of my life. I will continue the journey towards: less consuming, more thinking and better investments. The best thing with it means more awareness towards a greener life and a healthier lifestyle.

Of course all those world news in January hasn't gone past my attention either but sometimes it's good to stand still, think about it and live life.