So good to hear from you and I absolutely loved your article!
You definitely made many good points, but hey, again it is always good to have an open mind to hear from others who are traveling on the same journey, but in different ways, etc.
Your story reminds me of a two-episode Hoarders on a woman who was hoarding herself and her husband out of the house. Peter Walsh was in the show. I saw how desperate her family was and reached out to Hoarders for help. The mother struggled, but eventually listened to her family and chose them over the stuff.
I appreciate that you offered straight talk about the benefits of minimalism, instead of pretending it will automatically transform one's daily life into a haze of rainbows and ponies. Good article. Thank you!
Would love to see photos of your place. So fascinating. I'm with you, I can not wait to downsize my life. I have to wait for my 3 young adult men to leave the nest, and get my husband on board (or downsize him :))), but I am already purging, recycling, donating many of my own items to relieve some stress in my life.
Nice. Enjoyed reading your article and love the idea of minimizing. I keep trying to get rid of things but my husband loves his “stuff”. Especially in the garage, attic and basement. It literally makes me queasy lol. So I focus on what I can get rid of and call it a day. Today I shredded bills and bank statements, etc. Tomorrow I will go through all the plastic food containers! ;)
I find bags to be more flexible and mobile versus boxes or totes. Plus everything is in one place instead of scattered around the house. For example, I have a duffle bag for clothes, a home repair bag for tools, spare lightbulbs, duct tape, hooks, screw, etc., a backpack for my laptop, chargers, notebooks, pens. Basically any category of similar items have designated bag.
Of course, this doesn't make sense for a lot of things. You're not going to put a coffee maker or toaster in a bag :)
I have too much stuff, but I am downsizing regularly. Bags probably wouldn't work for me. As someone with diagnosed ADD, I need to see things, so clear bins or open shelves work better for me. Out of sight, out of mind, literally! I enjoyed the article.
Great piece, Barry. I smiled at the closing of the closet to contain stuff shoved inside. Totally did that. My dad also left behind a car parked in the garage he intended to work on some day. That day never came. My mom also sadly left behind a sewing room that never actually was used for any sort of hobby, but just junk storage. Thanks for sharing! I found this through my "Inspiring Simplicity. Weekend Reads." from Becoming Minimalist.
Big hello, Barry.
So good to hear from you and I absolutely loved your article!
You definitely made many good points, but hey, again it is always good to have an open mind to hear from others who are traveling on the same journey, but in different ways, etc.
Your story reminds me of a two-episode Hoarders on a woman who was hoarding herself and her husband out of the house. Peter Walsh was in the show. I saw how desperate her family was and reached out to Hoarders for help. The mother struggled, but eventually listened to her family and chose them over the stuff.
Thanks again for writing!
Thanks too for making my day definitely.
Have a blessed week!!!!
From Bonnie
I appreciate that you offered straight talk about the benefits of minimalism, instead of pretending it will automatically transform one's daily life into a haze of rainbows and ponies. Good article. Thank you!
"rainbows and ponies." Haha. Thank you for reading.
Such a great little piece. Thank you for sharing. Its a great perspective.
Glad you enjoyed it :)
Would love to see photos of your place. So fascinating. I'm with you, I can not wait to downsize my life. I have to wait for my 3 young adult men to leave the nest, and get my husband on board (or downsize him :))), but I am already purging, recycling, donating many of my own items to relieve some stress in my life.
You'll get there :)
Nice. Enjoyed reading your article and love the idea of minimizing. I keep trying to get rid of things but my husband loves his “stuff”. Especially in the garage, attic and basement. It literally makes me queasy lol. So I focus on what I can get rid of and call it a day. Today I shredded bills and bank statements, etc. Tomorrow I will go through all the plastic food containers! ;)
Spouses are certainly a challenge!! Good luck and thanks for the kind words.
Thank you Barry! Love it!🙏
Thanks Scott! Glad you liked it.
Just curious. How does one organize "in bags?"
I find bags to be more flexible and mobile versus boxes or totes. Plus everything is in one place instead of scattered around the house. For example, I have a duffle bag for clothes, a home repair bag for tools, spare lightbulbs, duct tape, hooks, screw, etc., a backpack for my laptop, chargers, notebooks, pens. Basically any category of similar items have designated bag.
Of course, this doesn't make sense for a lot of things. You're not going to put a coffee maker or toaster in a bag :)
I have too much stuff, but I am downsizing regularly. Bags probably wouldn't work for me. As someone with diagnosed ADD, I need to see things, so clear bins or open shelves work better for me. Out of sight, out of mind, literally! I enjoyed the article.
Great piece, Barry. I smiled at the closing of the closet to contain stuff shoved inside. Totally did that. My dad also left behind a car parked in the garage he intended to work on some day. That day never came. My mom also sadly left behind a sewing room that never actually was used for any sort of hobby, but just junk storage. Thanks for sharing! I found this through my "Inspiring Simplicity. Weekend Reads." from Becoming Minimalist.
Sounds like our families would've gotten along. Thanks for reading.