How to Live Minimally Where You Are

I dream of living in a tiny house. Downsizing sounds amazing. Even better would be the ability to own a home outright. I have read all the blogs, looked at tiny house schematics, and created my own tiny house vision. But alas, for now, it is all just a dream.....

I live with my husband and two children in a large home (large is a relative term I suppose, but it is large to me) in the suburbs. I love the area we live in. We are surrounded by friends, our church, and a great community. There is a variety of restaurants and activities to do within a short drive. I love my kids' school and the house is our only debt.

Over the past 3 years, I have been on a journey. A journey to minimize my life. To rid myself of things that don't serve me. To find out the things that do. I cannot put a number on the things I have gotten rid of but there is plenty still here. But the things that remain are things that either add value to my life or to my family's life.

Recently, I have been thinking and thinking of how I can live "tiny" but stay exactly where I am. I think in some respects, I am doing it right now. The main areas of my life that have been affected are my closet, my living spaces, cleaning, available time, and my personal life.

I began my journey attempting to create a reading room, a place of retreat for me. When that began, I would have never guessed that I would desire to downsize and live tiny. I just wanted a space clear of clutter where I could read in peace and quiet. (ha ha  I have 2 children. There is no such thing.)

So the journey began in one room of our house. In that room, I got rid of a couch, a huge bookshelf, a desk, a chair, all of my books (save a literal handful), and more. I went through papers we saved from financial institutions, etc.  I purged and shredded happily. Everything we need is online anyway. Tax returns were the only papers that were saved, untouched.

After that room, I became inspired and began reading blogs on minimalism, simplicity, and intentional living. I stumbled across bemorewithless.com and Courtney Carver's capsule wardrobe challenge. Immediately, I wanted to do that. I culled my clothes down to very few but well loved pieces. And my closet is now open and light with no excess.

I think I may gotten really excited at this point and possibly a little obnoxious to some friends of mine. Sorry. I moved on from there to EVERY ROOM OF THE HOUSE. I began to purge and get rid of things with abandon. But while there are 4 people in this house, I mainly kept the purging to my own stuff or household stuff. I did purge some clothes and baby toys that my kids had grown out of but in large part, my goal was to do this for myself.

My husband finally took notice to my closet purge and did his own! But my kids still cling to their toys and stuff like it's life or death. Occasionally, I will ask them about certain toys or stuffies and whether we should donate them to a child who may not have toys. But I don't force it. I want to be an example for them. That less is more in life.

Beginning this New Year, my friends and I have been doing the 30 day minimalism game - https://www.theminimalists.com/game/ . It is Day 23 and I honestly have no more things to rid myself of. Since I've been on this journey for a little while longer than my friends, there is not much left to get rid of! Which makes me smile.

This journey has purged my closet and house of a ton of clutter and stuff, which makes cleaning so much easier and living spaces open and inviting. However, the greatest effect may be on my time and my personal life. I have more time to do other things now and I am working toward developing my passions. For now, I will focus on that until life opens the door for my tiny house dream to come true.