Category Archives: minimalism

The Two Week Declutter Workbook!

Hey friends! I’m excited to share something that I created to help you transform your physical space and your mental health for the better. It’s called the Two Week Declutter. It’s a workbook that helps you complete a decluttering task each day for two weeks. The tasks will address spaces such as your kitchen, your wardrobe, your bedroom, your bathroom, your mind, and more.

I’ve worked with clients to transform their small spaces and declutter their lives for years and I’ve finally compiled all of that information into an easy to digest workbook. With this workbook, you’ll learn things like… 

  • Proven decluttering tips and tricks
  • Practices to ensure the clutter doesn’t sneak back in
  • Where to donate sustainably and where to sell your items to make the most profit.

 Purchase the workbook today for the accessible price of $27. That’s lower than the price of a Target sweater that you probably didn’t need anyway! If you start the workbook today, you’ll have a tidier home before the chaos of the holidays.

Where to Donate Your Stuff After You’ve Tidied Up

Where to donate your stuff after you've tidied up!

So you’ve made it through Marie Kondo-ing your whole house or just a big decluttering session? (Here’s 25 ways to declutter if you still need help!) Great! Now the problem is what to do with all that stuff?!

The easy thing is to just dump it all off at Goodwill. And I get that. But unfortunately dropping your stuff off at a thrift store doesn’t mean it will get into the hands of people that need it. Goodwill does some great things, but there are other organizations and people out there who can benefit from your “junk.”

This list is in no way comprehensive and will vary by location. The best thing you can do is Google your area and where you wish to donate items. Then, call them and ask if they are accepting donations. It’s easier than you think!

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Where To Sell Your Old Stuff After You’ve Tidied Up

It seems like everyone lately is on a “tidying up” spree. I think it’s a combo of #newyearnewyou and that Marie Kondo show on Netflix. (Have you watched it?) Selling your old stuff can be a powerful incentive to get rid of something and it might just help you reach a goal. How great would it be to make an extra mortgage payment from your old junk or to be able to pay for a vacation? So today, I’m going to teach you how!

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Gifts for Minimalists

gifts-for-minimalistsIt’s that time again. The time of year when you have no idea what to get the minimalist in your life. I’ve done a lot of holiday gift challenges in the past. I’ve tried spending just $100 on gifts. I’ve tried handmaking everything. I’ve lost my damn mind. Just kidding. Kind of.

But my gift challenges were to create or purchase gifts for other people. Most people in my life are not minimalists and that’s OK. And I have a lot of lovely people in my life who want to get me a gift in exchange. I know as a minimalist I can be hard to shop for. I don’t like a lot of stuff. And I’m very particular about what “stuff” I bring into my life. Here’s some gift ideas for the minimalists you know and love. Continue reading →

Make Do and Mend: Key Lanyard

Make Do and Mend- Key LanyardLately I’ve been making a conscious effort to buy less and do the best I can with what I have. I’m sure I don’t buy as much as the average person and I do consider myself quite the minimalist, but it’s still really easy for me to think I don’t have any groceries, when I have plenty of cans in my cabinet or think I have no clothes to wear when I really just need to do the laundry. In an effort to keep up my accomplishments, I want to start a new series on the blog cleverly titled: Make Do and Mend. (Inspired by the ever inspiring series, With What You Have.)

Made Do and Mend- lanyardI recently started a new job at work. I’ll no longer be working the night shift and it’s much closer to my house. (Horray!) I’ve only been at this new position for a few weeks, but I’ve noticed that I use keys much more than I had previously. Hence, the need for a lanyard. I wanted something I could wear around my neck for convenience, but I ask wanted something fashionable– as fashionable as a lanyard could be. My first instinct told me to start looking around on Amazon. I was instantly met with 5,000 lanyard options. But I don’t need all those options. All I need is an old necklace and a forgotten key ring. Make do and mend.

How are you making do and mending? I love to hear from you.

love,
melanie

Holiday Decor Ideas for Small Spaces

Holiday Decor Ideas For Small Spaces

When you live in a small space, holiday decor can be a challenge. I want to be festive, but I also don’t want to have stuff to put into storage for 11 months out of the year. Over the years I’ve come up with and come across lots of easy and cheap holiday decor ideas for small spaces. Let’s get our decorating on! Continue reading →

How To Practice Minimalism During the Holidays

how to practice minimalism during the holidays | asmalllife.com

Haul out the holly! Yup, you heard it here first, it’s the holiday season. The holiday season should be one of love, thankfulness and joy, but it can quickly turn into a season of stress, urgency and irritability. Much of my holiday stress comes from the cost of the holidays and simply trying to do too much. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think we have to totally dismiss all gift giving and holiday traditions, but we need to keep our expectations in check and practice minimalism during this joyous season. Here how I practice minimalism during the holidays. Continue reading →

How Seth and Maggie are Preparing for Tiny House Living

How to prepare for tiny house living | asmalllife.comToday I’m excited to feature my new friends, Seth and Maggie. Seth and Maggie are currently preparing for tiny house living. One of the questions I often get asked is how we downsized. I’ve talked a bit about downsizing before, but it’s good to get the perspective of others who have done the same. Since we didn’t work with a contractor, I’m also really interested in the process of planning and building a tiny home. Take it away, Seth and Maggie!

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40 Fast Ways To Clear Clutter

Fast Ways to Clear Clutter
We’re all #busy and sometimes cleaning is the last thing on our minds. I get it. But when we have less things, there’s less to clean. That’s why it’s important to periodically weed clutter from our lives. Taking the time to clear clutter can be time consuming, but if we do just a little bit each day, we’ll have less stuff in no time. Here’s 40 fast ways I’ve found to clear clutter.

  1. Use Unroll me to get clean up your inbox.
  2. Challenge yourself to get rid of one thing per day for a week.
  3. Challenge yourself to get rid of one thing everyday for a month.
  4. Send yourself a daily reminder email or alarm to declutter just one area of your house.
  5. Get rid of something as soon as you wake up in the morning.
  6. Don’t let yourself go to sleep without getting rid of something.
  7. Set a no-buy day. Don’t allow yourself to buy anything on Mondays.
  8. Before you bring anything new into the house, get rid of something old.
  9. Before every birthday or gift-giving holiday, donate something.
  10. Ask for experience gifts, like massages or movie theater gift cards for birthdays and holidays.
  11. Have a “no gifts” policy.
  12. Challenge everyone in your house to get rid of three things.
  13. Go digital! Start scanning old pictures and documents.
  14. Get rid of duplicates in one room or area of your home.
  15. Set a timer for 5 minutes, challenge yourself to get rid of as many things as possible.
  16. Cut cable– it clutters up your mind!
  17. Fill one trash bag with junk to be thrown away.
  18. Fill one trash bag with things to be donated.
  19. Clear off your kitchen counter.
  20. Clean out one drawer.
  21. Begin placing what you wear to one side of the closet, after 30 days clear out the things you haven’t worn.
  22. Put five things in their place.
  23. Straighten your bathroom while brushing your teeth.
  24. Clear your desk at the end of each day.
  25. Get rid of previous issues of magazines.
  26. Throw away expired foods.
  27. Throw away expired medicines.
  28. Go through your mail and throw the junk mail in the recycle bin.
  29. Sort through your sock drawer, throw away your holey socks.
  30. Label your spice drawer.
  31. Donate something you haven’t used in a year.
  32. Get rid of something from the most cluttered place in your home.
  33. Clean out your pantry.
  34. Make a meal with rarely used pantry items.
  35. Donate something you’ve been meaning to donate.
  36. Put the donation bag in your car so you don’t forget about it!
  37. Get rid of one “someday” or “just in case” item.
  38. The next time you “need” something, challenge yourself to make do with something you already own.
  39. Put a note in your wallet to remind you not to make unnecessary purchases.
  40. Make a gratitude list before your next shopping trip. You’ll be reminded that the best things in life aren’t things.

What are your favorite fast ways to clear clutter? Talk to me in the comments!

9 Ways to Reduce the Stress of Technology

Ways to reduce the stress of technologyI feel like I have the physical stuff part of minimalism down pat. Give me clutter and I can conquer it! But the mental part, that part for me is much harder. I constantly want to fill my day with emails and websites and checking Instagram and Pinteresting ALL THE THINGS! Those things add little value to my life. Those things only add stress. To live a simpler, happier life, I need to let some technology go. Maybe one day, I’ll let all the technology go, but for now, here’s some ways to reduce the stress of technology. Continue reading →