In addition to creating systems and giving every THING in our home A HOME, an even bigger part of simplifying has been to manage what comes through the doors in the first place as much as possible.
This is an ongoing process. The older I get (and the older my kids get), the clearer I become on what I value, how I want to shop, which companies I want to support when I do shop, and what boundaries I need to set. This also helps me make decisions (or eliminate decisions) more quickly.
At some point we stopped buying some things that we used to purchase. Overall, managing less stuff has been a game changer. It’s not just the item itself that is no longer coming in, it’s also the PACKAGING and the disposal of said packaging, the SPACE required to store it and maintain it, not to mention the TIME element. Here’s a short list of things we used to purchase.
Disposable water bottles
Paper napkins
Dryer sheets
Tupperware - we have switched to glass and honestly, if we ever get takeout we reuse those containers or yogurt tubs and jelly jars.
Gift Bags
Shaving Cream - I use conditioner or soap for shaving
Body Wash - have used locally made bars of soap for years now
Kitchen Items - we have everything we need and more. The only time we DO replace something is when it breaks (and even then we pause to decide whether it’s necessary, i.e. we have more than enough mugs/glasses)
Holiday Decor - I prefer all the sentimental/handmade decor!
Too Much Clothing - We function better with smaller wardrobes, having less has made a huge difference in being aware when we NEED something AND staying somewhat on top of laundry (which is one of the biggest challenges many of my clients face!) Additionally, being clear on the stores that work best for our budget/style/bodies keeps us from over-buying low-quality items. We stick with our ideal brands or the closest secondhand spots.
