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[amyb]

I listened to an episode of The Maximized Minimalist, while out on my walk this morning. It was an old episode from April 24th, 2019,

which was an episode titled "The Real Definition of Minimalism"

She quotes Joshua Becker, who I don't know but who's books she recommended...he describes the

definition of Minimalism as "Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value, and the removal of all that distracts us from it."

As she goes on to elaborate, it's not about perfection or only keeping 2 pairs of socks, and living with very little, necessarily, though that's what's become a popular, almost "faddish" version of it. 

I thought that Joshua Becker quote is a great one to keep in mind when choosing what to keep, what you need, and why, and what you don't. And then how to "promote" living with those things and not with others that don't serve us, things that "muddle" our living spaces with things that "distract us" from things we do love & use.

It also crossed my mind that it's really okay whatever it is we most value...for instance, one might think we should only keep the "practical" and get rid of the sentimental things ..but...IF it's the mementos you love to have around, for whatever reason, memories, history, loved ones passed...then that's what you value. Maybe there are other things that you need to streamline and intentionally keep the emotional things in a way where you can focus on them, not just store them away. Just an example...but the takeaway was "intentional" "focus on what we value" and out with what we have just stored, collected, but no longer truly value, need.

It's like many of us who have said when decluttering clothing that it's so nice to go to your closet and just see what you actually love and wear now. Not have to sift through all the things you don't.

Anyway...just some food for thought for today!

[amyb]

*Update from yesterday's post regarding the Joshua Becker quote...I looked up his books and have one requested "hold" at my library, waiting for them to get it from another library. Meanwhile, I was able to upload on "Hoopla", my library's e-reader/audio book options, another of his books "The More of Less."

Maybe some of you are well aware of him...I guess he's been popular for a while now in this "Minimal" space.

Just to be clear, as I've said many a time here, my goal is not to be one of the popularized "minimalists" with a very simple home, empty of every personalized item, and a clothing capsule collection of just 12 coordinating items. Though, respect to those who love that. But, I can tell his approach is not to strip down to nothing, as much as his philosophy from that quote from yesterday, knowing what to "clear out" that's getting in the way of whatever you value and however you really want to live.

Anyway, no time today to physically declutter but I like listening to this as I get ready to go out; just sharing here. There's lots of info from him on his Social media, likely YouTube, (though I haven't checked), and he has a blog etc.

These type of things just help me stay focused on this ongoing journey, and I always have more to learn, perpective tweeks that help me.

[KathyM23]

So far this week I have donated 4 pair pants, l pair shoes, 2 jackets and 1 decorative item.

To keep with my plan of donating 4 items for everyone I buy, I am still short this week.  I received my Belle TVS ponte crops in Begonia Pink, Seafoam and Grass Green, so I still need 4 more items to donate this week.  I have 3 in mind to get out for my donate pile and I know I will come across 1 more to reach my 4 to 1 goal for my 3 purchases before the end of the week.  4 to 1 might be stretching it, but I will try.

[nwbabs]

Glad to be back inside purging after a couple weeks out in the yard getting it in shape for the season. @amyb Thanks for sharing information on minimalist Joshua Becker.

Thursday Morning Downstairs Clearances...

-Cleared two end tables of contents not touched in a decade. Ridiculous! Ended up with 2 bags of trash and 2 bags that need further refinement of contents (shredding, laundering, etc.).

-Tossed three decor related signs that have been exposed to the elements and needed gone girl gone.

-Identified 8 pieces of furniture rode hard to be hauled away at a later date (broken futon, ancient mattress, etc.).

Thank goodness the trash and recycle folks come tomorrow. Can and bins are full!

Keep on purging my friends and have a great weekend!

[gidgetgh]

This just popped up on my Facebook feed.  It reminded me of our thread here.  A little Friday humor. 

[Fifi1]

@gidgetgh 100%!

three boxes of books boxed to take to church rummage sale - 

finding all kinds of treasures to look at and tear up!

now on to the "magazine must keeps"!

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@gidgetgh wrote:

This just popped up on my Facebook feed.  It reminded me of our thread here.  A little Friday humor. 

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[Twins Mom]

Took the coffee table to consignment, my first experience with that.  This Henredon piece is a beautiful mirrored top and square in shape, no curves.  Its rather painful when someone says something you consider primo as somewhat outdated.  Something I have to learn and remember as I try to decluttet.

Two bags of clothing, shoes, and misc dropped off at Savers.  Included three purses - two are Tigenello that I so liked.  These are still in very good shape, no leather issues.

8 empty shoe boxes that I was saving for -?- put in recycling.

[KathyM23]

Well I got out my 3 items I was thinking of and while going thru my pants closet found 1 more to make the 4 I was missing for my goal of 4 out to 1 in.

So for this week i am now up to date.  

In addition to the 8 items I mentioned in my previous post, I have added 2 more pants and 2 tops so I have reached my goal of 12 items gone replaced by 3 purchases.

[rnmom]

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@gidgetgh wrote:

This just popped up on my Facebook feed.  It reminded me of our thread here.  A little Friday humor. 

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@gidgetgh - Yep, I think we all can relate to that!

[rnmom]

I put a book aside to donate that I don't think I will read. I grabbed it during a library sale and didn't look too closely at what I was getting. 

I did a bit more shredding and dumped the shredder. I still have more to go, I don't have hours to spend going thru all the files so I do a little bit at a time. 

Tossed a broken bowl lid.