I'm pretty good about doing a quarterly clean out. Our rule is if it hasn't been used in the last 6 months, out it goes! With five people living in a small house, all having hobbies, collections, toys, and what not, clutter can easily build up fast. The boys had a hard time parting with things the first time, but we always include them in the process and now they actually get excited when I get out the Goodwill boxes.
Now we're getting down to the nitty gritty. Basically, everything we want to keep has to fit into our kitchen and living room. Put's it all in perspective, doesn't it. Today, we made our way through the two hall closets and the kitchen. Now all my dyeing and soap making equipment is in one closet and the other closet is completely empty! I wiped down all of the kitchen cabinets and put back only the essentials. Food, one set of pots and pans, one set of dishes, one strainer....
I think it will be important to have objects be both pretty and functional in such a small space, so I'm keeping a few things I love.
With the kitchen organized, we have two sets of cupboards empty. It feels really good to let go, and I'm excited to see what other treasures we'll find!
Tomorrow... the basement.
I love purging. We did a lot of that recently with our move. Feels so good to get rid of things and slim down. I look forward to hearing about your homestead.
ReplyDeleteOh purging and I are really good friends. I am away right now, but with spring arriving this week you can be sure I will be cleaning and purging as soon as I get home.
ReplyDeleteI got rid of SO much stuff over the past year. I have the same mentality ..if it doesn't get used in 6 months there is no need for it! But, with moving twice in 9 months...it really put the whole process in hyper drive. I got rid of everything. And then I started wondering what the heck one needs anyways! And then my head started hurting because we needed some stuff. It is quite amazing though, even after living years very simply, how much stuff I still had! I'm excited to see how 600 sq feet turns out. We are 7 and I have been wondering how small we could go. 800 sq ft for starters? Dunno. Anything is possible!
ReplyDelete:)Lisa
It's inspiring to see other families pairing down to the necessities. My family is in the the midst of a similar process. We are moving into our travel trailer in with plans of taking a year (or years) long road trip :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the inspiration Liz, I have been wanting to do this for ages, I start and then become overwhelmed and leave it. Now I'm going to get stuck in this week and let go of things we no longer use, it does feel good.
ReplyDeleteHappy Monday to you!
Linda
Your post is timely for me as I too am purging in an attempt to simplify our lives. I'm realizing the key for me at least is to go in phases. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteAnn
It's fun to go through this change with you. And very inspiring too!! I'm getting an itching to clean out my pantry!!
ReplyDeleteI sure am enjoying watching you guys follow your dream!
ReplyDeleteWe lived - 8 of us - in an off grid mobile - which was about 700 - 800 sq feet for over 2 years:) Even in our rustic cottage, I strive (so hard and fail sometimes, too) at keeping things simple. It is so freeing.
in ou country, a house of 600 square foot is considered to be a big house! :)
ReplyDeleteThat's so encouraging, anneke! I really believe that it will be enough for us, too.
Delete