Last month I registered for a 3 month guided program developed by "The Minimalists," Joshua Fields Milburn and Ryan Nicodemus, called Uncluttered. Together these gentlemen have hosted a podcast since 2016 which revolves around simplifying the clutter, chaos, or excess that may exist within one's life and home. Long before their podcast, they started their website in 2010 and through films, books, and tours, establishing an audience of more than 20 million people. (You can read more about their back story here:www.theminimalists.com/about/) One of their best sellers is titled Love People, Use Things, Because the Opposite Never Works. They have also produced multiple Netflix documentaries including Minimalism and Less is Now. (I note on their website that after 6 years on Netflix, Minimalism will exit the platform on June 15th, 2022 )
Twice a year, usually January and May, Joshua organizes and leads the Uncluttered Program, which across a period of 3 months, guides participants to examine and reduce the excess within their homes. The first week's assignment is to understand your "why." For some, they find they are tired of organizing and reorganizing the same items over and over. The time could be used more productively engaged in work, hobbies, athletic pursuits, or friendships. Others are uncomfortable with visitors, embarrassed that their furniture is buried underneath laundry, toys, or mail. Some desire to live more freely, leave a smaller footprint, and pick up and travel easily on a whim without feeling attached to the responsibilities that excess stuff and ownership may demand. Many report their "why" is to simplify life for their children so that upon a relative's passing, the children don't inherit a storage shed of stuff. The facebook private group hosts thousands from around the world which indicates many, regardless of geography, find the exercise of letting go, giving away, or throwing out stuff to be psychologically challenging.
Twice a year, usually January and May, Joshua organizes and leads the Uncluttered Program, which across a period of 3 months, guides participants to examine and reduce the excess within their homes. The first week's assignment is to understand your "why." For some, they find they are tired of organizing and reorganizing the same items over and over. The time could be used more productively engaged in work, hobbies, athletic pursuits, or friendships. Others are uncomfortable with visitors, embarrassed that their furniture is buried underneath laundry, toys, or mail. Some desire to live more freely, leave a smaller footprint, and pick up and travel easily on a whim without feeling attached to the responsibilities that excess stuff and ownership may demand. Many report their "why" is to simplify life for their children so that upon a relative's passing, the children don't inherit a storage shed of stuff. The facebook private group hosts thousands from around the world which indicates many, regardless of geography, find the exercise of letting go, giving away, or throwing out stuff to be psychologically challenging.
The program is well organized and each week an email is sent to participants to provide guidance and encouragment for reducing clutter within a designated space. This current week the goal is one's wardrobe/closet and bathroom area. Joshua shares experiences from his personal life with his family and children as well as testimonials from individuals who have inspired him through their journey. There are 12 weeks of modules which provide additional videos, checklists, and direction. Of course, you are more than welcome to declutter additional spaces but the course provides a framework to help you stay on task. The process of pairing down and letting go motivates one to assess whether this item is valuable, memorable, and worthy of display and space within one's home. In addition, we may find we reduce our spending and acquisition of things when we initiate this exercise of home inventory. The process is one of recognition, that less stuff may create more time for those people and activities we value the most. Perhaps there is some freedom to be found in letting go.
It's unlikely that I will ever be a "minimalist," however I do prefer my home be orderly. My brain functions better in clear, open spaces and I am less distracted when a space is organized. I regret wasting time looking for things which should be housed within a designated space. More importantly, I want my home to be welcoming to guests and family. The "Uncluttered Course" won't make you a minimalist, however it will provide you with structure, a little emotional support, and regular motivation to assess your attachment to things. This exercise is for me, not for my spouse or kids, however it is not unusual for others to join in the process. Certain items of course remind me of special times; I still have snail-mail from my high school days, yearbooks, and memorabilia which have activated some wistful, joyful and sometimes melancholic memories. Stuff will do that! Some of it I have released; others I am not ready to part with yet and that's ok! There are many organizations that can benefit from items that no longer serve you. Whether clothes, tools, housewares, or books a donation may become somebody else's treasure. Check out the Minimalist for more details. I enjoy their free podcast, it is even free of ads as they consider advertisements to be clutter as well! www.theminimalists.com/podcast/
During my de-cluttering (and I still have 2 more months) I found many keepsakes including Trey's 4-year old birthday crown from preschool. I aksed him if I should keep it or part ways and he decided since we had held onto it for 15 years, might as well preserve it. He might be more sentimental than his mom! I also elected to hold on to these special Valentines from many moons ago!
During my de-cluttering (and I still have 2 more months) I found many keepsakes including Trey's 4-year old birthday crown from preschool. I aksed him if I should keep it or part ways and he decided since we had held onto it for 15 years, might as well preserve it. He might be more sentimental than his mom! I also elected to hold on to these special Valentines from many moons ago!
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