Progress
I didn’t realize what great strides I was making in de-cluttering and moving toward minimalism until I found some really old pictures of how I used to decorate my home. I will share a few so that you may see what I am talking about. These pictures are from about 5 years ago when Dave and I were still in College and lived in an apartment compared with our current home.
I used to decorate my dresser like this…
Now it is a little more simplified…(also painted white with new hardware)
My side tables used to look like this…
and this…
But now they look like this…
and this… (also stained them and added handles)
I used to stuff my hutch with all sorts of things…
Now I’ve pared it down a bit…
I used to stuff my entertainment center to the brim with knick knacks and decor…
Now I have a much more stream lined approach…
And last but not least here is our old cluttered desk…
and our new more basic and simple desk
Now a lot of this “de-cluttering” and minimizing was due to having children who would break most of the items I used to decorate with but also I now find joy in clear spaces and have realized that the less stuff I have the less stuff I need to clean, find, lose, and worry about.
Cori thinks I’m weird because, every time I get a surface cleared I get really excited. I’ve always had so much stuff…and even now, my night stand is cluttered, my bed room is crowded (it is the room that needs the most, but gets the least, attention. The rest of the house is pretty clear.)
It is amazing how time changes us. 2 years ago I never would have thought that I would want to get rid of so much of my stuff—but I have. (Mostly books, I still have sooo much more I need to go through.) But it really is so freeing and relaxing to get rid of junk and enjoy clean, clear surfaces. 🙂
Anywho…hooray for simplifying!
I love what you are doing!!! It looks really great! (Can you come do my house next?) 😉
Thanks Sherry! Sure, if I ever finish my house I’d love to help you with yours. For now you should check out miss minimalis, zen abits, and mnmlst in my links they all offer great advice as well as a few other links I posted 😉
It really is so freeing. It makes life simpler and less stressful. Plus its easier to clean when you have less stuff. And less things to be attached to when the kids break them 😉
I have been trying to clear my house out for years…but it’s been easier since you started doing it! Way to motivate me! Oh, and it looks great by the way!
Thanks Kimmie and good luck. I am the same way I have been getting my motivation from several of my friends as well as some of the blogs I follow. You can check them out in my links section. I am incredibly amazed by miss minimalists story. I don’t think I will ever go as far as she did but it is quite inspirational. Good luck I’m sure you’ll do great it really is so exciting and freeing to get rid off all the junk that bogs us down.
Funny how things change. There is such a definite difference. Good for you in decluttering!