I have been doing a lot of thinking lately, and the thought of living with less have been on my mind.
I am not sure if it’s because in three years my husband and I will be empty nesters.
It’s hard to imagine how life will be with one less person in my home.
Or, if it’s because I am so busy with my businesses that I don’t have the time I once did to take care of it all.
But either way I am looking around and visualizing my home with less clutter than I have.
I have always filled my home with things that I love, and pieces that are not only decorative but also serve a purpose.
That’s helped, but still, I see pieces of furniture that really are not serving any purposes for me any longer.
Like my dining room cabinet.
We bought this piece in the 1990’s and it looked great in our old home.
It’s held my favorite pieces of china.
But over the years I have been letting some of my pretty pieces go as well.
And a glimpse of my piano, a family piece.
But over the years as no one has played it, this piano has collected dust.
I would rather see someone enjoy these pieces, then to take up room in my home.
And not only the piano, but many other pieces in this room will be leaving.
You will see more of my pieces from my personal collection make it into my shop, like this old ice cream bucket.
And many other pieces that are way too big for shipping will be appearing at my sale next month.
I am embracing the less is more way of decorating.
And who knows, in the next coming years we may find ourselves living in a much smaller home.
Maybe in fact a cottage-we will will see.
One of my biggest sources for inspiration has always been from Rachel Ashwell herself.
I just finished reading her latest book, “The World Of Shabby Chic”.
If you haven’t checked it out yet it’s a must read!
Rachel shared how Shabby Chic became what it is now.
But she also reflected on her style.
One of the things I am drawn to by Rachel’s style is her minimalist approach to decorating.
She admits that she has become more of a minimalist in the recent years.
I’m not sure if you can relate, but for me I feel like enough is enough.
Seriously, I could open my house up today, have a sale, and say….go for it.
With the exception of a few pieces.
So, as I share my home, you may start seeing less.
It’s not that I don’t love vintage treasures, but I am longing for less in my home.
So tell me can you relate?
Another great post Anne. It is very relevant to me because I long to get rid of the stuff that no longer serves me too. It is a job that seems overwhelming but I know it will feel great once accomplished. Have a wonderful day.
Valerie
Anne, Good for you:) I am about to be an empty-nester as well and I have spent the last several months sifting though my home and parting with things that I really no longer need. Removing the physical clutter helps release the mental clutter too I have found:) I, like you, have hung on to things “in case I might need it down the road”. Now as I put these and other items in my donation box I imagine someone feeling blessed when they find them at the thrift store. Your down-to-earth posts are so refreshing so keep them coming…..
Thank you so much Suzanne. Doesn’t it feel wonderful to purge those pieces you no longer need. It’s an amazing feeling to live with less and appreciate it so much more as well.
Thank you Valerie! I need to do a part 2 of this post as far as purging and how to decide what to keep. Have a great day!
I have been going thru the same thing. Eleven yrs. ago I moved from an 1800’s house to a smaller home built in the 70’s, I had an auction and sold a lot of furniture and stuff, antiques that had a lot of meaning o me, after living here for eleven yrs. I come to realize I should have sold more so now
I’m re-evaluating and deciding just what to sell and what to donate.
It’s not an easy thing to do, but I think about how much easier it will be to clean house and I think you get to a point in your life that de-cluttering your house is like cleansing you soul it just makes you feel better.
Good luck to you.
Yes Patty it really does feel better to have less. I am feeling less and less attached to stuff these days. And it’s a wonderful feeling. Best wishes to you as your sort through your things. In the end I am sure you will probably appreciate having less than more.
We too are headed in that direction.
I can totally relate, Anne. Sooo much. I have come to hate walking down my basement stairs to the shelves upon shelves of “stuff” down there that I’ve collected over the years. It’s insane. I also accumulated things from my parents’ house last summer which takes up space now in my attic. So, as much as I hate the thought, I need to have a garage sale this summer. it’ll be lots of work, but these things need to go a home where they will be displayed instead of stored. I will keep the memories which is actually more important than the “things” themselves. Also, since incorporating a more bohemian look in this old farmhouse, and since the rooms are so small, I need to carefully weed out too many “things” sitting around so that it doesn’t look cluttered and claustrophobic. So, yep. I can relate to what you’re feeling! lol
xoxo laurie
It’s so easy to go overboard Laurie, speaking of myself.Because I love vintage treasures so much. But I am feeling the need to have less. You have your work cut out for you .But you will feel so much better once it’s done!
Since March of 2013 when my husband & I down sized from our 3bd 2bth home. I have been a huge job to not only let go of my things..but sell them as well. I’m still in the process since my current rental/home is Small! I do need a new Couch no more than 60″ and must be comfy.
thanks for all your postings Ann.
PS…You are going to love being an empty-Nester. (We miss our daughter..but the the clean up LOL)
Ro
Thank you Roseann! Your new home sounds perfect!
Yes,i am the same way,of course i am a grandma but i have some of their stuff,i feel i need to do away with,sleeping arrangements redone,as we get older life changes and it is harder to keep up. Just think about what you will need for the future and store things if you have room.
Yes, I am keeping what I need and doing without the rest Marlene. I guess it’s the circle of life for me LOL!
Exactly – – I can totally relate. Less can be so liberating!
Yes, less can be so liberating!
Absolutely Rosalie!
I can so relate to your thoughts.Anne. Much better to start doing this now, than to wait. When you start having that gut feeling, it’s time to start getting busy. Moving twice last year has forced me to let go of a lot of things I loved, but now, don’t really miss. I have more to go, now I’m trying to create cohesive spaces, and keep down the clutter. great post!
Oh my Debra, I cannot imagine moving twice in a year…eeek! Well after our last move almost 9 years ago…I decided then never again would I move all of this stuff again-and I won’t .It is such a freeing feeling to have less :-).
Certainly I can relate. But my problem is that I have a lot of sentimental stuff that will go to my children and grandchildren. But not quite yet. And I have difficulty parting with my belongings, so many of which I had to sacrifice for. But my little cottage is cluttered and I don’t want that, but can’t find a middle ground. Is there a book for people like me?,
Cheryl I am going to share a post about this so stay tuned….hoping to help.
You can always rent a storage shed. I know people who have done this. Not me, yet.
LOL Gloria….hmmm that would be my basement. But it won’t be storing much very soon 😉
Yes, Anne, I can definitely relate, and have been on that track for some time. Mr. P. is 10 yrs older than me, and the idea of finding a smaller, more manageable home has been on our radar for years, both here and elsewhere. It takes time, but I think you’re smart to start thinking about it now.
Yes I am looking forward to a more manageable home for sure Rita.
I’am totally getting to that place in my life too! The kids are grown and sometimes all my “stuff” seems overwhelming! I think with the exception of a few beloved pieces I could easily do the same! I have actually considered doing a purge of the house and having a sale. Also being in the vintage business does not help cause it seems I’m always finding new treasures to drag home!
Yes it really can get over whelming Traci especially when you are in the vintage business. I know that from personal experience too. But I must keep things track of things so it doesn’t get crazy. The fun part about owning a vintage business is that I get to find treasures enjoy them for a bit and then move them along to another home 🙂
Enjoyed your post Anne. I’m going through the same need to simplify. My problem is that everything I have has a story. Just when I think I can let go, I can’t seem to do it. But I feel really crowded and cluttered and stressed by it all so I know I have to do it for my own peace of mind. Any time I have a visitor and they admire something I try to give it to them because I know they will enjoy it as apposed to just taking it all to a thrift store. Yard sales don’t do well where I live. Anyway, I love your blog!
Thank you Cynthia. I know it can be overwhelming. I am going to share a post soon that may help you with this process.
2 years ago I began my journey of having less I have never been a fan of collecting, shopping or accumulating stuff to impress the jones family next door. None of that middle class crap every interested me in the least. Living large always seems like a stupid waste of resources and money. So I always have had a small footprint living in small places that are perfect under 500 square feet or less. .. I have never lived in more then a one bedroom so it was not clutter I had, but attachment to family items and a extensive art collection, attachment to my kitchen items that I had to come to terms with. I got rid of small appliances, extra teapots, books, all my cookbooks, DVD’s and CD’s went. I went digital with all that, much better. Then extra art. I found homes for extra kitchenware’s to help someone else out. Never having had a real home, I rented all my adult life so had to keep minimal possessions at all times. I never understood people with clutter or large homes. It seems so wasteful to me and a ridiculous way to live, with to much space and things. Now that I downsized from a one bedroom to a small studio of 300 square feet, I am pleased with the outcome. I am surrounded by things that I truly loved and that have meaning to me No clutter and no extra closets of stuff I also got rid of half my clothing and kept just necessities along with giving those to charity I gave away all but 3 pairs of shoes. Its very freeing way to live, with less. Stuff does not consume my time, my home is beautiful and organized at all times. I know where everything is at all times and its very easy to care for. Even though I already lived small and had no clutter, just giving myself permission to live with less was very empowering.
Love it Diandra! Sounds like you have the perfect space and you really truly appreciate what you have and the space you created.
I can completely relate! A couple years ago, we moved from a smaller home back into a larger one, almost 4000 square feet! We quickly came to realize it was too big, but only after we managed to fill both the downstairs family room, and the garage, with treasures from junking and estate sales! So, after hiring an estate sale service to help us downsize my mother-in-law into a retirement community, we decided to have one ourselves, and downsize again into a smaller home! Let me say, it was one of the smartest things we have ever done! It paid to have a well known estate sale company hold the sale, as we made much more than if we had held it ourselves! I say, go ahead and move out those things that no longer speak to you. We are certainly enjoying a smaller home (just under 2900 sf) that is much more open!
Jane I guess at one time or another we all want something bigger. This home that we have is 1,000 more square feet than our last home. I have enjoyed decorating it, but now it’s time to start thinking about less. Hoping to find something much smaller in the near future.
Let it go, let it go, let it go!
It feels so good.
After my mom passed I cleared their house. Fifty years of accumulated things that really had little value, momentary treasures gone to seed.
Then I came home and started tossing.
Winnowing down makes the house feel more relaxed, less busy. Rock on, give away and toss. It’s somebody else’s new treasure.
Yep I totally agree Becky! I know someone will enjoy what I once loved.
I’m there with you! I have been doing the same. I recent remodel of the kitchen/dining area really made me think hard. Seriously I have alot of stuff! I’m not cluttery but when you box it up and take it off the walls you really see what you have. we have been living out of a box and cooking in the camper for almost 2 months. It really makes you take a look at it. I too am selling off … as soon as i get the kitchen in order! I want someone else to enjoy them as much as i have.
It really feels wonderful to have less doesn’t it Lori!
My husband and I became empty nesters over the period of 2 years. When our daughter went off to school, I was aware that something seemed (in my case) so sadly different around our house. Our some was still in high school, so I became much more involved in parent activities than I had when both of them were there. During that time, we moved our daughter’s bedroom to the second level of our home and redecorated (with her permission) in a more “adult” way. Right after I did it, I wanted to take it all back! It was too much too soon. I missed her old room with her “stuff” everywhere. I was down in the dumps for a long time. When our son left for college, I really experienced the empty nest syndrome, BIG and BAD. The one thing I didn’t do was change his room. I left it just as it was, everything in the same place as when he left. Just this winter, my husband and I finally moved furniture out of there, repainted, got more appropriate guest room furniture and turned it into a bedroom instead of it being “Taylor’s room”. I loved every minute of it and loved the room. It was then that I began to look around the house and felt the need to get some quiet minimalism in our home. I’ve done it slowly since I know that making BIG changes in a BIG hurry doesn’t quite work for me. I guess what all of this is about is sharing my experience and advice you to go slow and really think about what you want to let go of or change because once it’s done, it’s done. Nothing is ever lost on going slow and in the long run I think we’re always more satisified when we’re sure or as sure as we can ever be, on the decisions we make. Good Luck!
Thank you so much Judy, great advice!
I can relate, and I have been “creating space”, too. One of the first things to go was my China hutch, I kept the base for storage and serving, moved it to a new wall. My dining room feels bigger and I enjoy seeing the wall. It’s just so refreshing to say goodbye to things that someone else will enjoy. The decision to create space was solidified when my husband and I took an 8 day to upstate NY and Cape Cod…in an RV motor home. We lived with very little stuff on the trip, and it was refreshing. I realized I want to focus more on people and places vs. things. Our youngest is off to college soon and we’ll be continuing to “make space” and transition to cottage living.
Isn’t it a freeing feeling to live with less Char. I am really enjoying it. The more I purge the happier I feel 🙂