When Less Gives You More: SPACE

Space is such a relative term, it's hard to encapsulate the idea and present it as a one size fits all. The size of your home, the number of people and pets you may share it with, extra spaces you may have, or lifestyle requirements such as working from home are just a few examples of space representing a very specific situation for each person. No matter the room you have or need, though, one thing remains consistent: having less stuff gives you more space, physically and mentally.

A big rule of organizing is that you cannot organize clutter. Before you decide on homes for everything, before you buy a single basket...it is absolutely essential that you gather all of one type of item, place it in a neutral spot, and get a good understanding of what you actually have. Odds are it's much more than you need, or even want.

Humans tend to see a space and immediately feel the urge to fill it (yours truly is still fighting that urge). Once you shift your perspective and begin practicing intention behind the items in your home, you can learn to embrace the blank spaces and know that each item you have is the one (or two) you want.

Items that don't have a home end up laying out in a cluttered manor, and eventually often go missing. You buy another, repeat the cycle and end up with ten of the same piece..all of which you still can't find. Soon it feels like you're drowning in stuff and you can't understand why no matter how much you clean up, it never feels complete. You already know the cause, but it's worth repeating: you cannot organize clutter.

Gathering like items, picking your favorites, and moving forward from the rest is the first step to creating more physical space. Choosing appropriate location and storage containers is another helpful step in gaining room throughout the home. The final, and sometimes most important, piece is the increased mental space you gain from owning less.

The materialistic world filled our heads with the idea that 'bigger is better' and 'the more you own the more you're worth.' Fortunately environmentalism has made an appearance and plays a major role in modern living trends. We have learned that living a bit more simply has reflected in a greater appreciation for what we do choose to own, pushes us to take care of items rather than dispose and replace, and to consider quality before acquiring. Having less stuff to clean, maintain, or worry about has also created a greater mental capacity that allows us to focus on relationships and finding patience in -what used to be- stressful situations.

Owning fewer items gives us more physical space, simplified organizational systems and easier access to what we have. Eliminating the feeling of constantly being surrounded by 'stuff' naturally brings a sense of peace and control. Embracing the blank space and finding the calm improves mental capacity, so you can feel better about focusing on what truly matters. Get organized, and give yourself some space. You deserve it.

---