How can I downsize my life?

Question

I want a simpler life, but don't know how hard it'll be to give up material things. Any thoughts?

I'm not doing it because I "have" to, I just want to. I started by selling a 1900 sq ft house and moving to an 880 sq ft apt, thus reducing my things by half. This is a small start...I'm trying to rev myself up for more...

Answer 1

Good for you on this project but it will take some organizing. (And the Empress worked as one, so I'll help you here). Seperate stuff by (1) keepers, (2) trashers, (3) recycle {including SalArmy stuff}.

Eliminate all the trash, i.e., empty boxes of stuff you don't have old mail (esp junk) toss it! Clothing - if you've not worn it in a year, you're not going to except for seasonal (coats) or those clothes to keep for memoribilia (keep it minimal!) wedding dress, certain baby clothes. Downsize the kitchen too - contribute excess items to SA. Books, clothing etc to the SA. Tax records and personal papers - indef (cancelled checks shred after 7 years). Get a fire-proof locking box for birth cert, passport, military papers, etc. It's well worth it and handy to grab in an emergency.

Remember the S.CA fires and Katrina victims? they were happy to salvage the simple things, so think simple - don't let this stuff weigh you down (emotionally)

Remember that you're paying the movers by the pound, so eliminate stuff you don't want to pay moving! (even if you're moving yourself, this is a great help for you)

Answer 2

This is a great question and one that I have recently asked myself. It was hard to think of getting rid of most or some of my material possessions, but I read somewhere once, that if you never see it, use it, or even remembered you had that object, chances are, you don't need it. (unless it's something that you lost and were looking for)

I took that into serious consideration and have been able to simplify my "Material" aspect of my life. Try to cut down on the "wants" and focus on the "needs". For instance, if you go to the mall or even target and see a pair of shoes or a shirt that you may "want", ask yourself, "Do I really need this?" Chances are if you are at the store to by laundry soap and take a detour into the clothing or shoe isle, you probably don't really need them as bad as you think you do.

This will also help you save money in the long run and has made me feel much lighter and happier.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

I'm curious to knw why you feel the desire to 'downsize' your life? Do you feel that you have become too materialistic? Do you feel overwhelmed by life and all that goes with it? Are you attempting to live a lifestyle that you think is 'better'? I think that you need to address these issues, if you haven't already, and determine why you feel as you do.
The reason I say all this is because divesting yourself of all these material items usually doesnt solve the underlying cause. They are just things. And things don't determine who you are, or what you are about. I believe that until you come to terms with these issues, you will find that you are still in the same frame of mind, but with less stuff around you.

I think that you are looking for something else entirely. And until you figure out what that is, you won't be any happier than you are now.

Answer 4

All i will advise is which you do no longer unfastened touch inclusive of your little ones! Possessions advise no longer something, you could all techniques come again to the place you have been. My x-spouse moved out together with her boyfriend after 26 years of marriage, and that i lost each thing and ended up with an fairly great, unpredicted debt i replaced into devastated! the only way i could cope with it replaced into to flow to a diverse city and commence back, i could no longer stay in the comparable city as them, working into them another day,very confusing at 40 six yrs. i'm now 63yrs and retired, nonetheless unmarried yet I genuinely have the comparable issues I had in the previous and located peace, i will do what i desire and that i am going and spot my childrens usually besides the reality that it fairly is a 1400Klm holiday. I genuinely have some sturdy acquaintances who i will discuss with and existence is sturdy.

Answer 5

27 years ago, my wife and I embarked on the same path. What helped us the most? Believe it or not, it was ditching the television. We now have been without a TV for 26 years. It is hard to describe the subtle influence of the TV on one's desires to "possess things" especially "things" of no real consequence. We raised both of our children without a TV in the house, and that, too, changed our buying habits.

That seems like a very, very small step, but it had an enormous impact on our lives.

HTH

Charles

Answer 6

There is nothing wrong with having money. If you compare material things with the life energy needed to obtain that material thing, you life will be simpler.

Answer 7

you should read "the gospel according larry." its about a kid who only keeps something like 27 possessions in total, and if he wants something new, he really has to consider what he'd be willing to give up in order to get something else. it just makes you think about what the importance of your material possessions.

Answer 8

Aww.. it's so easy..

Just gimme all your money.. problem solved.. next..




.. just kiddin'.. :P


How To
Simplify Your Life

Think about your values and write down those that really matter to you. What is most important? Spending time with family? Accumulating great wealth? Achieving powerful influence? Acquiring possessions? Expressing yourself? Learning new ideas? Experiencing adventure and travel? Maintaining excellent health? Socializing with friends? Contributing to the community? You can't do them all. Cut out activities that aren't consistent with your core values.

-Write a list of goals you'd like to achieve. Focus on doing a few really well, rather than a lot in a mediocre way. You can't add hours to the day, but you can cut down on activities.

-Say no instead of yes. People agree to requests from others because they like to please them. Instead, realize that you have a right to say no. Creating plans or policies makes saying no easier. ("I'm sorry, I already have a financial planner." "I'm sorry, we already have a plan for giving to charities.")

- Stop being a slave to communication tools. Do you really need an office phone, a home phone, a cellular phone, pager, fax, e-mail and internet ICQ technology?

- Give away clerical tasks to others who can handle non-priority activities.

- Stop spending time to save money. Instead, spend money to save time. Don't drive across town to save a few cents on a grocery item. It's not worth your time. Do hire someone to do chores you're not fond of.

- Cancel subscriptions to magazines you never get around to reading. Only read one newspaper per day.

- Cut back on television time. Only watch those shows you decide on beforehand. Circle them in the television-listing magazine. Then turn off the television when the program is over. Cancel extra cable television packages for channels you rarely watch. Go for broke. Give up watching television altogether.

- Clean out your basement or your office. If you're not using something, get rid of it. Put an expiry date on items when you can't decide to keep them or not. Get rid of them when the expiry date arrives.

- Quit organizations that aren't contributing to your advancement, your network or your fun.

- Automate repetitive, clerical, mechanical tasks. For instance, set up automatic bill payments. Include your automatic savings plan as part of your monthly spending.

- Make a plan for the weekend that doesn't involve work. Plan to spend more time with your family or with people who make positive contributions to your life. Stop spending time with people who are a drain on your energy or vitality.

- Carry a smaller wallet or purse. Start by cleaning out the one you've got. Get rid of unnecessary credit cards and other clutter that you don't use regularly.

- Stop checking up on your financial portfolio every day. Most people invest for the long term. Checking your results daily adds to stress and might lead to expensive and unnecessary changes.

- Make time for yourself. Set aside time each day to reflect quietly, go for a walk, plan for your future or meditate. Visit the park instead of the mall.

- Cut back on debt. Consolidate your different debts into one and pay it off. Put your credit cards in a spot where you won't be able to use them until you're debt-free. Track your expenses for a month, then cut back your spending on items you don't need. For instance, pack a lunch rather than buying one at work. Mix and match your outfits rather than constantly buying new ones.

- Consider renting a vacation home rather than buying. You won't be burdened by time (and money) spent in maintenance. Also, this allows you to visit a different spot each year.

- Plan time for a vacation every year. Some people claim "I haven't had a vacation in three years" as if it was a badge of courage. It isn't.

- Cut back on your children's planned activities. If they have to use a time planner to schedule their activities, and you spend all of your time taxiing them around, they're probably too busy.

- Live closer to your work so you don't have to drive.

- Take a moment each day to be grateful.

http://www.getmoredone.com/tips7.html

Answer 9

star out simple like not going to movies and buying your groceries at a produce store...rent videos instead and try church

Answer 10

well for the average person it would be hard but if you were truely passionate about down sizing you wouldn't be concerned it sounds like your simply doing it to do it not for any reason else. if you see this please clarify in details