Look around the space you are in.

Does it feel organised?

Relaxed?

Neat?

Chaotic?

Cluttered?

Now I am going to take a calculated guess that due to the fact you clicked through to read this article, you may be feeling your space could do with a little less clutter?

Many people believe that decluttering means having loads of gorgeous storage tubs labeled perfectly, and stacked neatly in cupboards out of sight. But really this is just encouraging us to store things that most of the time we don’t need. In my last home I stored away old photo albums, (and loads of other things), and when we moved out I realised I had not looked at them once!

When I helped design my dream home I created so many storage spaces, I was so excited when I moved in and had endless storage! I even had so many spare kitchen cabinets because I had “too much” storage!

YES I believe there is such a thing as “too much storage”.

4 years after moving into that ‘dream home’, we decided our home in the country was no longer where we wanted to live, and we downsized closer to the city. But when we went to move one thing was really obvious, we had filled all that storage space we had with meaningless items, because the more storage space you have, the more you accumulate.

We believe that if things are tucked away and out of sight, that we are living clutter free. But the truth is, those cupboards, and attics filled to the brim with boxes and plastic tubs are causing us to feel ‘mentally cluttered’. We know they ‘are there’, and every time we open those cupboards it is a reminder of how much stuff we have, that we don’t ‘use’.

I have clicked on articles about “good storage ideas” before and seen things listed like “Hire Storage Space” as a top tip! And honestly the thought of it makes me feel smothered. I believe in some circumstances that makes sense, like if you are in temporarily small accommodation whilst waiting to move. For example you are renting in between moving home, or staying with family, travelling abroad for months, or staying in a caravan whilst a new home is built.

But in most cases I feel this is unnecessary and over the top. Like I said, the more storage, the more useless things we hold on to. When we downsized I could have easily insisted that we needed a storage space. My home now is almost half the size of my old home, but the things I could have kept would have sat unused in storage space, costing me money, and I would most likely not need ,or use any of it!

One thing downsizing does is force you to prioritise, you realise what matters most. You ask yourself . . . . .

What possessions do I use regularly? What possessions do I enjoy the most and want around me everyday?

When you ask yourself what things really matter, and when you take notice of the things that you use, you begin to understand how little you actually need to be happy!

In my home I have only kept the things that we use and need, practical things! And of course the things that make us feel nurtured, inspired and happy! Most things we use the majority of the year. Yes there are some things that require storage, like, the lawn mower, camping gear, suitcases, the Christmas tree, but these are at least things used every year. Other than that my advice is to limit what you store, rather than hire more storage, or buy more storage tubs.

Some of the personal things I store include.

  • a small box with a few of my children’s baby items. I have kept their first baby outfit, some special cards, some precious photos, and their Christening gown.  I chose these as to me they were the most special. You will obviously make your own choice.
  • a small folder of a few favourite childhood art works they did, cards and mementos.
  • a selection of some photos that are of me with friends and family as I grew up.
  • a couple of cherished family items like my great grandmothers bible that she had hand written notes in.

And then I store in a folder our important documents like passports, birth certificates, etc.

My point is that you have to make choices. We have to decide how much things mean to us, how often we use them and whether they make us happy. For me personally, knowing that I have unnecessary things in my home just makes me feel wasteful and cluttered. When I clear out the things I don’t ‘need’ any longer, or ‘like’ any longer, I feel like I can breathe easier. My mind feels clearer, and I can make room for new possibilities.

“breathe easier with less clutter”

I am not saying throw everything away, I am not saying you can’t store anything. What I am suggesting is that you really think about what things are important to how you live your life on a weekly basis.

My top tips.

  • Only store the things you really have to.
  • Display cherished items where you can enjoy them rather than storing them out of sight for years. (I do this with my wedding album, and also some cherished pieces handed down to me).
  • Ask yourself what things are in your home that evoke negative feelings, or memories, and get rid of them. You do not need negativity in your life!
  • Don’t hold onto things just in case! if you really need another one in five years, you can get one then, or borrow one.
  • With clothing, if it doesn’t fit, don’t keep it. (Donate it, someone needs it more than you.) Don’t keep items you don’t feel attractive in, or ‘yourself’ in. Only keep things that make you feel good, and that are comfortable.
  • Keep things around you that make you smile! Awesome photos of happy moments, or vacations can be displayed rather than stored away where they are never seen.
  • If something inspires you, nurtures you, or causes you great happiness then keep it!

Life is too short for clutter and negativity. Surround yourself with people, and possessions that inspire you to be your happiest, healthiest, best self!

Live fearlessly authentic!

Thanks for joining me. Love, Mackenzie xx

 

Enjoyed this? Want to read more about interior design? Below are some links you can click on to read more tips.

Decluttering. 

tips for decorating your child’s bedroom 

Open plan living 

Styling tips for a neutral palate. 

Style to the beat of your own drum.

Interior design tips for small spaces.

Hallway or Entrance design tips.

Don’t forget you can follow me on Youtube Reflectionsfromme where you can find extra videos that I don’t always share here .

My Instagram # communities are #livingfearlesslyauthentic and #mummyhshot, hope you can join in. Find me @macglanville 

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