How I Created A Minimal-ish Home (With a Maximalist Family)
When minimalism knocked on my door, I had a baby on one hip and a toddler swinging from the curtains. I had just swapped full-time work for full-time chaos at home and was drowning in stuff. Enter: a life-changing NPR article on “Montessorifying” kids' toys. Intrigued, I ventured down the minimalist rabbit hole. Instagram soon showered me with minimalist magic, leading me to devour Shira Gill’s book, Minimalista. That was the spark for a great decluttering spree—everything got scrutinized (except my husband’s garage…mostly).
I loved Gill’s approach of letting go while elevating what remains, which aligned perfectly with my eco-friendly aspirations. Out went 70% of the kids' toys, and I put a halt to the clothes-buying frenzy for all of us, especially my old professional attire that screamed, “I used to have a career!” The house felt transformed, and I was hooked on my own brand of minimalism—keep only what’s genuinely used, but not to the extreme of having just four forks.
We trimmed down to essentials: Two bath towels per person, two bed sheets per bed, and just one wine opener. Kitchen clutter was banished, including the avocado tool and pineapple corer—because, let’s face it, a knife does the trick. Old hairdryer? Straight to the donation bin, because zero house guests need it. I seasonally purge my wardrobe, sending unworn items to donation or ThredUp.
As for my husband, I didn't impose my minimalist madness on his stuff, but he slowly saw the light. Together, we tackled his clothes and his cherished collection of beer glasses, fueled by his beer-in-hand motivation. While his garage remains a fortress of tools, he's now a convert to the "let it go" philosophy, even adding his own clothes to the donate bin in the closet periodically.
In our cozy 1378-square-foot abode, every inch counts. To maintain my minimal-ish haven, I ban impulse buys. New purchases marinate in my cart while I ponder their value and storage spot. If something new comes in, something old must go. New towels? Old ones head to textile recycling, not the linen closet. New zipper bunk bed bedding? Out go the old comforters. Before birthday parties, the boys do a toy edit to clear space for new arrivals. And voilà, our minimal-ish lifestyle keeps the chaos at bay!
