We’re at our new home, trying to get unpacked. We just got the internet set up again so I can get back to blogging again.
The new place is a duplex in a great neighborhood. Not as urban as the last place and it’s surely no victorian mansion, but it’s great for us.
It’s small. Around 800 sf. Actually, I think closer to 750. But that’s okay. We have been progressively living more and more simply with each move and I like it. If you’ve read my blog before, you’ve probably realized that we’re pretty anti-consumerism and that we have been freeing ourselves from stuff slowly over the past year. Well this little place is a push in that direction. We currently have too many belongings to fit into our home. Our closets (which by the way, are awesome for such a small space!!) are overflowing with boxes. What is even in those boxes, I can’t tell you. But I can tell you this: I am dead certain that we don’t need most of it. We haven’t touched it in two months. That means it can’t be all that important!
So I started today with what mill likely be one of the hardest parts.
I got rid of books. Lots and lots of books. And I so love to read. I also love to have books around me, and around my kids. I want them to love reading as much as I. However, we just don’t have the space. So three large boxes of books went to Half Price Books today and they paid us $37 in cash for them. Just enough for me to buy two new nursing bras. Funny how God looks out for us like that. I needed those nursing bras badly (I won’t even get started about the sad state of my old bras….) and we don’t have much extra to spend at the moment, but God always provides.
So I started with books. Considering how much I love them, I think that will make going through the rest of this “stuff” seem much easier. I am trying to let go of my sentimental attachment to things of this world and thing how much happier we will be when our home is clean and free of clutter.
I plan on doing some before and after photos, so be looking for them. 
Anyone else do a major downsize/declutter? Want to share some tips?
My favorite “do we need it” measure is “Has it been used/worn in the last year?” If the answer is no, we can probably do with out, but I do make some exceptions to that rule. I won’t be getting rid of any baby items… books, toys, clothes etc. until I think I’m done having kids (at least one more to go) unless I hated it. I generally won’t get rid of our small library or religious books, although most others are on the chopping block… in fact I just went through and cleared out book shelves of about 2 dozon books I decided we don’t need anymore. Planning to sell some on Ebay. It is freeing to declutter. =)
And isn’t is wonderful and amazing how God will provide, one way or another. =)
by the way, you’re super brave to live in a space that small. I’m not sure we could do it. Briand and I both need space for our creative outlet hobbies or we’d go crazy.
Thanks for the tips
It IS freeing to declutter!
We’re just being creative with space. I am currently seeking a spot to sew- and it may just end up being in the bathroom. It’s odd, but it will work. It’s a nice sized room with the space to do it, so why not?
Nick’s outlets are all computer related, plus he is learning the guitar and we can keep that easily in the closet when not in use.
I am getting rid of the kid stuff. It’s hard for me, but we will be waiting several years if we do have any more, so we may as well. Especially since we buy 90% of what we own used. We can always find baby stuff at a thrift shop or yard sale a few years down the line. It’s worth that price to me to not have to trip on it for five years or so
yeah… we’re planning to cram another kid or two in before I’m 30. I figure I’m all for getting “baby mode” over with in one quick shot. Plus, we’re lucky enough to have a good sized storage shed at our rental. Don’t know what I’d do otherwise!