||Day Fifty-Three||
The other day I was inspired. My inspiration stemmed from two different things. The first being a graphic that I saw online (I think someone shared it on Facebook, or maybe it was on Pinterest; it doesn't matter) that demonstrated simple tips to live a "simple life", and become somewhat of a minimalist. The second came from the current book I'm reading, "We Were Liars". I know I've already mentioned this book many times, and I'm going to keep mentioning it because I'm only halfway through and it is just fantastic. But what comes from the book is that the main character, Cadence, decides to start purging things from her life -- specifically her belongings. I won't go too into depth, because spoilers. Just know that this book is influencing me in such a way that every time I read it I just want to purge more and become more and more minimalistic. It's a process.
Contrary to the graphic and the book, however, I decided to take things one step further. Instead of simply giving away belongings, I decided to have a "Life Purge". So here are the steps that I have undergone (and am continuing to undergo) so as to live a simpler, happier, and more ideal* life style.
(*Disclaimer: Minimalism is not for everyone, and I don't believe in forcing certain ways of life upon other people. This is just something that I feel has benefitted me in such a way that I wanted to share it. Maybe someone else will benefit from it as well.)
{Closet}
To me, this is the easiest part of the purging. We all have those clothes in our closets/dressers that we think we'll fit into again, or will come back into style. Or, if you're anything like me, a thousand t-shirts that are unnecessary (let's just say I acquired 6 or 7 from a housing fair at school... they were free, I couldn't resist). Go through all your clothes. Try things on. Does it look good? Does it hold sentimental value? Will you actually wear it? KEEP IT. Does it look bad? Was it free? Does it suit your style anymore? GOODBYE. With clothes you can go three different routes: sell it, donate it, trash it.
In my most recent clothes purge, I am going to try selling some more gently used things to Plato's closet (though I've never done this before, so we'll see how that goes), and then donating the rest to Goodwill.
{Closet II}
This includes accessories, hats, purses, and handbags. I have a problem when it comes to shopping; I buy things that I think are super cute, but that are likely not my style, and then never use them. For example, this coral purse in the background. Adorable as heck, but I'm not the kind of handbags, I'm more of a crossbody/satchel kind. So it sat in my closet for a year, maybe even longer. But same rules apply from clothes: Is it sentimental? Are you EVER going to use it/wear it? Would someone else find it more useful? That's the driving point in "We Were Liars" -- she gives away her things to people that want them, or maybe even need them.
{Books}
Books can either be easy or difficult to purge. But for me the "give to someone who will use it" rule is crucial here. There are some books I won't part with (my signed, first edition copy of "Looking For Alaska" that my boyfriend gave me, for starters), but there are others that I am willing to pass on so that someone else may find joy in them. Books can also go one of three routes: Goodwill, Library, or you can try to sell them either on your own or through a company such as Chegg or Half Priced Books.
{Phone}
As silly as this may sound, a quick and easy way to purge is by going through phone apps. Not only does it de-clutter your phone, but it can also help tame distractions. Ask yourself these two questions: (1) How often do you use it? (2) Could you live without it (and obviously I'm using the word "live" very loosely here). School apps, or bus apps are pretty important ones to keep, whereas photo editing apps and games can frankly stand to disappear.
** CHALLENGE **
Delete some, if not all social media apps. When you're bored in a situation (aka waiting at a doctor's appointment, taking a bus to campus, or killing time between classes), don't turn to scrolling through your lame feeds that you've likely already seen a few times. Instead, start carrying a book with you and READ, or a magazine if that suits you more, start doodling on papers, do something to stimulate your mind.
{Facebook}
Speaking of social media, there's nothing more satisfying that doing a good ol' Facebook Friends Purge.
+ Delete all the toxic people, the drama starters, and the over-sharers.
+ Good rule of thumb: if you feel uncomfortable wishing them a "Happy Birthday", delete them.
+ I know it's super fun to stalk people's lives, sometimes too heavily, but stop. Instead, start focusing on living your life.
** BONUS**
Purge some information from your Facebook. It's tedious, yes, but worth it. Go back through all your "likes", because if you were like me, you "liked" a CRAZY amount of silly pages that you thought were SO relevant in your freshman year of high school... so much regret.
Also, start to take down some personal information. If you've seen "Take This Lollipop" (though i very much DO NOT recommend it) you know how crucial this can be. After I watched it I privatized everything. Nobody really needs to know (or cares) what high school you attended, or the year you graduated. It's not a resume. Lastly, make sure your "groups" are not visible. I know was, and still am, in groups that are very specific to my college, or even my freshman year dorm. Or some people are in those Buy, Sell, Trade groups for their towns. Maybe I'm paranoid. Just be safe. Use discretion.
I can't even tell you how much better I feel after having purged through so many aspects of my life. I feel as though a million weights have been lifted off my shoulders. And I'm going to keep going. Never stop sifting through your clothes, never stop donating things you don't need, and never stop improving your well-being. Because that is what matters most.
♥K
♥K
