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I may have adopted my minimalist mentality from Aunt Evelyn.  She was the self proclaimed “first career girl” in the family. (“Career girl” was progressive language for someone born in 1918.) Working in Manhattan all her adult life, she had a great sense of style, built an impressive wardrobe, and had all the right accessories.

You couldn’t throw compliments around too freely in Aunt Ev’s presence.  One day I said, “Oh what a beautiful pin!  It matches that outfit perfectly.”  She asked if I really liked it, took the pin off, and handed it to me.

Seeing that I was mortified, Aunt Ev reasoned, “The first half of life you accumulate things, the next half of life you give them away.”  In one gesture she demonstrated her generosity and her practicality.  She was simply finished with the pin and gave it to someone who would appreciated it.

As we mature, build our homes, and climb the professional ladder, we accumulate clothing, furnishings, and decorative objects to fill our needs.  Our friends remember our preferences via birthday and holiday gifts.  Before we know it, our homes are filled with collections comparable to those at the Smithsonian.

After your needs are met, for every one thing coming in to your home one thing needs to leave, or clutter will accumulate.  Professional Organizers often ask clients if an item is useful, beautiful in their eyes, or if they love the object.  If a negative response is received to all of the above, the item may have outgrown its usefulness.

If you’re trying to organize a room, ask yourself these questions:

• What is the purpose of this space? Items in the space should support that purpose.
• As you come across items that are not used in the space, ask, “Where do I use this?” Move the item to that area.
• “Does this item help or hinder my goal? If it’s a hinderance, a gently used item can be given to someone who will appreciate it, a’ la Aunt Evelyn. Donation is one of my favorite ways to deal with a bulk of items that are still useful.  If unnecessary items are worn or soiled be thankful for their usefulness and let them go.

Everything that comes into your possession requires care. Once you bring something home from the store you will be caring for it indefinitely.  So, make sure it’s really worth the investment.

The lifecycle of your new item goes something like this:  You spend hard earned money on it, possibly make payments on it, make room for it, wash it, dust it, polish it, fold it, maintain it, and eventually decide how to get rid of it.  Some people even hide it from their spouses.

Clients often tell me they feel a surprising sense of abundance after purging.  That’s because they are surrounded only by the things they love, clothing that fits and feels good, and rid of the burden of disorganization.

I believe the best way to stay organized, recycle, or save the planet is at the cash register.  If you set out to the mall to replace an often-used pair of shoes and see something irresistible on the way to the cash register, refer to these questions before you ring up that spontaneous purchase:

• Do I need it?
• Where will I put it?
• Can I afford it?
• Do I love it?
• Does it help or hinder reaching my goal of order?

Lastly, think about it overnight.  If you still need it, go for it.

I once read that Ghandi owned only a few possessions at the time he died: simple clothing, a pair of sandals, a pocket watch, and a pair of eye glasses.  While I believe minimalism makes for a simplified life, we don’t need to be as successful with it as Ghandi to reap the rewards. I won’t be parting with my anti-wrinkle cream, anti-frizz hair products, or make-up any time soon.  But, I set reasonable limits that save space and money.

Listen to the thousands of advertising messages inundating you daily with a skeptical ear.  Only you know what you need.  Be aware that space is finite.  If you want an uncluttered space be discerning about what you put in it.

Aunt Ev passed away last month, but she left me a wonderful gift and a life changing lesson.  You can give the perfect gift without spending a dime – a gift to a loved one, a perfect stranger via donation, and a gift to yourself – the gift of organization.

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Sue Frost

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