In the past one month or so, our family was busy doing a major tidying up (it’s not planned that way but coincidentally the timing was just right for the annual Lunar New Year spring cleaning) ever since we moved into this house.
It’s tiring but meaningful and worthwhile.
Even though there are still minor areas we need to clean up, it’s not too early for me to reap the benefits of a clutter-free home.
The principles outlined in the book “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing” fit nicely in the concept of what a minimalist home should be.
I didn’t expect the book can help me do that but that’s exactly what I wanted to do for my home: simple, uncluttered with clean lines.
Only by doing it (cleaning up the house) then do I see that there are more benefits to clutter-free home than meets the eye (literally.)
Here are some of the hidden benefits:
- Easier to clean – With less mess/furniture/boxes on the floor, the house is easier to sweep and mop. Instead of clearing the floor before the mopping, you can just mop it straight away. It can help save much time in doing the housework.
- Setting a good example for children to follow – While seeing us take so much effort in maintaining the home free of clutter, J and K also follow suit. The children are more convinced when you tell them what to do to keep the home clutter-free. Setting an example for them to follow is important and it’s easier to get them on board to do the same thing.
- Consume less – By getting rid of the excessive stuff that is hidden in your home will make you realize how much “rubbish” you have that is not used in years. This shocking discovery leads you to make a promise to yourself that you will not consume more than what is necessary. Many things we have are extras and can be thrown/given/donated. You will not buy on impulse or when items are on sale after this.
- Focus on quality over quantity – If you follow the way how Marie Kondo, the author of the book, chooses what to keep and what to get rid of, soon you will find that you only surround yourself with things that you truly love. Every corner you go, you feel so happy because you only bump into objects that bring you joy. You now focus on quality over quantity. This indirectly brings out the true meaning of less is more.
- We have more than we need – After tidying up the house, I began to realize that I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to own so many things – big or small – though most of them are not being used. To have a simple and happy life, we don’t need thousands of things. For example, clothing. You only need to have a few that you like and following fashion trend is really unnecessary. We must be grateful for what we have and shall not crave for more. Getting more is not the way and it will not satisfy our cravings, if it’s not stopped.
For more ways to simplify your parenting life, check out “The Nonconformist’s Guide to Parenting.”
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