Day 9: Minimalism Game

Day 9:  Sweaters and Jackets...

What I kept, I wear.

winter jacket/working outside, winter jacket/dress

windbreaker, hooded sweater, long black sweater

gray hooded sweatshirt, green fleece, rain gear

black blazer

black/multi-color sweater

sweaters: green, purple, gray, red, 

black & white button up, green & navy button up

The 9 I am donating:   5 jackets and 4 sweaters

A combination of worn out and never really liked the fit of.

My only thought process was if the clothes I kept serve a purpose and are really used, 

and if I like the way they fit and the colors, etc.

The observations from this exercise? 

Jackets and coats are not the problem in my closet.

I really use the functional clothes I have.

A color palette is becoming clear: black basics with a range of autumn colors.

There are bigger piles of donations ahead! I have a definite t-shirt problem in my closet...

Day 8: One foot in front of the other...

Day 8:  Shoes

Today the goal was to get rid of 8 things.

 I have chosen clothing and shoes for this week. 

This morning I told myself I would get rid of 4 pairs of shoes and that would be 8 items.

Easy enough, right?

I ventured in halls and basements and corners and dug up the 7 pairs 

(and one of Rob's to make 8)  that I would throw away - 

they aren't in any condition to donate, just taking up space.

When I looked at each of the pairs of shoes I have, 

I realized how few of them fit me, were in a great condition, 

comfortable to wear and were actually useful.

I kept the shoes and boots I wear: short dress boots, tall dress boots, 

rain boots, hiking boots, gardening shoes, sneakers, dress sandals and slippers...

I see from what I kept that I really hate wearing shoes most of the time and prefer boots. 

Much more on the practical and useful side and less on the fashion. 

I will probably add in a basic dress show of some kind - 

something between sandals and boots,

but, for now, I am happy with what I have and what I let go of.

I am obviously not really fancy, but I have my moments, and still...

my kind of fancy prefers not to wear shoes!

This little exercise cleared a shelf in the front hall and a shelf in the back hall.

Now there is room for the shoes I actually use in a place I can easily find them 

and keep them in good condition. 

This might seem like a small thing but ask yourself if you 

are willing to take on the challenge...

bring your shoe pile down by half and see if you really miss them!

A New Kind of Game: Days 1-7

I really enjoy the writings and attitude of The Minimalists 

and although I missed the first round, 

I am playing The Minimalist Game for November...

Here's how it works - on November 1st, I got rid of one thing, the 2nd, two...

the 3rd, three and will continue on through to November 30th...30 things!

Here is my first week, not difficult to get rid of things out of excess, 

but I expect that it will get more interesting as the days go on...

I think the stories are important - so here they are. 

A bit vulnerable for me, but necessary for this process.  

Day 1: A broken frame, boxed and useless - tucked in between two pieces of furniture 

in the basement for, I would estimate, 8 years.

Day 2: The last of the television graveyard - two 15" televisions that are never used.

Day 3:  The story of FREE - Giveaway metal drinking containers, piled on a shelf, and very clearly collecting dust. My advice is to stay away from the giveaways...

Volunteer, clean up, give your time, but leave the free stuff there.

Day 4:  Four boxed things that haven't been touched since childhood 

or silly whims abandoned them.

Day 5:  Harry Potter Collectibles, dusted off for E-bay.

If they don't sell - they aren't mine and will leave the house another way.

It's important that my November be my stuff, but I can help get things ready for selling 

or donating if other family members want to play too!

Day 6:  Opened a drawer in the basement and found a strange array of empty containers and 

covers to things long gone...I think of this as the "what if I need it someday" dilemma. 

More to come on this as the days go on...

Day 7:  Miscellaneous cookbooks - duplicates or destroyed from use.

Books are being recycled or donated as needed.

Reflection from the first 7 days?  

There are 3 empty shelves and a couple of recycling bins ready to go.

I'm putting the Bagster out in the driveway and bagging stuff up to donate.

I am enjoying the Minimalist Game! I haven't known where to start, 

and even though this is a slow start, 

I expect that I will be changed by the end of it.

I am doing this to make room for people, and stories I want to write,

to simplify what I need to do each day and make my daily routine easier.

Who wants to play?

Start where you are and do what you can...

Less is most definitely more.