A few months ago, I trashed 95 percent of my socks. I replaced them all with knee-length HEATTECH black socks from Uniqlo, and a random gray pair and navy pair. Such a simple task meant I no longer needed to fold socks and keep pairs together.
Ninety percent of my pants are the same style. They are different colors and, a couple have patterns, but they are the same otherwise. Shirts are similar. Even my undergarments follow some unspoken rule of "sameness."
Eventually, I’ll get to a point where 100 percent of my wardrobe has uniformity so much I can get dressed in the dark and still come out looking well dressed.
It’s noted that successful people like Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, and former president Barack Obama all wore the same thing to prevent decision fatigue. I may not make such large decisions like they do, but making one less decision is freeing. I don’t want to think about such mundane things, and I don’t want to deal with huge piles of laundry.
I also got tired of losing socks and needing to rebuy them. The decision to revamp my sock drawer was because I had so many and ended up with ones that didn't have a match. By buying the same kind, and fewer of them, I pay attention to what I have and lose fewer socks.
Decluttering and streamlining has become popular. I recall the show "Clean Sweep," a show that ran on TLC for a few years, that was all about helping families declutter the mountains of junk they owned. Now, people rave about Marie Kondo’s "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up" — a book espousing another method of getting rid of your junk by asking if each item brings you joy. There are plenty of blogs and websites discussing the benefits of minimalism as well.
Regardless of how trendy minimalism and decluttering has become, most people can agree that the more stuff you own, the more you have to deal with.
In the winter time, I reach for the same pair of black gloves and the same gray scarf. I used to have at least 10 different scarves, but I’d always return to the same scarf. If I owned multiple pairs of gloves, I often ended up with several mismatched pairs. But it wasn’t until I paid attention to not losing my favorite pencil that I noticed the problem and its solution. The fewer items owned, the more aware you are of its existence. The caveat is it has to be something you frequently use or need.
With pens, for example, you can buy a box of cheap pens and never think of it when you lose one, because you have a dozen more (until you have none). But if you find a particular pen you like, you are more careful of where you place it. I prefer writing with Tombow Mono Pencils in 3B. They write well and are beautiful in their simplicity. I still lose cheap pens; I still use the same Tombow pencil, even though I do have a few extras on hand. I’m more aware of my favorite pencil's location, and I refuse to let anyone borrow it.
By cutting down on items I don’t need or want, and focusing only on those items I love, I’ve reached a point where I lose less. I’ve also reduced time spent cleaning and organizing and have reduced stress in decision making.
Of course, there are areas where people refuse to downsize, and that’s okay. It’s all part of trade-offs.
Over the past few years, I’ve created a decent collection of reference materials, PS Vita games, and adult coloring books. I have no plans to get rid of any of it.
You might prefer spending money on traveling than on home decorations. Or maybe you want a fabulous wardrobe and don’t mind giving up collecting DVDs or buying junk food to do it. There’s no right way to downsize, and you need not shrink everything you own to fit into a suitcase (unless that’s your thing).
The bottom line is to create awareness and simplicity. If you lose items often, purchase items only to find out you already had the item, or feel stressed with maintaining everything — then that’s a clear sign to reduce in those problem areas.
Below I’ve included reading material I’ve read that have useful information for getting started. These sources vary in their objectives, but all are useful in helping you focus on what’s most important to you.
Anuschka Rees: Formerly called Into-Mind, Rees' website is all about creating a wardrobe you love with simplicity principles. She offers step-by-step ideas for how to create a seasonal wardrobe, determine your favorite colors using a visual board, streamline you beauty routines and build confidence. She’s also got a book out called "The Curated Closet."
The Simple Dollar: I’ve included this personal finance blog on the list because it offers great insight on how to make smart purchases and determine what’s most important to you. My favorite posts from the blog include "Finding the Line Between Frugality and Deprivation" and "Financial Independence on a smaller income."
No Sidebar: This website is updated with practical and inspirational articles on building meaning and focusing on priorities. Those interested in minimalism and simplicity will find this site useful, as it offers topics including digital minimalism, productivity, and ideas for families with children.
Essentialism by Greg McKeown: A fantastic book that helps readers streamline their projects and to do lists. The premise behind the book is to narrow your focus and do those select things well. It’s perfect for those who are struggling with a massive project list and have trouble saying no to opportunities.
You Need A Budget: The best budget on the planet with a philosophy behind how to use it: give every dollar a job. It doesn’t chastize you for spending money, but wants you to be honest about your spending priorities. If you’ve got debt, get rid of it. If you don’t have an emergency fund, build one. If you like to spend money eating out or buying clothes every month, then plan for those expenses. They offer online classes, blog articles, and Youtube videos to help you get your finances in order.
