So I have been a bit quite here on the blog lately. For good reason of course(more on that later), but at the heart of it is always my most important role; motherhood. There is a lot of transition happening for our family this year and the unknown is a bit scary but also exciting. But it has forced me to look at what is truly important for our family and lives at the moment. Which brings me to this season of my life and beginning the journey of embracing minimalism through motherhood.
It goes without saying that being a mom is such a gift. But if I am being honest with myself, it is a lot sometimes. I tend to get overwhelmed by stress and not always processing it in the best ways. I have found that the more clutter in my life, the more stress. It is one of the main reasons that minimalism appeals to me. Another reason is the fact that I am just tired of being tired. We only have one child and I am constantly picking up toys that have entertained him for a few minutes and then he is on to the next.
I feel a strong pull to create a life for our family that is filled with less things and more time and memories. Focusing on quality and not quantity. So I have come up with a few areas to focus on and to start this process and try to keep it a ritual.
Get rid of the stuff!
Obviously it is easier to start fresh with a clean slate. The Life Changing Magic of Tidying-Up has totally taken off after being a Netflix series, but I read it years ago when it came out. Taking the time to clear everything out at once is really hard with a job and children. But schedule the time! It always helps me when I can completely devote myself to the task at hand. Now I have no intentions of getting rid of all my son’s toys, but just going through everything. Getting rid of anything that is damaged or has missing pieces.
Keepsakes and Paper
There are definitely items of Dalton’s that I couldn’t imagine parting with. But instead of putting them in a box to go in the attic, I love using shadow boxes to put up in his room. He is also starting to get to the age where he is bringing home art from school and drawing at home. Rather than creating clutter, I want to find a company (always welcome recs in the comments) that can make books out of his art or frame pieces that would go nicely in the house.
Clothing and Gifts
Again, it’s quality over quantity! I feel like my son has way more clothes than I do and that seems crazy to me! A 2 year old does not need 20 outfits. The problem is that I share my love and life with someone who doesn’t always feel the same ways about minimalism that I do. It can be really challenging sometimes, but I can’t deny him the right to give gifts to his son. The same goes for gifts from friends and family. I have tried really hard to set up registries that our family can use. They can get him items that I feel would work for him in his development and that I would be okay with bringing into our home. But I can’t force anyone to understand or embrace the way I choose to live. I have learned the hard way that I don’t react to gifts that I haven’t asked for very well. It sounds silly but it’s the guilt and stress that I immediately feel knowing that I will be returning or donating it. I have a terrible poker face! So I am trying to decrease my anxiety by embracing the gift giving process. The act of love that one feels from giving you the gift is all that matters. What happens to the gift once it is given, is up to the receiver. Regular purging of items in the toy bin and closet are a must.
Support
One of the most important things moms need are other moms. Women in our lives that support or choices and champion our progress. There are so many resources out there supporting the minimalist movement and moms teaching their families to live more minimally.
So on that same note I want to say how thankful I am to have made friends in the internet world who have the same ideals about raising their families. So today we have teamed up to tackle a few different topics around motherhood and minimalism. Be sure to check out their posts!!
- Makayla sharing her minimalist baby play area at Little Me and Family
- Jayme talking about becoming intentional with on toys on Faith and Family Farmhouse
- Brittany with the minimalist hospital bag over at Not your Average Fox
- Angela explaining how minimalism benefits kids on Arrowhill Cottage
XO
Callie
