Miss Minimalist: Inspiration to Downsize, Declutter, and Simplify

When we’re trying to declutter, areté is a call to quality over quantity. Choose one pen that writes superbly over a drawerful of mediocre ones. Choose one gadget that functions flawlessly, rather than a slew of sub-par ones. Choose a small wardrobe of excellent clothes instead of a closetful of inferior ones.

37. Cook a week’s worth of meals at a time, and freeze for later (google “batch cooking” for recipes and instructions).

5. Let things go. Cherry blossoms fall at the height of their beauty, rather than withering on the branch. Allow possessions to fall from your life in the same way, like petals scattered to the wind. (For example: donate your wedding dress or heirlooms before they deteriorate in the attic.)

1. Seek beauty in nature, rather than in stores. You can’t buy a beautiful sunset, a star-filled sky, or a field of wildflowers at the mall—nor can you wrap them up, take them home, and display them on a shelf. Instead of filling your home with decorative objects, look outside to satisfy your desire for aesthetic beauty.

62. Limit the number of blogs you read. When you subscribe to a new one, drop an old one, so as not to increase your time commitment.

Moral of the story #2: Life is much easier when you have nothing to steal.

73. Forget about perfection. For the vast majority of tasks, good enough is good enough.

89. Don’t be overly sensitive. Sometimes others don’t think before they speak. Let careless remarks roll off your back, not ruin your day.

4. Use an online fax service. Instead of devoting valuable space to a fax machine, make use of an online service like eFax.com. If you only send faxes once in a blue moon, do it from Staples or a copy shop.