becoming a minimalist....ish

ive always got some new plan on how to make life better.  lately ive been purging all electronic toys and buying hazel toys that she can use her imagination with, along with creating activities to do out of natural materials.  birthday and christmas will be fun!

but this week ive come across information on how to become a minimalist.  it sounds like an awesome idea!  but hard to achieve at the extreme level that some people are.  these people have 5 shirts, 5 pairs of pants, and a couple pairs of shoes.  usually no dressers in the bedroom or side tables in the living rooms.  minimizing these things are proven to relieve stress b/c you have less maintenance, cleaning, and just liberating to live simply!

im realizing the more i read there is no right way to become a minimalist.  do what works for you.  it doesnt mean dressing or living like you are poor, but if you buy something new, toss out something old.  stop letting things pile up.  i will probably downsize some of my decor even though i dont have much to start with.  and as many of you know, i love shopping and clothes.... especially for hazel.  today i was able to purge more than half my clothes and shoes.  i dont know how i will do this with hazels stuff though.  im just starting small and moving my life into simplicity.  i think i will fall in between a organizer and minimalist.  i am doing this to mostly get organized and yes to feel like i dont always NEED NEED NEED.

since my last pregnancy loss, my shopping has been out of control.  ive been justifying hazel having so many new things b/c we are not having to pay for another child in daycare and other expenses.  its getting me into trouble!  i was reading a blog and it was talking about people shopping b/c it gives you a high and then you just keep doing it to feel good.  and it does feel so good :)  i love fashion shows after a day of shopping!  addiction!

so im trying to be realistic... i know i cannot NOT shop for a year like these people commit to.  but i am making a conscience effort to shop less and more with a purpose when i do.  purge a lot of things that we have not used for a long time.  and live a little simpler in little ways.  i may be back in a month and say i totally failed, but at least im making the effort at something positive.