Here’s a simple truth: The more items we own, the less we value them.
Our cupboards and closets burst with items we need to clean, organise, maintain, upgrade, store, and retrieve. It’s exhausting. But here’s another simple truth that fixes everything: The less we own, the more we use and enjoy what we have. I think of:
- my small, curated capsule wardrobe, skincare, make-up & jewellery collection
- my Tefal Mini-oven Air Fryer I use to cook most our meals
- the super-comfortable black Sketchers I wear every day
- my favourite 8-hour tinted lip balm by Elizabeth Arden
- my Hampshire Loveseat by Dusk.com
Owning less isn’t deprivation. Owning less makes more space for things that matter. Yes, we can fill our lives with whatever we want. We can keep adding until we run out of space, money, energy, patience, and time.
If we edit the clutter from our homes the way a writer edits words, we wind up with just what we wanted. No fluff. Just the pure and useful cream of the crop.
What Does It Mean To Edit?
Editing is a mindset. You learn to think critically about your belongings, purchases, and activities. You stop wasting your assets and start investing them in things and projects that return value to your life.
Editing produces quality. You stop adding freebies and junk, and opt for things that will last. You might spend as much money as before, but you spend it on the good stuff. You raise your standard of living without increasing your cost of living. You own fewer, but better.
Editing is a practice, like yoga or piano. You improve slowly, over time. Pretty soon you’re reasonably skilled. It becomes part of you – second nature. I started my decluttering journey back in 2019 and since then, I have parted ways with at least 90% of my overall belongings. This is, of course, ongoing, however, now I edit. I invest in quality over quantity and I keep only things I love, use and that adds value to my life – everything else, GOES.
10 Tips to Edit Your Life
Below I share ten tips on how to edit your life for better clarity, purpose, and fulfillment:
- Prioritise Your Values:
- Identify and prioritise your core values. Make decisions and set goals that align with what matters most to you.
- PROMPT: What are your top five core values? How does your daily actions align with these values?
- Declutter Your Space:
- Simplify your environment by getting rid of unnecessary items. A clean, organised space can lead to a clearer mind.
- PROMPT: Which areas of your home or workspace feel cluttered? How does this clutter affect your mental state?
- Set Clear Goals:
- Define clear, achievable goals for different areas of your life. Break them down into actionable steps to stay focused and motivated.
- PROMPT: What are three short-term and three long-term goals you want to achieve? What steps can you take this week to move closer to one of these goals?
- Establish Boundaries:
- Set boundaries in your personal and professional life. Learn to say no to things that don’t serve your goals or well-being.
- PROMPT: Where in your life do you need to set firmer boundaries? How can you assertively communicate these boundaries to others?
- Evaluate Relationships:
- Assess the relationships in your life. Surround yourself with positive, supportive people and distance yourself from toxic influences.
- PROMPT: Which relationships in your life brings you joy and which ones drain your energy? How can you nurture positive connections and minimise negative ones?
- Manage Your Time Wisely:
- Use tools like calendars and to-do lists to manage your time efficiently. Prioritise tasks that contribute to your long-term goals.
- PROMPT: How are you currently spending your time each day? What changes can you make to better align your time with your priorities?
- Focus on Self-Care:
- Make self-care a priority. Regularly engage in activities that promote your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
- PROMPT: What self-care activities make you feel rejuvenated? How can you incorporate these into your routine more consistently?
- Embrace Minimalism:
- Adopt a minimalist approach to both material possessions and commitments. Focus on quality over quantity in all aspects of your life.
- PROMPT: What possessions or commitments do you have that no longer serve a purpose in your life? How can you begin to let go of these?
- Practice Mindfulness:
- Incorporate mindfulness practices such as meditation, journaling, or yoga to stay present and reduce stress.
- PROMPT: What moments from today can you reflect on with gratitude? How did practicing mindfulness impact your day?
- Continuous Learning and Adaptation:
- Commit to lifelong learning. Be open to change and willing to adapt your plans as you grow and your circumstances evolve.
- PROMPT: What new skill or knowledge do you want to acquire? How can you start learning about it today? How has your perspective on a challenge changed over time?
Implementing these tips can help you create a more intentional, fulfilling life by focusing on what truly matters to you and eliminating distractions and clutter. When we edit everything, we’ll be happier with what remains.
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