Keeping up with the Jones'

I'm just going to come out and say it: stop trying to please other people.

There.  I said it.

This blog is about decluttering, organizing, and simplifying the items in your home...and so, I'll try to keep this post in that frame of reference, but it can apply to so much more in your life (if you want it to).


Let's all take a minute to look around the space we're in right now...
What do you see?
Look at each item and say what it's for and why you have it.  
(you can say it out loud, really...it's ok!)

How many items do you have to please/impress/show off to other people?
I'm talking big and small, old and new, expensive and cheap...all of it.


Now let's take a moment to close our eyes and imagine our space with only the things that we love/need/use.

What does it look like?
How much stuff is missing?  Still there?
How do you feel in this "new" space?


If your 'imagined' space is drastically different from the here-and-now, then you have some work to do.  Don't spend hard-earned money on things that are only being purchased to show off to your friends, family, or heaven-forbid--total strangers!

If you only surround yourself with things that are useful and beautiful to you, your space will feel better, most likely have less clutter, and can make your life easier and more peaceful.

(Obviously if you have a spouse, kids, and/or a roommate, they will have personal things that you can't just get rid of--but a conversation about what you're keeping and what you're not can be a great way to explore the idea of them clearing out some clutter too!)