Many of you may not know that our family practices minimalism. I actually do not like that word because it associates with less, and our blessings are anything but.

I consider our life to be practical, pleasurable, and decluttered. That’s better.

Some of my friends have asked me the “hows”, but not the “whys” of our lifestyle, until today. I have never thought about it before, until I answered her.

The why is simple, it brings us peace.

We didn’t choose to one day just get rid of all our stuff, because decluttering is more than that. It is more than just possessions. To declutter is to rid yourself of all objects, thoughts, habits, and distractions that do not lead to the joy of living your purpose.

Now don’t you get up and start throwing everything away. Let’s discuss it further.

First things first, let us prepare. To begin decluttering you have to begin in thankfulness. I am thankful for all I have, have had, and will one day have. I walk and talk (for another blog post) with a sense of abundance. I am made for more, I was promised more, and I have to make room for more. Once you prepare that mindset and your heart…. then you will have the ability to begin to let go, and MAKE ROOM FOR ABUNDANCE.

Preparation is key because if you haven’t cleared your heart of the things that hold you down from future potential then you won’t be prepared to cleanse. You will end up feeling deprived and unsatisfied. I don’t want anyone feeling that way. The goal is peace, remember that.

On to debunk some myths about this way of life…

Myth: You have to get rid of everything.

Gut check: some possessions make you happy. That is totally ok friend. If my house was on fire I would run to get my photo albums and some of my childhood books. No, I’m not getting rid of my books, end of story. Be minimalist where it matters. If it doesn’t align with your dreams or greater purpose, chunk it. I buy enough clothes just to prevent from being naked, this is where I declutter, because it doesn’t matter to me. Rid yourself of all those distractions that prevent you from investing in the things you really love the most!

Myth: Keep it. You may need it, someday.

I understand the concept of investments, but I just go about it differently. I don’t buy things for “just in case.” When we initially bought our home, I was going crazy at the thought that I had to buy so much stuff to fill the spaces and stock up on things people who own a home need. Needless to say, I felt overwhelmed and was taken over with anxiety. Trying to decide what took priority. In the first six months, I needed a drill. I ended up calling my dad that day to borrow his drill. My father warned me that I needed to purchase our own drill. I said, “Why? When I can just come over and borrow yours.” He smiled at me. If you didn’t know, my father is legally blind. Not being able to provide for the family hit him hard. I know I can buy my own drill and YouTube how to work it. But the joy he experiences when he is needed, is much more valuable to me.

Myth: I deprive myself.

My purchases are usually well thought out. If I see something I like, I read reviews. Most times, this alone kills my desire to buy it. Next, I give myself time. After a week or so, if I still believe I want it, I know that it is not because of an urge. I have to be really careful with purchases because I get a terrible case of buyer’s remorse and it is not pretty. The things that I really needed and loved, never make me feel that way. We recently upgraded our computer that I have had since my freshman year in college and bought something economical. Well, in the first week the processor was slow and I was having to reboot it often. I told Derrick that night, take it back, and give me my Apple. (Which he talked me out of initially because of price.) I may limit the amount of my wants, but I don’t skimp out on quality.

Myth: That’s not feasible, with children.

Ah, the children. The primary reason we started this. Children aren’t much different than we are. Kids are flighty. Kids are easily distracted. Kids today have a sense of entitlement. Derrick and I moved forward with this lifestyle because IT HELPED OUR ANXIETY. Ha!

Living this way has helped our marriage but above all, our parenting. When we don’t have tons of stuff, we don’t have much to clean. Because the girls don’t have many toys, they focus on the things they truly love. Sophia will spend hours building with Legos and Jai spends hours doodling and coloring. Not being overwhelmed with options has helped them (and us) be able to FOCUS on what they love.

If you have ever been to the Newby nest, you can see we don’t have tons of furniture to take up space. Many people see a void, an area that needs to be filled. Funny thing is that, I do too friend. My children ride bikes inside, chase the cat and dog around, jump-rope when it’s raining. That empty space holds art galleries, forts, and movie nights. The void is filled with so much possibility.

Friends, you don’t have to declutter today. Slowly open up your home, schedule, mind, and soul for what really matters, to you.

Whenever and however you live, let’s all walk in thankfulness, while we prepare for abundance.

Always your friend,

Rosa