The Argument for Downsizing
As a professional Interior Designer I can speak to the topic of “Why You Should Downsize 15% of Your Belongings.” In reality we only use or wear approximately 25% of our items 80% of the time. As I’ve been telling my clients for many years, “less is more.” This is the advice I always give when it comes time to accessorize, usually at the end of the project. Not all of my clients take this advice and certainly not the ones that collect art, or have particular collections.
But here’s what I’ve found as I’ve started packing my house up to move this year. Last fall I started clearing out closets, bookcases, and drawers. I found so many clothes, shoes, books, and home décor pieces that I had forgotten about and didn’t wear or use, so I donated all of them. Unless I consulted the list of items I donated to charity I couldn’t even tell you what those items were, so obviously I didn’t need them and don’t miss them. The reason to donate 15% of your belongings is because not only will it open up more space in your closets, it will open up more visual space in your home. What does “visual space,” mean? It’s the space all around us that we observe when we are in a space. When we take out 15% of things in a room we will feel calmer and more peaceful. This doesn’t mean a room can’t be visually pleasing or boring, quite the opposite.
In the 90’s shopping was an American past time or form of entertainment, so many of us accumulated way more things for the home than we need, want, or actually use. Subtracting 15% of your belongings will give you an uplifting feeling and free you from having to maintain so many things.
By donating your items to charity you are giving them a second life, and making someone else happy in the process. It’s a win win!
In the twenty first century we have on-line shopping which makes it even easier to acquire and accumulate stuff. So I recommend getting yourself off of store mailing lists, newsletters, and catalogues. This will help curtail excessive shopping and acquiring.
Having less will give you more time to enjoy life!
