Years ago, I heard an organizer talk about how we only use the “Top Third”. What he meant was, we own a stack of t-shirts, but rarely wear items beyond the top third of the pile. You can apply this every category in your closet, blouses, shorts, t-shirts, jeans, and sweaters.
But what about other belongings? Do you have a favorite pair of sunglasses or gloves? Maybe you prefer one umbrella. So, why keep the rest? Here’s the case for owning one or at very least, for owning a lot less.
WHY JUST ONE
- My items are of high quality and fair trade. Are they more expensive? Yes. Are they high quality and made to last? Yes! And they are made with labor that pays a living wage.
- The average person loses 9 items per day. Have you ever re-purchased something because you could not find it? Minimalism spares this cost because it’s easier to locate items with less. Consider setting up a landing spot to corral your keys, phone, and wallet. Practices like this mean fewer things lost and less time wasted.
- Once upon a time, we had a closet full of warm winter coats. Now, my husband and I each own two coats. And just one for my son who grows out of everything in a year. The extra coats, hats, gloves, and scarves were donated to charity. Minimalism promotes good donations that serve those in need.
- Owning less means we buy less and save more. Financial security goes hand in hand with minimalism. Decluttering is great but if you don’t address the behavior that got you there, the piles of clutter will quickly return.
“Personal finance is 80% behavior and 20% head knowledge.” –Dave Ramsey
Where might you own just ONE of something? Gloves or a hat?
What about keeping 1/3 of your towels?
T-shirts? Could you declutter 2/3 of them? Pick a category you can declutter today!
[…] find it so I’ll buy another one” syndrome. This leads to more clutter and unnecessary duplicates that are lost again. If everything has a home and is easy to find, you’ll be organized and […]