This is part 7 of my minimalism series. To read the other parts, click HERE.
I did it! I successfully completed my minimalism series. *Stands up and wriggles waist*. In this final week, I wanted to minimise spending but I'm not much of a spender so there was really nothing to minimise. So I took the plunge and decluttered the homeschool area instead. I've been meaning to do this for months but I just couldn't find the time for it.
The homeschool area in our home is in the basement because we don't have space for a seperate homeschool room. So we chose a corner of the basement to keep the kids' toys and books. This area quickly became a junk yard. It always looked like something was about to fall, considering how some of the larger toys were swaying to the side. Here is a before picture. *Bows head in shame*
Books were mixed with toys, toys were mixed with books, it was a complete mess.
The first thing I did was place a carton in the middle of the area. The carton was for everything trash. There was a lot of trash among the toys and books. These included:
- Colouring books that had been coloured- no need to keep them
- Crafts from the yesteryears - if I keep every craft the kids make, my home would be filled with crafts
- Drawing books and papers filled with drawing - I selected a few memorable ones and filed. The rest went to trash land
- Puzzles with missing parts - puzzles are my nemesis! The things are everywhere!
My carton filled up very quickly and I had to add a trash bag to carry more trash.
At the end of the day, the area was more breathable and more functional.
We only kept what we need and now I know where every book is. It was such a pain to search through the mess before to find a book.
Did I mention the kids helped me with this? They were so excited to help! At the end of the day, we did the "team work thing" which means we placed our hands on each other's then raised them up and shouted "teeeeeam work!!!" There's so much fun around here.
Thanks to each one of you for going on this journey with me. Minimalism is a lifestyle and I'm only just getting started. I'll continue to blog when I minimise other things but our weekly Tuesday series ends today. Hope the whole thing inspired you somehow.
Here is a recap of what I posted in the past weeks:
Intro Week: Why I want to become a minimalist
Week 1: How I decluttered my kitchen
Week 2: How I decluttered my wardrobe
Week 3: How I decluttered my belongings
Week 4: Overcoming social media addiction
Week 5: 3 ways I am minimising waste
Week 6: On living stress-free
Thank you for letting me share! Are you a minimalist or a wannabe minimalist? How do you stay organised and stress-free? Let's talk!
Tamie says
You did it.
Well done Precious.
Precious says
Thanks Tamie!
Kachee says
Awww! Well done!
Love how it turned out. And I remember pieces of puzzles being everywhere in our house when we were much younger. Glad the girls helped. I'm sure they're pleased with how it turned out.
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Precious says
Puzzles everywhere could be so annoying.
Thanks dear!
Bola says
Wow! Well done Precious.
My children are always scattering their room,giving me more work to do all the time.
But now I make them arrange while I supervise, I can't kill my myself.
It's been a while P, hope you are goo?
Precious says
Ahh let them help oo. I want them to learn how to arrange now. That way they think twice before scattering anything. Lol
I'm good, dear. Working on the back end of the blog.
Dominika says
Yes oo Precious! the whole minimalism thing inspired me to be more organised, calculative,it's so therapeutic. Thumbs up Presh on decluttering your children's home schooling space and on completing your minimalism series. Cheers!!!
Precious says
Awww thank you, dear. So glad to hear how much it inspired you. There's nothing like being more organized. Cheers
Bisola says
Congrats dear on seeing it through. It's been inspiring, fun and educative watching you do this.
Precious says
Awww so glad to hear that. Thank you for following along with me.
Damiloves says
Welldone!! Thats great that they helped out. I remember leaving all my books on the dinning table when I was younger!!
Does true love exist?
Precious says
I know right. My hope is that they learn how to be organised right from this early age. So help me, God.
Zinny says
Great job Precious! It looks really tidy, I like how it turned out.
http://www.zinnyfactor.com
Precious says
Thanks Zinny! Hope you are good.
Bubu Green says
Awww Weldone dear. I love the fact you're doing a great job home schooling. Puzzles you say? They annoy me, I just pick any piece I see and put it in the trash. I used to feel guilty but now I don't. Lol. I've tripped over Lego pieces too and it's not funny. I had to just find a way around it, trash it! Cos they don't even know it's missing. When they finally remember, we get a new one.lol. It's been ages here. I miss your blog.
http://www.bubusboulevard.com
Precious says
Hahaha I trash puzzles too. Puzzles cannot come and take over my home. Lol
Long time, dear. I am good. Hope you are too.