This time of year, like clockwork, pre-holidays, I get the urge to give away 40% of our belongings. 😵💫 Love how beautifully you’ve crafted the “why” behind this desire. I want a jewel box life, too.
Me too! Then I think about how much is about to flood into our home no matter how intentional we are with gifting. When asked what we would like for Christmas we always say “an experience” but it’s so hard for others to get out of the mindset that kids need lots of things to open.
I really love this. I have been working towards minimalism and less clutter for years. Sometimes with kids, it feels like an uphill battle. My biggest struggles with it right now are winter gear (so bulky and so many accessories!) And toys. I don't want to reflect on my kids childhood as always trying to get rid of their stuff. I want them to feel welcome and have enjoyment and imagination. I'm trying to troubleshoot these things to keep pursuing a peaceable home. A winter goal I have is better storage organization so I can rotate toys and craft supplies more!
It is imperfect, but we have an over-the-door canvas shoe organizer on the inside of our front hall closet to store all the mittens, hats, scarves. However, getting my kid to actually close the door so I don't have to look at it has proved challenging!
I love how you put this--feeling welcome and having enjoyment and imagination and a peaceable home. That’s the goal, exactly. I’m afraid of sweeping away my kids’ childhood sometimes. Let’s troubleshoot together 💗
Yes, yes, yes to a minimilast life! In a lot of ways it was so much easier when we were living in NYC and only had a limited amount of space. But we're trying our best to keep the same mindset now that we have almost three times the amount of space. We have SO many dresser drawers and cabinets that are empty. My hope is that they stay empty for a long time, until there is actually something that needs to fill the space. We just talked to our kids last weekend about how our family does not need a lot of things, but when we do need/want something, we try to get a quality item that will last a long time. We'd rather spend money on a few nice things than lots of things that won't last. Anyway, I love your mindset and I always love your writing.
That is such a good conversation to have and a really important mindset to intentionally cultivate while they are still young. It feels pretty countercultural. Always so grateful for you and your encouragement 💗
Love this, Ruth! I’m always working on scaling down. It’s one plus side to having moved so much, especially these past few years. I only keep what I love because the thought of moving it all again makes me want to scream. And I know there will be at least one more move in my future. This philosophy has even extended, believe it or not, to books. I buy hard copies only very, VERY rarely, and otherwise check them out or buy on Kindle/ Audible. For my clothes, I’ve adopted the approach of buying/ keeping only what is an absolute yes. I “backslide” 😆 from time to time of course, struggling at times with wanting more or buying something stupid. But I think of it as a practice that gets better the more you do it.
I really appreciate your philosophy about books and clothes. I’ve been buying too many hard cover books when I could go to the library for most of them. And yes, I love the thought of minimalism as a practice/muscle that gets easier to do/exercise with repetition.
I relate, Ruth. I’m currently struggling with how to manage all of the gifts and things that come over the holiday season… My husband and I have tried asking for more experiences, donating to charities, etc. but our families just don’t... I still have so many things in my closet/kids closets, including unused gifts that we haven’t let go of. Maybe it’s time.
Yes, It’s so tricky! My kids LOVE gifts, and I’m so grateful they receive so many gifts. We’re trying to teach our kids that they can find enjoyment out of sharing their gifts (before opening them) as well, but maybe that lesson also comes with time and maturity.
Wonderfully written. Each year around this time I find myself removing the unnecessary from my home. Just in time for Christmas with its piles of things from well intentioned family members. We also have a late November bday and 2 birthdays the first week of February. New things that need homes is overwhelming for these next 4 months.
Yesss, friend!! 🙌🏼 I love it! Do you do a capsule wardrobe for the seasons? I just put together another donation box with a humidifier and cake holder/cupcake stand & cupcake carriers I registered for and never used 🙈
I wish I could take that humidifier! 😆 no, I don’t do a capsule wardrobe. Do you? I’m not sure why I’ve never tried it. I’ve always been drawn to the idea!
What a lovely meditation: The jewel box life could be a book title. And thanks for linking to Living Small: I'm glad it has felt like a resource on your journey.
The Jewel Box Life as a book title 😍 (!!): goals, 💯. I very much admire and appreciate your substack. It has been a wonderful resource and something I’m always excited to read when a new post comes up.
Jewel box life--I love that so much! I’ve been on a very slow (lots of baby steps, stops and starts) journey to declutter our home for years and am really working to try and teaching my kids to appreciate quality over quantity (easier said than done--the plastic junk is like a magnet!)
You’re my kind of people 😉😍. But really, that is such a good activity to do together because it’s really about coming together and defining the season you’re in *right now.*
This time of year, like clockwork, pre-holidays, I get the urge to give away 40% of our belongings. 😵💫 Love how beautifully you’ve crafted the “why” behind this desire. I want a jewel box life, too.
Me too! Then I think about how much is about to flood into our home no matter how intentional we are with gifting. When asked what we would like for Christmas we always say “an experience” but it’s so hard for others to get out of the mindset that kids need lots of things to open.
💯. My kids don’t find the delayed gratification of “experiences” as much to fun to open. 😂 We’re working on it 😅
It does sometimes feel like there’s a fine line between abundance and excess. Grateful for your encouragement 💗
I really love this. I have been working towards minimalism and less clutter for years. Sometimes with kids, it feels like an uphill battle. My biggest struggles with it right now are winter gear (so bulky and so many accessories!) And toys. I don't want to reflect on my kids childhood as always trying to get rid of their stuff. I want them to feel welcome and have enjoyment and imagination. I'm trying to troubleshoot these things to keep pursuing a peaceable home. A winter goal I have is better storage organization so I can rotate toys and craft supplies more!
It is imperfect, but we have an over-the-door canvas shoe organizer on the inside of our front hall closet to store all the mittens, hats, scarves. However, getting my kid to actually close the door so I don't have to look at it has proved challenging!
That's such a good idea!
I love how you put this--feeling welcome and having enjoyment and imagination and a peaceable home. That’s the goal, exactly. I’m afraid of sweeping away my kids’ childhood sometimes. Let’s troubleshoot together 💗
Yes, yes, yes to a minimilast life! In a lot of ways it was so much easier when we were living in NYC and only had a limited amount of space. But we're trying our best to keep the same mindset now that we have almost three times the amount of space. We have SO many dresser drawers and cabinets that are empty. My hope is that they stay empty for a long time, until there is actually something that needs to fill the space. We just talked to our kids last weekend about how our family does not need a lot of things, but when we do need/want something, we try to get a quality item that will last a long time. We'd rather spend money on a few nice things than lots of things that won't last. Anyway, I love your mindset and I always love your writing.
That is such a good conversation to have and a really important mindset to intentionally cultivate while they are still young. It feels pretty countercultural. Always so grateful for you and your encouragement 💗
I love this, Ruth. Committed to so many of these practices along with you!
Thank you, Lisa! Yes, we’re in this together 💗
Love this, Ruth! I’m always working on scaling down. It’s one plus side to having moved so much, especially these past few years. I only keep what I love because the thought of moving it all again makes me want to scream. And I know there will be at least one more move in my future. This philosophy has even extended, believe it or not, to books. I buy hard copies only very, VERY rarely, and otherwise check them out or buy on Kindle/ Audible. For my clothes, I’ve adopted the approach of buying/ keeping only what is an absolute yes. I “backslide” 😆 from time to time of course, struggling at times with wanting more or buying something stupid. But I think of it as a practice that gets better the more you do it.
I really appreciate your philosophy about books and clothes. I’ve been buying too many hard cover books when I could go to the library for most of them. And yes, I love the thought of minimalism as a practice/muscle that gets easier to do/exercise with repetition.
Love this Ruth! You're inspiring me to do another round of purging clothes and things in our home! I love this perspective.
And call us weird, but if Scott and I get a weekend with the kids at the grandparents, we always enjoy going through our things and purging.
I relate, Ruth. I’m currently struggling with how to manage all of the gifts and things that come over the holiday season… My husband and I have tried asking for more experiences, donating to charities, etc. but our families just don’t... I still have so many things in my closet/kids closets, including unused gifts that we haven’t let go of. Maybe it’s time.
Yes, It’s so tricky! My kids LOVE gifts, and I’m so grateful they receive so many gifts. We’re trying to teach our kids that they can find enjoyment out of sharing their gifts (before opening them) as well, but maybe that lesson also comes with time and maturity.
Wonderfully written. Each year around this time I find myself removing the unnecessary from my home. Just in time for Christmas with its piles of things from well intentioned family members. We also have a late November bday and 2 birthdays the first week of February. New things that need homes is overwhelming for these next 4 months.
It totally is overwhelming! I am so grateful for the shower of gifts for my kids and also so overwhelmed by all the stuff needing homes.
Love the “jewel box” theory! 💗
I desire these things, too. Thank you for this beautiful email. Let me know if you ever want a minimalism buddy!
I do! I do! Let’s be minimalism buddies!!
Okay I legit was thinking “I need to tell Ruth!” as I fiiiinally put away my summer clothes and set aside a bunch of donations!
Yesss, friend!! 🙌🏼 I love it! Do you do a capsule wardrobe for the seasons? I just put together another donation box with a humidifier and cake holder/cupcake stand & cupcake carriers I registered for and never used 🙈
I wish I could take that humidifier! 😆 no, I don’t do a capsule wardrobe. Do you? I’m not sure why I’ve never tried it. I’ve always been drawn to the idea!
This resonated with me so much!! And the “jewel box” term is so lovely. Thank you for sharing ❤️
I’m so glad, friend! 💗
What a lovely meditation: The jewel box life could be a book title. And thanks for linking to Living Small: I'm glad it has felt like a resource on your journey.
The Jewel Box Life as a book title 😍 (!!): goals, 💯. I very much admire and appreciate your substack. It has been a wonderful resource and something I’m always excited to read when a new post comes up.
Jewel box life--I love that so much! I’ve been on a very slow (lots of baby steps, stops and starts) journey to declutter our home for years and am really working to try and teaching my kids to appreciate quality over quantity (easier said than done--the plastic junk is like a magnet!)
You’re my kind of people 😉😍. But really, that is such a good activity to do together because it’s really about coming together and defining the season you’re in *right now.*