Less really is more

23 January 2013

I just spent some time as a houseguest of my friend, Shannon Wilkinson, who moved into her lovely home in Portland just six months ago.

Her two-bedroom townhouse is not as big as my house—in fact it’s less than half the size. Yet as I relaxed and worked in her house I kept thinking about how much more spacious it felt than mine.

And then I realized why: She has less stuff. She moved here from a substantially smaller house that she shared. She unpacked the essentials, put up some lovely decorative items and swiftly made it home. Then she stopped adding stuff. She doesn’t see an empty space and want to fill it. She enjoys clean surfaces. Her home is peaceful and lovely. And because there’s so little stuff, it’s easy for her to keep clean.

Shannon's beautifully clear desk

I'm inspired by Shannon's desk.

Now I’m heading home to the larger, 100-year-old home that my husband and I have lived in for years. I’m itching to declutter. I could probably get rid of half the stuff in the house in very short order, if I didn’t have my husband’s feelings to take into account.

As I look around Shannon’s house, appreciating the airiness and the clear surfaces, I can think of several spots in my home that are begging for a little attention. Do I really need all the things I keep on my desk? Doubtless not. I think I’ll let her space inspire me to remove and store (or donate) some of the items in my home office and see what, if any, of the items I store within arms reach I really miss.

This visit has given me the motivation I need to embrace the “less is more” philosophy in my home. I’m going to start in the areas I control (where my husband has no voice) and see if it can spread to the whole house.

I’ll try to remember to take before-and-after photos and chronicle this journey here in the coming weeks and months. Thanks, Shannon!

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Comments

Janine-
I agree 100% – clean surfaces make me feel calmer – even a less full closet brings down my blood pressure. I recently packed up 4 shopping bags of books to donate to my library and sent off a box of clothes I never wear to a friend. Next stop, the basement…

Jacquelyn Kittredge January 24, 2013 08:12 AM

Isn’t it interesting to discover where and how we get inspired? I enjoyed reading your experience about being in a less-full space and how that felt. In fact, how it made you rethink your spaces and how you might want them to feel. I’m looking forward to seeing what transpires next, Janine.

We live in a small home with lots of stuff. We are collectors of things and appreciators of objects new and old. However, rarely do the things overwhelm me. There’s order, but also a certain visual interest that just appeals to us. Like everything else, it’s a matter of figuring out what works for you.

Wishing you the joy making the changes your seek.

Linda Samuels January 24, 2013 02:02 PM

Jacquelyn, thanks for your comment. And bravo for parting with so many books!!

Janine Adams January 24, 2013 03:22 PM

Linda, you are so right! We all take inspiration from different things. I don’t usually enjoy a space that is too stark. I typically like more stuff around me. Shannon’s place was the most enjoyable combination of minimal with homey touches. Very inspirational for me.

Thanks for your good wishes!

Janine Adams January 24, 2013 03:23 PM

Hi, Janine – I’ve lately been seeing your interest in family history so I would imagine this will be fun for you, your journey to simplify a bit. I could imagine you recording or writing or photographing all these stories and memories. Be a neat way to merge your interests.

Sue West January 24, 2013 03:30 PM

Hi, Sue. Thanks for your comment! I hadn’t really thought about how the simplification process might fit into my family history research interest. Thanks for suggesting that synergy!

Janine Adams January 24, 2013 03:43 PM

Love this theme! Less is more… more time, more energy, more time to do what we love! I have been decluttering at my home too and seeing all the energy that comes from this!

Ellen Delap January 24, 2013 06:38 PM

Yay, Ellen! Your note is inspirational!! Hope to get a bunch done this weekend. Thanks for your comment.

Janine Adams January 24, 2013 07:08 PM

Amazing set of tips so as to have a clutter free organized home and office.

Steven January 28, 2013 02:06 AM

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About Janine

Hello! I’m Janine Adams — a certified professional organizer based in St. Louis, and the creator of Peace of Mind Organizing®.

I love order, harmony + beauty, but I believe that the way that you feel about yourself and your home is what truly matters.

If you’re ready to de­clutter with a purpose and add more ease to your life, you’ve found the right blog — and you’ve found the right company.

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