Think

Mindful Acquisition

Categories Consumerism, Find Your Why, Goal setting, Priorities, The Rightsize Approach, ThinkLeave a Comment on Mindful Acquisition

In 2017 on Joshua Becker’s website Becoming Minimalist, he revealed that the LA Times reported that, ‘There are 300,000 items in the average American home.’ At some point we have either bought or been given these items over the course of the home’s life cycle. Contemplating the true cost of what and where we purchase our consumer goods from will contribute to the wellbeing of not only ourselves but the health of our planet as well. Before we decide to buy something we should consider the ethics, including the carbon footprint this object made before we commit to adding this to the colossal amount of items we already own. Buying local items or objects that have been crafted from sustainable materials that also can be recycled is a positive move in the right direction for us as a global society. Even before we are at the check-out we should consider some of the following:

Mindful Acquisition Questions

Why did I come shopping today?

Is this object, item or product something I need or something I want?

Can I afford the space and the dollars it will cost to own this?

If I wait to purchase this what will be the consequence?

In the words of Reverend Billy from the Stop Shopping Gospel Choir, ‘Give me the power to stop shopping!’ Knowing the answers to these questions will allow you to become a more Intentional Shopper. When you are an intentional shopper you purchase goods with clarity that are fit for purpose. By taking a moment to reflect on why, what and how we buy items we can reduce the fixed mindset of the Hyperconsumption cycle of work>buy>spend, allowing ourselves to progress into a more growth mindset using the Mindful Acquisition cycle create> live> share.

NoPlaceLikeHome

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Reuse

Categories Home, Memories, Recycle, ThinkLeave a Comment on Reuse

Before we RECYCLE certain items it may be possible for us to reuse those consumer products that are intended for single use. In doing so this may reduce our need for duplicate purchasing of these items in the short term. Frequently used liquid vessels such as water bottles or takeaway coffee cups and accessories including straws or cutlery can become more sustainable objects by owning reusable versions of these. Reusing paper; bottles; jars; single-use drink; takeaway containers; shopping bags; plastic plates; eating utensils and furniture. Thinking creatively on how to reuse these items before they are recycled is a great way for us to extend the usefulness of these objects and/or their packaging. Use jars to store your spices and/or small objects like paperclips or hair elastics. Once washed, use your takeaway containers to store your own leftovers for freezing or for lunch the next day.

Try your hand at upcycling, by painting a piece of older furniture a bold colour to give it a new lease on life. You may even learn a new skill that can give you joy and assist you to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle. My mum has always been an ‘up-cycler’ well before this craft-form became popular. In my first family home, we had a 1960s kitchen dresser that was painted bright glossy yellow with glass sliding doors; by the time I was a teenager it was matte black with brass handles and the doors removed. This piece of furniture was a quality item that with a few modifications over time was able to grow and change with our family’s needs.SustainableYou

**2020 Special Book Pricing** Click here to order your copy for $20.00 plus $5.00 for shipping anywhere in Australia http://bit.ly/2020RightsizeYourLife

Object Classification

Categories Clutter Mangement, Donate, Keep, Object Classification, Recycle, Sell, Think, UncategorizedLeave a Comment on Object Classification

Object Classification is the category we assign an item from a list of ten headings. When we have an understanding of what an object means to us and we know its classification we can make choices relating to ‘keeping or not keeping’ this object in our lives.

The ten Object Classifications are the following headings: Essential, Luxury, Significant, Given, Sentimental, Heirloom, Recreational, Seasonal, Legacy and Maybe. If we know what something means to us we are better able to understand why we need to keep it. It gives us a representation of what are the most valuable things we own. The Rightsizing Rule for this process is if an object is placed into two or more classifications it will be immediately become a ‘keep item’. You will appreciate this classification process when we come to our Rightsizing solutions in Chapter 11. We will be able to use the classification headings as a way to embrace our project strategies.

YouAreYourMemories

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You Got This

Categories Clutter Mangement, decluttering, Division of Objects Framework, Rightsize Your Life! The Balanced Approach to Living Better With Your Belongings, The Rightsize Approach, Think, UncategorizedLeave a Comment on You Got This

You Got This

 When we set sail towards any new horizon it is important to design our intentions to align with our needs and our wants. Now we know WHY, HOW and WHAT will be accomplished during our project, next we will need a set of dependable strategies. This will add another layer of success to how we sort and divide our belongings. The last heading in the Division of Objects framework is the word THINK. This word is double sided in its meaning within the confines of The Rightsize Approach. THINK is to direct our minds to actively create connections between ideas or objects. We firstly can THINK about which strategy to use in our chosen project or as a standalone option for Rightsizing our lives. I have included the twelve To Keep or Not To Keep accountability strategies that have provided and benefited my clients with successful outcomes. These each follow the mantra of the Rightsize Process of breaking down big tasks into smaller, more manageable tasks that will assist us to achieve the best results. Secondly, THINK is a category for items to reside in for a short while, until we can best decide their fate. The THINK was only added once I had begun my own journey in assisting tenants in the social housing sector.

 

One of the very first clients I had the privilege to work with showed me that a neutral segment was a necessity for this framework to be complete. Together we created THINK as a small platform of breathing space for some of her belongings to rest in whilst we were sorting her KEEP items from her DONATE items. Rightsizing requires many facets of our minds to be working all at once. During this time our emotions will be heightened, our memories will be triggered and we will be in constant state of decision making. Following and using the strategies in this chapter will assist your process and take the guesswork out of what strategies actually work. Using the Five-Minute Meditation for Rightsizing will allow you to become centred as you begin your projects. You can trust that these mini road maps will provide you and/or your project with the guidance you need to start, finish and complete your Rightsize journey.