If you want to get a kick start on your minimalist journey- why wait until the New Year? If you’re struggling with where to begin, here are some suggestions courtesy of the 12 Days of Christmas.
Minimalism on Female First
December 25th: A Partridge In A Pear Tree
You probably don’t have a partridge or a pear tree- but you could start by mentally putting aside some of the tree decorations that you no longer like. They will probably be on your tree right now- in which case make a mental note of the ones that no longer bring you joy and once the tree comes down you can get rid of them. Doing so now might brand you a Scrooge.
December 26th: Two Turtle Doves
Again, doves might not be your thing- however something that rhymes with doves are gloves. Why not tackle your winter accessory collection? The ones you enjoy and love will be out in full force but the ones you never use will be more apparent at this time of year. Put aside the ones that you aren’t reaching for ready for donation in the New Year.
December 27th: Three French Hens
I’m assuming you don’t have hens and even if you do- the last thing you should do is try to declutter them, so I am going to opt for something that rhymes with hens- pens. These little blighters get everywhere- so it is your task for the day to find every one in your home and put them in once place. Test them all for their writing ability and if they have dried up- toss them away. Keep only what you need and do what you will with the remaining ones.
December 28th: Four Calling Birds
Be kind to your bird if you have one and focus on the calling part. Clear your recent call history on your phone and while you are at it- take a look at your phone book. Who have you not called in the last year? You probably don’t have a desire to ever again- in which case delete the contact and keep only those people you call regularly or think you will need to call next year.
December 29th: Five Golden Rings
You may have been gifted a new set or piece of jewellery for Christmas- in which case- let go of an item or items to make room for your new addition. If there is anything else you see while you have your head in your jewellery box that you never wear anymore- put that away for donation too.
December 30th: Six Geese A-Laying
Today focus on anything you lie on… you heard me. Look at all the linens for your bed/beds. Which are past their best? Which ones do you never reach for anymore? Which ones have no matching partner? Keep only the ones that you use on your beds and find an alternative home for the remaining few.
December 31st: Seven Swans Are Swimming
It’s time to pull out everything you own that is related to swimming- costumes, towels, goggles, trunks, bikinis, swimming shampoo- the lot. What have you not worn or used in the last year? Whatever falls into this category is telling you it needs a new home.
January 1st: Eight Maids Are Milking
If you have any old milk cartons lying around, any milk that has passed its best in the fridge, old glass milk bottles or even little sachets that you might have pinched the last time you went out for a coffee- let them all go. And if you are vegan- apply the same logic to all of your plant-based milk alternatives.
January 2nd: Nine Ladies Dancing
This is your opportunity to sort through anything that you’ve used for dancing or clubbing in the past. Any shoes that give you blisters whenever you wear them on the dancefloor, outfits that you no longer want to bust a move in or even old glow sticks or memorabilia from your nights out on the tiles. The memories are far more precious than what you wore or what you managed to bring home with you after a good old boogie.
January 3rd: Ten Lords A-Leaping
Exercise DVDs. There I said the dirty word. You know the ones- the discs that made it out of the shrink wrap and were used once. You don’t have to tell anyone how much you leapt about your living room to said DVD, just get rid of it quietly to avoid ridicule.
January 4th: Eleven Pipers Piping
So, I’m not expecting for a moment that you start removing pipes form your home- but anything that might look like one is fair game. Odd straws, toilet roll insides, kitchen roll insides, foil or cling film inner tubes, wrapping paper cardboard tubes or anything else that looks similar. You get the idea.
January 5th: Twelve Drummers Drumming
This is a day to evaluate your musical instrument collection. Do you have an instrument you haven’t picked up in forever? If this sounds like you- it’s time to give it to someone who will make use out of it or sell it and make some money in the month when pennies are scarce.
Happy Christmas to all the budding minimalists out there!
