#simplicitiy

Flugsand / Ink, wax pastel on paper / 148 x 210 mm / 2019⁣

Campanile

Castell de Sant Joan de Blanes - Blanes

Although decluttering is only a portion (step) in the beginning towards living a minimalist lifestyle, below are some things people don’t always suggest decluttering but might actually be really helpful:

Underwear/Undergarment drawer

Household Cleaning Products Cabinet or Closet

Smart Phone (i.e. apps, contacts, accounts)

Accessories (i.e. necklaces, rings, bracelets)

Car *(if you have one)

1. Replace Plastic: Depending on how often you eat food in your dorm and what foods you eat, try owning two or three glass bowls and/or plates, with two or three of each type of metal utensil (fork, spoon, knife). Avoid having numerous plastic cups, plates, and utensils in your room. Set a bin in your dorm that’s designated for used/dirty dishes to wash throughout the week in your downtime like on your laundry days.

2. Multi-Use Castile Soap: I suggest, Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap (preferably, in the scent Lavender). It will become your shower caddy’s new best friend (and a few drops go a long way). Here are a few of its uses: Body wash, Face Wash, Hair Shampoo, Shave (legs, face, and underarms), Laundry Soap, Dish Soap, Clean tables, and floors. Do you understand how nice this is for a college budget?

3. Minimize Your Underwear Drawer: People tend to fixate on clothing and tools/gadgets when it comes to decluttering, but your underwear drawer is probably one you might dismiss or not realize as something that could use some major declutter. Throw away your torn undies, the one’s you don’t enjoy wearing or feel like “you.” Trial: go one week with all your undergarments and just naturally go with the ones you prefer wearing; when the week is over, the ones that are still left in your drawer are the ones you could probably rid from your drawer. In addition, if you’re comfortable with it, downsize the number of wired bras you own. Put aside one good push up bra, and one or two regular bra(s) and try going braless, have a few versatile bralettes, or use nipple pasties. Think about what brings you comfort and less stress, just as you would with your other belongings. **(advise to do socks and tanks too).

4. Organize Files on Your Computer: In your downtime, try setting up a file for every class you take on your laptop. That way, when the term is over you can just go directly to that file and filter out any unwanted papers or unnecessary downloads that you’re more than confident you won’t revisit again. Sometimes, the most satisfying downsizing/simplicity-oriented tasks are the technological ones.