Feeling overwhelmed by toys and clutter? You’re not alone! Lots of moms wish they had more time to play with their kids, not clean up. Remember, our time with our little ones is precious. Wouldn’t it be better to skip putting away toys and spend that time having fun instead?
How do you define living a minimalist lifestyle?
Minimalist mom life means doing things on purpose, not just because. There’s no one “perfect” way to do it, but it’s about getting rid of extra stuff you don’t really need. As moms, we juggle so much! Minimalism helps us focus on what’s important to us and makes us feel less stressed and overwhelmed. Think of it like drawing a line: what stays inside the line is important, and the rest can go. Don’t worry about being perfectly minimalist, just aim to ditch the things you don’t really use!
How does decluttering help the well-being of a family?
Minimalism helps us see what’s most important: spending time with loved ones and making memories together. That’s way cooler than having a bunch of stuff that gets boring after a while. Memories last forever, but toys just sit there!
What brought you to this place in your life of living without clutter?
When I was younger (think late teens, early twenties), I was all about having the latest stuff. New clothes every Sunday for church? Check! I couldn’t stand wearing the same outfit twice! It was all about what was new and shiny. By the time I turned 21, I was even stuck with some credit card debt.
Fast forward to now, I’m 31, and so much has changed. Part of it is just getting older, but a big part is because I became interested in minimalism. You know, living with less stuff and focusing on what really matters.
There wasn’t one specific moment that turned me around. It was more like a combination of things. My husband definitely helped, and so did a visit to my parents’ basement. We saw all these boxes filled with stuff my dad had accumulated over the years. My husband said, “Wow, all this stuff just sits in boxes now, representing all the hard work your dad put in.” That really made us think about what’s important and what we want to spend our money and energy on. Now, I’m not saying I have nothing nice, but I definitely don’t need the newest, shiniest everything anymore!
You’ve got some cool tips for minimalist moms on your Instagram! What are your top 10 favorites?
1. Choose quality over quantity whenever you can.
2. Start decluttering in the bathroom; letting go of things there is easier.
3. Make lists on your phone for groceries, gifts, goals—anything! They’re handy reminders and a good place for a ‘brain dump.’
4. Delete photos from your phone every day to avoid digital clutter.
5. Create a weekly meal schedule.
6. Clean up your social media—follow only those who inspire and align with your values.
7. Say no to freebies like T-shirts and water bottles; you probably won’t use them.
8. Swap toys with another mom; your kids’ old toys will feel new when they come back.
9. Control your shopping desires by making a list of ‘I need’ before you shop.
10. don’t bring unsold items back home after a garage sale. Donate them right away, and keep a donation box in your garage or car for when it’s full.
What are your hard and fast rules in terms of acquiring new stuff?
Instead of buying new toys all the time, we play a “one in, one out” game. This means for every new toy that comes in, one old toy has to go!
If my kids see something they like at the store, we don’t buy it right away. We take a picture of it on my phone and keep it in a special list. This gives us time to think about it and see if they really still want it later.
When someone asks what to get my kids for birthdays or holidays, I check that list! It helps them choose something my kids will actually use and enjoy.
What do you recommend for mums who want to practice minimalism around their kids’ birthdays?
We follow the NEED/WANT/WEAR/READ approach for holidays and birthdays. I use Amazon lists and share them with family, explaining our intention to be mindful about what enters our home. I don’t expect gifts, but they can check the list if someone wants to give. For birthdays, I send other kids home with a treat or a craft instead of toys. This way, parents appreciate avoiding plastic or breakable toys. If you’re not intentional about giving, it’s okay to skip it. It’s not worth your time or money.
How can mums get their kids on the minimalist bandwagon without being a nag?
Kids learn best by watching, so lead by example! If you want your daughter to declutter toys and resist buying new ones all the time, she’ll notice if you keep buying stuff for yourself. Show her you’re simplifying, too, whether it’s decluttering your clothes, resisting impulse buys, or borrowing instead of buying new things. Sharing your journey makes minimalism more fun and relatable for her!
Any other tips/tricks/thoughts regarding minimalism you want to share?
Don’t get discouraged by the perfect minimalist homes you see online! There’s no one “right” way to do minimalism. If you’re getting rid of clutter and focusing on what matters, you’re on the right track. Remember, everyone’s minimalism journey looks different! As William Morris said, “Have nothing in your house that you don’t know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” That’s a great way to think about it! So, keep simplifying, enjoy the process, and don’t worry about comparisons.
