Thursday, January 16, 2014

Organizing Tip-Wreath Hangers


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I hope everyone out there is having a fantastic week.  I mentioned in my previous post about changing the name of my blog from Time to Organize to Time to Simplify.  I think the main reason for making the change was that I kept organizing the same stuff over and over again.  I went back and looked at some of my older posts and saw that I had organized the same bookshelf like five times.  I thought that was crazy! 

Since we have decided to start living a more simplified lifestyle, I knew my ways of organizing had to change.  If we are giving up more possessions and not replacing them with new ones, I am hoping this will mean less re-organizing the same space and things over and over again. 

I enjoy organizing and definitely think that it can go with living a simplified life.  We may have less to organize, but we still need the organization in order to have simplicity in our household and daily life.  Simplified organization.  So that brings me to todays organizing tip.

I wish I could take the credit for this one, but it was my husband who came up with this idea.  I didn’t even see him do it.  One day a couple of weeks ago, I walked into the bedroom and saw his robe hanging from the door.  I walked over and saw he had hung it on a wreath hanger!  Genius!  How simple and efficient.  We had used the hangers for Christmas, but that is honestly the only time I use them now, so I went and got the other wreath hanger and hung up my robe too. 

You can purchase these hangers just about anywhere.  I have had mine for years, so didn’t cost a dime!  If you are looking for over the door storage ideas, I think this one is awesome.  ‘'

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Photos by Rebecca Waits-Time to Simplify

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Starting Small


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Picture Taken by Rebecca Waits-Time to Simplify
Several months ago I came across a blog about living a minimalist life.  Becoming Minimalist is the blog and it has changed my way of thinking about the things I have and the world around me.  I had heard of living this way before but had never really taken the time to read about someone actually doing it.  Joshua Becker is the author of this blog inspiring people to live a more intentional life with less.  He shares about how he and his family started this journey and are continuing it today.  It is  a wonderful blog to read and I highly recommend it if you are looking at living a minimalist life.

So, I started looking at the things in our home and realizing we were living with so many material things that just didn’t have any real value in our lives.  I am not one of those people that can just wake up and decide to get rid of everything in our home that doesn’t work for us.  I decided to start small.  One space at a time.  One box at a time.  One closet at a time.  You get the point.  The box above is just one of those small starts.  It contained letters, cards, pins and many other things I have collected over the years and was hanging onto.  Why?  Because I felt that if I got rid of a card someone gave, I was taking something away from the person as well.  Does this way of thinking make any sense?  No!  I still love and care about that person with or without hanging onto that piece of paper.  Did I get rid of everything in the box at one time?  No!  But I did get rid of a lot.  I plan on going back through the box in a few months and letting go of more.  Starting Small!  Some of us need to go baby steps but at least we are going forward in a new direction of thinking. 

So, if you are thinking of starting on the road to a minimalist or simple lifestyle remember to take it at pace that is comfortable for you and if you need help, ask for it. Go online and search for blogs or sites that can lead and inspire you.

As a side note, I have changed the name of my blog from Time to Organize to Time to Simplify.  I will talk about that in the next post!  Until then, take some Time to Simplify and have a great day!

Here is a link to:
Becoming Minimalist

Monday, January 6, 2014

Trimming the Fat. So to Speak.


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Happy New Year! 

2013 went by in such a blur I can hardly believe it!  I have not blogged since October and really needed the break and time to think about how I wanted to move ahead with my blogging.  I have decided to stay but there will be some changes coming in the next few months, so be on the lookout.

No for some “fat trimming”.  I have been on a new path in life along with my family to live a more simple life.  For anyone who has done or is working on this type of lifestyle, you will understand that it can be a challenge.  We have made small changes here at home like clearing out things that were no longer needed to making a new household budget.  Over the next few weeks, I will share how we have been implementing a more simple lifestyle.

  I hope you will join me and I am happy to be here to blog in what I know will be an amazing 2014!