Minimalist Mom

Recently my 3-year-old and 2-year-old were laying on a blanket chatting with our infant. It was a sweet moment. My 3-year-old called to me, “Mom, come take a picture of us!” I was in the middle of washing dishes amongst an overwhelmingly cluttered kitchen. Instead of embracing this moment with my three babies, I answered, “I can’t. I need to clean.”

I would love that moment back. A moment to be able to breathe in and enjoy the sweetness of my three babies happy together. A moment to be able to recognize what is most important. A moment to love the people around me and not be consumed by messes.

That is the freedom that minimalism brings.

Minimalism is a lifestyle that helps people sort out the things that do not add value to their lives. It is intentionally keeping only the things that are most important. Minimalism is freedom from overwhelm. It is focusing on purpose and people. It is reclaiming your time. It is consuming less and loving more. By clearing away the clutter – and toys! – we can make room for our relationships and have energy to contribute more.

I am on an ongoing mission to be a more minimalistic mom.

I recently purged the room my two little boys share. I asked if each item in their room added purpose and if it was something the boys truly loved. If it didn’t, the item was donated. If it did, it could stay. When I was finished, I was worried my boys might remember some missing toys but instead my five-year-old said, “It’s so much better and easier to clean up. Thanks for having this idea Mama!” Now every time I enter their room I can breathe more deeply. There is more room to play and wrestle. Less toys to spend time picking up and tripping over. It is a more peaceful place. Less toys make for more creative play in a relaxed environment. And every single night before bedtime I can set a three minute timer and when it goes off, every toy has been put away. Just three minutes to clean their room!

Below are some pictures of how I am trying to implement minimalism in our 2,500 square foot home as a family of 8.

It is an ongoing process for me as the clutter fights its way back in daily. But by trying to live minimalistically I have more time for my children. More time to look into their eyes. More time to simply sit together on the couch and chat about the day.

Magda Gerber said, “Observe more, Do less, Enjoy most.”

This is what I want for myself as a mom and for my children. I am trying to be the mom I want my kids to remember. Do I want my kids to remember me always stressed and nagging to clean up toys? No way! There are still chores to be done, but by clearing away unnecessary clutter and finding daily cleaning rhythms, I can be a mom who has time to enjoy my family.