My favorite things are not things. They are people, places, and experiences. As a minimalist, I’m often accused of throwing everything away. Not true. And I do have a few really useful items that I plan to keep, as long as they serve my needs.
Here are some of my favorite things and why they work for me. Minimalism doesn’t mean owning nothing. It is different for everyone. And I thought you’d be relieved to know that I own some stuff. But more than that, there’s intentionality behind each and every item and why I acquired it and also why I keep it.
More importantly, I have chosen the best of the best because it’s easier to identify what I love instead of weeding through a pile of stuff I don’t.
If you are struggling to downsize, write down your favorite things and then look around. You probably see a lot of things not on the list.
But if you still feel overwhelmed, try tackling one drawer or one shelf at a time with the keep-approach. Experience the freedom of empty space, and fewer things to care for. Maybe just your very favorite things. Here are mine.
Items that Improve the Function of My home:
- Paper Filer – This designated boundary houses all the loose paper in my house. And we exchanged filing cabinets for electronic filing.
- Copper Bottom Pot – I can make any crockpot or Instapot recipe in this medium-sized saucepan faster, easier and with more flavor.
- Leaf Blower – Not just for leaves, but for cleaning the garage, deck, and driveway. So there is less dirt tracked inside.
- Moleskin Journal – My journal contains business and personal notes. While I love paperless options, this gives my eyes a needed break from the screen. I’ve used this Moleskine Gridlined Journal for over 20 years.
- Sling Bag – I use this sling bag in place of a purse every day. It holds my journal, wallet, sunglasses, earbuds and more. The easy to reach pockets and cross-body style allow me to be hands-free. And I can clip my water bottle and keys with carabiners.
- Home Organizing Bins – These bins come in different colors, shapes and sizes and I find them to be useful in nearly every room. But be careful, declutter first, organize second. And remember that more bins will not solve your organizing problems.
- Lego Storage Bins – These stackable bins latch and have the necessary “shushing” space for finding the exact Lego you are searching for. For years, we used them for all my son’s Legos.
Items that Add Value to My Life:
- Cord Organizers – These colorful “cord tacos” keep my cords from getting tangled and also identify which chargers belong to me!
- Lightweight Nylon Travel Bags – I’m not a packing cub girl. Instead, I roll my clothing and stick to one color palette. But I do love these lightweight bags for toiletries, makeup, and shoes.
- Travel Pill Case – This case has been a game changer for my vitamin routine at home and on the road. I like the size and look of it. It worked great for a 3-week trip.
- Devotional Notebook – My daily devotional has been books by author Shanna Noel for several years. I can redo her journals and they still speak to me. They are short, sweet, and a great start to the day. This one is my favorite and I think you’ll like it too!
- Kindle and Kindle App – I borrow electronic books from the library to my Kindle which means they are free and add no clutter. With the app, my book is always available for waiting rooms, car rides or unexpected free time.
Items that Make Me Smile:
This can be a slippery slope in terms of how many decorations to keep. Because it sounds a lot like the question “Does it spark joy?” This is particularly dangerous with sentimental items. As a family, we continue to pare down as our tastes change. It requires compromise and conversation. Our goal is to strike a balance between fewer decorations to take care of but not too extreme that it feels unwelcoming and sterile.
Here are some of my favorite decorations
- Grandma’s Plate – A sentimental item reminding me of Grandma Alice
Paris Photographs – I own many pictures of my favorite city (and some mini Eiffel Towers too).- Family Photos – The very best framed and changed periodically.
Are you inspired to tackle a room and keep only items that improve function, add value, or make you smile?
Need some motivation and accountability?
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I agree — my favorite things are experiences and people. But I AM interested in what copper bottom pot you use. I’ve thought on and off about a slow cooker, but if I can get something that do a lot of the same PLUS other things, I’m interested.
Hey Dawn – My copper pot was a gift from my mom. I don’t think it is a special brand, but its the right size and distributes heat well. I also don’t know that you need a new pot. I would start by experimenting with converting the recipes from slow cooker to a regular pot. You can do this more often than you think. I hope that helps.