Alright folks, let’s dive into this “things that are light” experiment I did. It wasn’t some grand plan, more like a “huh, I wonder…” kinda thing that spiraled into a full-blown decluttering mission. Buckle up, it’s gonna be a bumpy, slightly embarrassing, but hopefully helpful ride.
It all started with my backpack. I was lugging this thing around, felt like I was carrying bricks. I remember thinking “Damn it， why so heavy？”So, I dumped everything out. And I mean everything. Pens, chargers, random receipts from like, three years ago. The usual suspect of junk. I start to take out all the things.
First things first, the obvious stuff. The old receipts? Trash. The three half-used notebooks? Consolidate. I merged them into one, less bulk. Then came the harder part: the “what ifs.” What if I need this specific pen? What if I need this ancient USB adapter? I started asking myself these questions.
That’s when I stumbled upon this “5-4-3-2-1 method” thing online. Five shirts, four pants, three accessories, two pairs of shoes, one swimsuit for a week. Sounded wild. I decided to give this a try.
It’s not a trip I am packing for. It is the minimalist lifestyle I am aiming for. So I reinterpret it into my own version. Like my wardrobe. Five shirts I actually wear. Four pants I actually like. Turns out, most of my clothes are just taking up space. They went straight into donation bags.
Then came the digital stuff. My laptop was crammed with files I hadn’t touched in ages. So I started deleting or archiving old projects, photos I didn’t even remember taking. It felt good, like a digital detox. Really, it does make me feel lighter.
The biggest challenge? My books. I love ’em, but I’m honest, I reread the same five all the time. So, I decided to donate most of them to the local library. Keeping only the essentials. Yeah, it stung a little, but my shelves look way cleaner now. And I can find things!
Okay, so what did I learn? Less is truly more. It’s not just about physical items, it’s about mental clutter too. Once I cleared out the unnecessary stuff, I felt more focused, less stressed. I started practicing mindfulness and paying attention to how things made me feel.
And now? My backpack is lighter, my apartment feels more spacious, and my head is a little clearer. It’s still a work in progress, but I’m getting there. If you’re feeling weighed down, try it. Seriously, just start with your backpack. You might be surprised what you find… or what you can get rid of!
- Start small: Don’t try to declutter your whole life in one day. Pick one area and focus on that.
- Be ruthless: If you haven’t used it in six months, you probably don’t need it.
- Ask yourself: Does this bring me joy? If not, bye-bye.
Good luck, and happy decluttering!
