I have learned it's easier to get by with less things in life. We have so many things that we identify with, but don't serve us any purpose. A lot of the things we have are associated with memories, and we feel attached to material objects. For example, I've heard people owning 15 or 20 shirts and they don't wear half of them. A simple method is to go through your closet and hold each item while asking yourself, "Does this make me happy or serve me a purpose?" or, "Will I wear it again?" If the answer is no, give it away. Really think about each item and how you feel when wearing it.
I gave away more than half my clothes before moving. Moving is so much easier with smaller piles of clothes and belongings. My life felt lighter and I didn't feel overwhelmed with countless items to keep track of. I felt more mindful when I picked out my clothes in the morning and thought about how many times I would wear that piece of clothing again.
Another method to reduce clothing or items in your house is to put the hanger backwards. If you wear the same article of clothing numerous times, the hanger would face the other way. It's crazy to think how many items we have that serve no purpose and are just sitting in their own place on the shelf, waiting to be used. We are often so lucky to buy and own those things in the first place that we often forget how grateful we are. People in third-world countries or those with low income don't have the chance to own those things. Simple things like closet hangers, stuffed bears, jeans that are too small or too big for us, books waiting to be (re)read or half-full perfume bottles can be everyday, mundane objects but are beautiful and worth more to others. Really think about how happy others would be to own those objects or think which would be the first object you would grab in case of a worst-case scenario. Which item is the most valuable to you? Which item can you not live without? Make a list of 15 things that are very important to you and try to reduce the number of things you own each month.
I have read a few articles of people reducing the number of things they own to 15 items. They choose 15 items that are absolutely essential to them like toothbrush/toothpaste, three pairs of shoes, two pairs of pants, a journal, a water bottle, a t-shirt, a photograph of their family or loved ones, a backpack, a phone to keep in touch with family while traveling, and books. Owning those things really puts your life in perspective and allows you to move more free. Be more grateful for the things you own! Remember that the best things in life are free; love, happiness, hugs, friends, family, breathing in the air, feeling the sunshine on your face, digging your toes in the sand, being with the ones you love.
