by Brenda Putman

Created on: April 17, 2008

In today's materialistic world we are inundated with ads through emails, junk mail, and commercials causing us to feel overwhelmed and stressed into buying the latest and greatest gadget or fashion. This leaves last years' fashion or technology laying around the house or tucked away never to be used again. If walking into your home is stressful from the clutter of these items overwhelming your sight and senses it's time to simply your home life.

Organization has its benefits but can only do so much. Going out to buy tubs and shelving only to rearrange the mass quantities of goods in your home will only serve to add more lost space and do nothing for your mentality and sense of calm. You must address the source of the problem before you can create your sanctuary of a simplistic home. Start small and start purging those unnecessary items.

Throw out those years worth of magazines and hold onto the last three months. With today's busy lifestyle you'll never have the opportunity to read more than that in any given month. If you need an article from a back issue check out your library. Above all when you receive the newest subscription throw out the oldest.

Go through your wardrobe and donate those unworn, last season clothes. On average people wear 20% of their clothes 80% of the time. Stop holding onto those thin clothes that you keep saying you may fit into "someday". When someday comes you will more than likely want the latest fashion or be able to treat yourself by buying new clothes for your weight loss accomplishment. If it hasn't been worn in 6 months to a year get rid of it.

Most importantly when reducing the quantity of stuff you own, ask yourself one question. What is the true value of this item to me? The worth or dollar value of the item has no meaning if the item is not being used. If a pair of jeans cost $100 but you haven't fit into them for 5 years the value is $0.00.

Once you reduce the amount of materialistic items in your life and open up space in your house you will find a sense of calm, accomplishment and serenity that was forgotten in your life. Simplicity at it's best is to know what you have and that everything in your home has a value.

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