I jumped on to the organising bandwagon pretty soon. The moment I googled the word organising, I began to drool over the flawlessness of all the magazine worthy homes. I drenched myself in Pinterest and Instagram to find the cutest and the brilliant way to organise my home.
Eventually, I became a hoarder. I bought innumerable organisers; files, boxes, racks and holders of all size and shape. Days passed and my apartment started to look like an abode of organised junk. My planners were filled with gigantic wishlists, whooping project plans and my Pinterest was full of organising ideas, yet I wasn’t happy and peaceful.
By this time, our marriage was a year old and we moved to Bangalore. it was time to bring in more stuff as we set up a full-fledged home.
My interests shifted to learning photoshop online. In a matter of 4 months, I was able to handle Prabu‘s projects. My days were packed with work – cooking, cleaning, organising and editing. I felt I had no time to entertain or even to just relax. I tried to infuse a lot of system around the house and split chores, but still, I was overloaded.
One rainy afternoon, I was editing a complex picture. Since Prabu didn’t teach me photoshop, I had my own way of handling a project. Seeing me struggling with it, Prabu for the first time saw how I edit.
‘First, make a grid(partition), remove what is unwanted and then start fixing’, he told.
This method was ridiculously easy. Earlier I was just all over the image at once. This methodology gave a new perspective on life. I began to tackle real world situations the same way.
I set up a grid for my day. Listed all what I like doing and what I don’t. I got into every detail.
I don't like | I like to |
---|---|
arranging things all the time. | read |
putting away huge piles of dishes after wash. | meet a lot of people |
I love to travel/explore but hate to drive in Bangalore. | write |
to break my head to think - whats for lunch tomorrow ? | travel |
wasting food | just relax |
going to the gym | watch a lot of movies |
packing and unpacking | research |
my shampoo | |
to see my wardrobe full of clothes and feel there is nothing to wear. | |
seeing my huge wishlist | |
etc | |
The want list was just a few and simple ones. What I understood from the grid is that I was caught up perfecting my routines than being creative, which is what I love to do. The answer to all my frustrations was minimalism.
What is minimalism?
Doing only what you extremely love to do.
Eliminating unwanted thoughts, actions and stuff.
Possessing things that are an utmost necessity.

What Minimalism has done to me ?
* I love myself.
* I live a life of Contentment.
* Minimalism has brought in radical changes in my mindset, habits and actions.
* I lead a life, driven by passion and not materialism and consumerism.
* There are only very few things around. Thus, organising and other chores have become way too simple and easy.
* Gained more time, to do things I love to do.
* Extreme gratitude for people around.
* Connected with a lot of people like never before.
* My vision is clear and achievable.
* My family’s health has improved.
* Wishlists and to do list are lot less and simple.
* I read more, see more, laugh more and live more.
* Respect, love and admiration for Mother Earth intensifies each day.
Action steps:
Want to feel the same way as me?
Make a grid. Make a detailed list all that you like to do and don’t like to do. This will make you aware of how many things you do in a day that you don’t like doing it. We do a lot of activities/work without even knowing if we like it or not. Reflect on this thought as you do each activity.
‘Being aware of your fear is smart. Overcoming it is the mark of a successful person’ – Seth Godin
My version:
‘Being aware of your dislike is smart. Overcoming it is the mark of a successful person’.
In the coming weeks, you will get to read how I reduced my dislikes list….. no definitely no…How I completely wiped off my dislikes list.
Worthy read sister.Prabhu’s Photoshop a clarion quote.keep going.
Thanks Prashanth.
Very nice nandhu. As u tell being organised in kitchen saves lot of time not in searching things were V kept. Keep doing nandhu. Good to hear.
True Udhaya. Having fewer things also saves a lot of time.
Your views on minimalism is fantastic,I think I’d follow nandhini….
Thanks, Kavitha. Though not easy, it’s highly achievable.
Hi, I chanced upon this blog through a post in Instagram. I have read this post at the right time 🙂 I have just started to go minimalist and this is very inspiring!!
Thanks Nivetha. Minimalism brings in peace within you and the environment. Good Luck
Nandhini, minimalism is a great idea indeed
Glad u wrote about it
Shall try to adapt and work on how to impart it in my life too
For we seem to be wasting quite a lot of our valuable time in things that we dont like ……….
I would lov to ponder about this more and benefit
Thank u
Minimalism helps to reflect and let you know what you really love and what’s best in you. Happy that you are interested, wishing you many more happy life.