I’ve finally reached a point in my life where I can confidently say we’re minimalists. Yes, even with a family of eight who homeschools!
So, what does this really mean? It doesn’t involve living in a bare white house or tossing all our belongings. And no, not everything we own “sparks joy.” For us, it means focusing on quality over quantity, because sometimes less is more when you focus on the right things.
At first glance, minimalism with a big family might seem impossible, but I think families with kids need it more than anyone. With six children and everything that comes with them, it was time to set family priorities and declutter.
Let me clarify what minimalism means for us. It’s not about having a magical, always-tidy house. It’s a journey, not a destination. I’ve shared before that I’m not naturally organized. Over the years, I’ve tried to create order amidst the chaos of raising kids. But as our family and business grew, clutter started gaining the upper hand.
I explored various decluttering methods, but they didn’t quite fit my personality. I found some success with the KonMari method, but as our children grew, the clutter crept back.
I thought maybe we just had to accept organized chaos, but I wondered if we really needed to settle. Perhaps our hopes for a clutter-free home weren’t in vain. Then, I discovered “Clutter-Free Kids” by Joshua Becker and his blog Becoming Minimalist. His insight made a real impact on our family’s approach to minimalism.
In Joshua’s story, an ordinary day led him to realize that his belongings were subtracting from his life rather than adding value. Inspired, we started donating and removing unnecessary possessions, embracing a more intentional way of living.
Minimalism became about determining what’s important for our family and safeguarding that from distractions. It was a philosophy that fit us perfectly. We turned it into a family experiment, focusing on two positive goals, rather than merely eliminating stuff.
The kids were more on board with a family project, and we began working collectively.
While I’m not an expert, Joshua Becker’s practical advice helped us find a method that worked for us. We started by having important conversations about priorities. This clarity made it easier to recognize unnecessary things.
We made time for family decluttering sessions, cutting back on time-consuming activities for a head start. Organizing didn’t solve our problems, but owning less did.
Scheduling was key. We set a time for sorting and discarding excess items, treating it like any other appointment or activity. The resulting free time allowed us to enjoy family outings or game nights.
We also carefully considered what we brought into our home. We made a pact to be mindful about new purchases, often placing items on a wishlist and seeing if we forgot about them later. This way, if we actually needed something, we could justify the purchase.
Creating capsule wardrobes saved us time and money, reducing decision fatigue. Instead of starting with the kids’ belongings, we began with our own, setting the example. Over time, the children began adopting these new habits too.
We placed donation boxes where everyone could access them daily. This “family donation station” encouraged giving away unneeded items.
This project taught us that stuff isn’t inherently bad. Things that support our family goals are treasures. We’ve become more grateful for what we have, allowing us to prioritize experiences and outdoor activities. We’ve even embraced new technologies like Kindle Paperwhites, which help us limit physical clutter.
Ultimately, decluttering involves patience and practice. It’s a valuable skill to teach our children, helping them focus on what’s truly important. Throughout this journey, we’ve rediscovered the meaningful connections and experiences that bring joy, making minimalism a rewarding lifestyle for our family.
