Detox: Life (clear the clutter with Black&BlondeOne)

Throughout the month of January I will be detoxing my life through mind, body, and spirit restoration. I encourage you to follow along and participate at the level you feel comfortable.

Thank you to those who have commented and offered your support after my first Detox: Life post. It is so comforting to know that you care and while I was nervous to share some of these things about my life, I'm so glad I did. 

My daily detox pursuits include eating fresh (recipes included) and getting at least 30 minutes of exercise. In addition, I'm challenging myself and you all to do just one extra thing per day to detox our lives. Lindsay from Black & Blonde One has provided us with some great suggestions below on how to do just that! She is also one of my favorite New York city girl bloggers who writes candidly about her life in fashion, beauty, food and fun times. Go check out her blog right now!--->Black & Blonde One.

First off, I want to thank Gwen for having me over on her wonderful blog!  She has become a wonderful blogger friend of mine this year and I can't wait to actually meet her this summer when she travels to New York!

Being a Cancer, I tend to gravitate toward being a homebody.  Because I'm at home quite a bit, I like to make sure it is clutter-free and visually appealing.  It's my home and not just an apartment.  This year I have challenged myself to become more of a minimalist and try to avoid material objects as crutches.  Although I am just starting and far from an expert, I wanted to share a few tips in helping you live a balanced life.

1. Only keep what you need. This one is the hardest, but most important.  Some people are more attached to possessions and want to keep more than they actually need.  If you are one of these people, do the fire test.  What are the essentials you would keep if there was a fire in your house?  This will tell you what's important and what's not.  After you de-clutter, you will be amazed at how refreshed you feel and how much you can donate to someone who may really need it.

2. Rearrange. At times, change just feels necessary.  Instead of going out to buy something new, change around what you already have.  Moving furniture or decorations can really alter the feeling of a room and can sometimes make more sense in the space you have.  This also helps the creativity flow.  Maybe you need a new storage idea for a collection? Think of a DIY solution!

3. Indulge.  Although I like to live minimally, I allow myself to indulge every now and then.  It makes for a healthy person.  If you need a pick-me-up, try buying some fresh flowers or some local produce.  These indulgences will help you feel like you can still live without feeling strapped to a budget or plan.  It allows you some freedom and will give you an uplifting feeling.

Have you every tried minimal living?  What are your experiences and what tips do you have?

Thank you Lindsay! Would you like to participate with us as a guest poster by showing how you are detoxing your life? Email me: gwenedwards82 [at] gmail.com or leave a comment below and I'll get in touch with you.