I radically cleaned my room.

First, it started as a desire to have a little more space. However, it quickly blossomed into minimalism and the need to have less and less. In a culture of more, at times, less can be more.

I had to go through several rounds of cleaning to do this before I was happy with my results. But cleaning my room has made me infinitely more productive and relaxed. There are simply less things to distract me and cloud my vision. 

I had to part with things I had grown to love, but I knew no longer had a space in my life. I love my plants, for instance, but I decided to give them away because I could no longer take care of them productively. I knew they would be blessing someone else more than they would be blessing me. 

Here are some pictures of my current room. Everything in my room "sparks joy" as Marie Kondo would say.

I feel fulfilled and safe in my room, not stifled or overwhelmed. It is clean, organized, and a place for rest or productivity. 

So now, how do YOU radically clean your room to have that beautiful domino effect in your life?

1) ASK YOURSELF QUESTIONS ABOUT EVERY ITEM YOU OWN.

• Have I used this in the last six months?
• Will I ever use this again?
• Does this item spark joy?
• Is it a "HECK YES!" (Meaning, can you scarcely fathom getting rid of said item, or is it more of a "I could go with or without" reaction?)
• Would it be blessing someone else more than it would be blessing me?

2) BE RUTHLESS.

In order to truly achieve minimalism, you must be ruthless. Once you get past the idea that everything that could have a use needs to be used, nothing can stop you. All it takes is simple separation of your identity from the item, and it can become released. If it helps you, thank the item for its purpose in your life and how it has served you, then release it to serve somebody else.

3) IMAGINE THE REWARD.

You cannot obtain a clean, streamlined space without realizing there will be a sacrifice for the reward. Clean environment, organization, minimalism -- they all take dedication to maintain, which can be procured from imagining just how nice it will feel when you finalize your space and it looks exactly how you hoped!

I hope you can apply these practical, easy tips to your life. I also hope seeing my room could inspire you. See you after cleaning! 

With love, 

Ivy