Minimising at home and work feels great – I recently culls my kids room … it’s surprising how much stuff can two little people accumulate!
Things can accumulate without you being aware
After 7 years of fertility treatments, we had two babies fairly quickly. During my pregnancy I was so excited I just started accumulating stuff – I couldn’t go past a baby shop without choosing a gorgeous outfit, or a toy store without stopping for a cute cuddly toy. So by the time bubs came we were totally overloaded. But that didn’t bother me, because I was just so overjoyed to finally be a mum! And so the cycle continued.
Birthdays were ridiculously OTT affairs with clowns, jumping castles, reptile shows and more than enough food to feed the small army of invading toddlers that were invariably invited. Always a great day, with many presents received – to add to the ever expanding collection.
Don’t get me wrong – I certainly have spent a lot of money on “things” for my children. But we’ve also enjoyed some really special experiences as a family. My husband had a heart attack when my youngest was 2 months old, so it’s really important for me that we create memories and have lots of shared special experiences, because you just never know what’s around the corner! So we have a rather beautiful caravan and we’ve had many wonderful camping trips in it; we’ve travelled to wonderful places within Australia and abroad; we’ve visited galleries and museums; attended shows and concerts; and we’ve may many wonderful experiences just riding our bikes, walking in the bush or going to the beach. I’m totally a “snap happy” mum and enjoy making photo books of our experiences, and my eldest boy loves to go through the books and reminisce.
And the cull and minimisation hasn’t stopped in the kid’s room – I’ve gone through my own stuff and donated clothes and shoes that haven’t been worn for ages, books that have been read and are cluttering up the shelf, magazines that are taking up room in the cupboard.
And with the kids being a little older now, birthdays are no longer the circus they used to be, but more of an experience with immediate family and a few close friends.
For my children, I haven’t gotten rid of all their things! They still have plenty of things that are educational or encourage imagination, and that form some of their cherished memories. And the difference I’ve seen in my children is amazing – they’re fighting less, they’re talking more, they’re using their imagination, creating things, reading more, creating music, playing outside. For me, it’s a wonderful feeling to clear out all the clutter and not feel so bogged down with “stuff”.
So you’re probably wondering why this post from a bookkeeping practice? Here’s why. The lightness I felt from de-cluttering, and the difference I can see in my children already, got me thinking about de-cluttering in business. There are many facets to running a successful business and some of them you enjoy and are great at, others are a burden and they don’t get done well or at all. So what can you cull and minimise in your business that’s going to give you back some energy and remind you of the passion you had in the beginning? Maybe it’s getting somebody to help you with your social media campaigns; maybe it’s somebody to take care of your bookkeeping, payroll and BAS obligations; maybe it’s somebody to help you be accountable in your business, such as a coach or mentor; maybe it’s somebody to simply clean the house so you can concentrate on your work. Whatever it is that’s going to help, just do it – you won’t regret it!
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