Are you a Space Optimist?

So a couple of weeks ago I talked about being a Time Optimist and I'd like to stay with that theme and talk this week about being a Space Optimist. Are you nodding your head already?

Do you save things for the bigger home you'll live in some day? Thinking your living arrangement is only temporary?

Or are you saving things for someone else that may need them in the future? Are you saving the old bed and sofa for your daughter when she moves out on her own?

Do you hesitate to rid your home of items that you no longer are using because "maybe I'll need that some day."?

Keeping things that you inherited from relatives but the items aren't really your style?

Sound familiar? Then maybe you're a Space Optimist - keeping more stuff than you have room for in the home you are living in right now. You've probably heard the expression "living in the moment" or "live in the now". Instead of trying to decorate for a home that doesn't even exist today, try filling your life with the most important things for you right now. I use this often, I like it, it brings me joy. If you can say that about the things surrounding you, then you're on the right track.

Saving for a rainy day has it's advantages when it comes to finances or health insurance, but I'm talking about STUFF. It could become very overwhelming to save for every situation that you may encounter. Or saving things for years in the future, like that big home you dream of living in but meanwhile you've been in a small apartment for 15 years and don't see that changing any time soon. Or saving those pieces of furniture for your daughter when she moves out and she's only 10.

And I'll try not to go on a rant about "personal storage units". A personal storage unit should be used on a temporary basis ONLY!! Like when re-modeling your home and you need to remove furniture to allow for the construction. Or you're traveling for an extended period of time but are not keeping your current home. So often the stuff that goes into the storage unit is forgotten the moment it's locked. Think about the cost of saving the items versus the price to repurchase when and if you ever really need it.

Envision your life as you want it right now. Keep what works for you right now. Keep the truly useful and important objects. Keep the things that bring you joy. And please don't hang onto anything under obligation or guilt. Those negative emotions are some of the worst types of clutter. Out it goes!