Got myself some Fluevogs finally! Mom n Dana have a couple pairs + ones to (eventually) sell but!!! Got my own pair now and they're space owo

A lesson on Minimalism from a beginner

I recently embarked on a journey to become a minimalist, This is my experience so far and how I got started.

WTF Is Minimalism

Minimalism is having a home less full but a life that is, It is about reducing clutter in your brain and home by owning only what you need so you can have more experiences and less things.

Why did I choose to do it?

Let me set the scene..

I, a college student had a beautifully decorated room filled with random pictures and mementos that were supposed to make me feel like I was at home. I had more than enough clothes assuming I would be a fashionista every day that year, I really do enjoy fashion. But I found myself wearing only three out of my 15 pairs of shoes and rotating the same quick comfortable outfits. Then it came time to pack up and head home for the summer. I filled a trash bag of shoes and containers full of clothes packing them into the car. I realized I barely wore most of the things I brought and managed to acquire more throughout the year because I am a shopaholic.

Then I got home.. to More stuff!!! stuff I hadn't seen or missed all year. I had way too many things and It was overwhelming, I’m talking two dressers and a walk in closet as well as various shoes scattered throughout the house (I love shoes y’all) So I decided enough is enough, I needed a fresh start and did not want to haul all of my stuff into my new apartment next year. 

I was also becoming more and more aware of my impact on the environment so I wanted to buy things I could use for a long time, no more flimsy fast fashion or one use items.

How did I start?

Obviously everyone has their own approach to starting a minimalist lifestyle, mine was to download Poshmark and start selling things I knew I absolutely did not need or want. I actually made quite a bit of cash through the app, the money can go into your bank account or toward your next Poshmark purchase. Selling your clothes for cheap is better than getting nothing for them, so I reminded myself that I was just getting rid of them regardless. The next step was to stop by Platos’ closet, a thrift store that will buy your clothes for cash on the spot. I went to two stores, the first time making 50$ on about 19 things and then 80$ on 29 things so that was a win for me. Once I sold all that I could I donated the rest.

That was the first closet purge

But not the last, one of the most common techniques is to take everything out of your closet and only put back what you truly need or love, having a specific number of items allowed will help too. so that was the last thing I did and now I am down to one rack of clothes in my closet and it feels so freeing! I don’t have to stress about what to wear anymore! and I have narrowed down my shoes quite a bit too.

Once that was done I had earned money to start furnishing my new apartment, I bought a nice speaker and pair of earphones, It felt nice to have money and knowing I am spending smarter.

Minimalist Habits

Minimalism is not all about clothes and clutter, it is about freeing your mind, finding happiness and more free time.

Anyways Ill tell you some habits I started that helped me a lot.

One MAJOR one is putting my phone away when I got home, I would charge my phone in my room and go out biking or workout, do yoga, read. If someone asks you “what do you do for fun?” do you have an answer? if you don’t I can guarantee it’s because your’e stuck to your phone or the TV. 

I am currently trying a social media cleanse, no socials except this and whatever I need to contact people.

Another is asking myself If I use certain things on the daily, Like all those cute  decorations from TJMaxx? why do I even own them? 

I’m not saying get rid of everything you own, you can personalize it to you, for instance I love makeup so I am keeping most of it and I am an artist so I need supplies on deck. Maybe your’e a photographer so you have to have all of that equipment, whatever suits you works.

Another thing that saves me money is reusable items I purchased.  one being a reusable makeup wipe that was roughly 10$ for two, If you purchase makeup towelettes you probably spend on average around 150$ a year when you could spend 10$ once (and trust me they work, the brand I got was “erase your face”)

Next expanse for my ladies is tampons, per year the average woman uses 240 tampons, that’s a lot. which is 50$ a year if you use a 7$ box of 36 tampons, or you could use a diva cup or  period underwear and save all that money and they last over a year...

look at you go saving the environment and your wallet

Where To Donate?

I had a few things I did not know where to donate so I did some research

Blankets: https://soldiersangels.org/BlanketDrive.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw68zZBRAnEiwACw0eYZAjXk-l7g295lzx-YZLpWCF0xO0pZ0L2G81_7KJo_KlcCJNEGItLhoCBvsQAvD_BwE

Bras and Menstrual Products: http://isupportthegirls.org/

Prom Dress/ Evening wear: http://www.beccascloset.org/

Womens’ business attire: https://dressforsuccess.org/

Mens’ Business attire: https://careergear.org/

Kids Stuff: https://www.family-to-family.org/family-giving/

Unused Makeup: https://beautybus.org/product-donations/

Nail polish: https://www.sorbet.co.za/store-locator/

Gently used makeup, cleansers and lotions: http://www.projectbeautyshare.org/how-to-give

5.22.19-5.30.19

5.22.19 - Mom and I did yardwork! Dad cut down more of the front yard trees so mom and I worked on chopping down some branches even more and putting it into the lawn bags. I did all the filling and taking out the trash and putting all the lawn bags and trash cans to the curb. I think we filled like 7 lawn bags? Yeah, and to the brim!!! Was so sweaty. Manong picked up Marv and manang and they got mom and I  tropical smoothies (magno magic) hehehe.

5.23.19 - Marvin’s honor night!! Got ready and the whole fam went to the peak. Marv got honor roll! So proud of him. He was disappointed because he realized he could’ve done better, but we were happy for him. Saw Mr. Vangelder and hugged him! Lol After the honor night we had dinner at Mcdonald’s. Then we went home and dad got working on the pilot again xD Sibs and I played Overcooked 2! lol

5.24.19 - Got up and ready to go to Detroit for my OHS clearance. Manang came as well. Dad walked me up to the 4th floor and I got ready. Mom, dad, and manang left and got pho. Whole process was like 1.5 hours. Did my N95 mask fitting then worked out on drug test. Good thing I had all my papers since that sped up the process (I think?). Then after that I did my vision test and boy oh boy my left eye is SHOT! I couldn’t even see the big E in the vision test thing. I just knew it was an E but I couldn’t see it. It was that blurry!!! But my right eye is good. I could see the second to the last line to the bottom. Sigh.... after that I got my blood drawn. Forgot what test it was for tho. Maybe nicotine test? Before I got my blood drawn tho, I talked the girl that was with me during the whole process on the 4th floor. Her name is Pauline but she goes by Pau! She’ll be working on the unit below mine and she’s also a new grad!!!! She graduated in 2017, but took a break. Didn’t take the NCLEX until last year in March which was just like me! I graduated last year, took a break, and then took the NCLEX in march of this year! So we’ll be starting on the same day so it’s nice to have a friend. After the OHS clearance, I got picked up and we went to the basement parking so dad could sleep before work. Dropped him off at 4 then we went to get Marv.. Stopped by Mcdonald’s on Sibley and manang treated me to a quarter pounder (thank God for 2 for $5). Got marv then went home. I took a nap and then went down at like 8? chilled in the living room. Manong went to pick up dad.

5.26.19 church! Mom made burgers and they were so good. The patties were a little spicy, but they had cheese. It was nice and thicc too!! I believe a box of 6 patties was $7. Def worth it. Anywho, church was not busy for once lol got to talk to tita Grace for a bit. After eating I just played piano and then played with Johanna. Then the sibs and I left for Josh’s. Stopped by Kroger where I bought 2 iced teas and a 1.5 lb bag of cherries for mom. Got to Josh’s and ate! Lots of good food (chinese). Jod, Si, PJ, Jovel, then Sam came. Had so much fun playing overcooked (the first one), and then overcooked 2, pusoy dos, mario kart. After all that we played Detroit and we took turns on different stories. Joseph did Connor, Jovel did Markus, Sam did Kara, and then Marv did Markus again (with Carl chapter). Went home at 1:30 a.m. and mom and dad were watching a good indian movie. They were laughing so hard!

5.27.19 - Happy Memorial Day!!! Got up super late lol. After eating lunch with the fam, and preparing dad’s stuff for work, manang and I cleaned and washed dishes. Then we got ready to go with friends to CANADA! Jod picked us up around 5. Made our way to tita tess’. We talked about the My Body My choice movement, abortion, and just the girls of today. It was nice to talk about it with Jodan and we all agree. Anyway, got to tita tess’ and went inside to say hi. Ate lumpia and then left. Laughed so hard with Sam (jokes: sam drinking too much water. Sam changing his shorts to pants. Sam carrying all his stuff so loosely into the car). Got to Bikes and Coffee and PJ was already there. It was Sam’s first time there. Got in and Si gave manang and I an iced coffee to share. played 6 games of pusoy dos, and we all won one game each. Si told sam his shirt was too tight for him and we were all laughing saying it was his muscles lol. Anywho, left Bikes at 7. PJ and I rode with Si, and sam and manang rode with Jod. Movement was happening in Detroit so it was busy and loud. Going to Canada was so smooth! Although coming back it was of course busier. Got through the border and made our way to Jade Chinese food. Laughed so hard because we ordered dim sum. When our server finally came she was carrying like 4 stacks of teh steamers. We were all like “WoOoOoOah!“ and then she places only one steamer and we were laughing so hard thinking they were all for us xD She was even smiling. We honestly laughed so hard at dinner lol. After that we went to Presotea! UGH it was SO GOOD. The place was so nice too!!!! I ordered a taro milk tea with bubbles. Manang got a mango (cream) cheese drink and it was also SO GOOD. Ugh. Their large drinks are so big!! Watched a replay of the warrrios and raptors while playing pusoy dos. Then it was time to go home. Manang and I rode with Jod. Once we got to the American border it was so funny! It was an older white gentleman (kinda looked like Mary’s dad). He was like how do you all know each other and jod was saying we were childhood friends. Then he asks where did you go in Canada and jod said had dinner at a chinese restaurant called Jade. Then the guy asked was it good? lol Then he asked if we were bringing anything over and we said no. and then he followed up with “no leftovers?” lol and I was like oh yeah just one! And then he looked at me (because my window was down cuz it had to be) and he said to me, “where’s your date?” and I was like “Oh I’m the third wheel!” lolJod was like oh we’re childhood friends, we’re like brother and sister. and the guy was like “I’m sure he doesn’t mind having two beautiful ladies in his car xD Dismissing anything jod said LOLLL Jod was just quiet like nervous laughter xD (we were all nervous laughing lolllll Got home and yeah! fun dayyyy

5.28.19 - Dad and I did yard work in the front. Well before that I watched Joseph: Kind of Dreams. Sigh, they really need to make a graet, accurate movie about Joseph because the Dreamworks one was ehh. Anyway, dad and I worked in the front cutting down the chopped down tree bush with the cleavers xD It was a hot, humid day so we were sweating. Had a good conversation tho!!! Tried bringing up wanting to date (not like asking permission, but letting him know) but couldn’t lol. During that time, Ne called because she was gonna pick up manang but in amidst that mom asked about Ne’s bf and boy oh boy they had a long convo because Ne broke up! Anyway, dad and I worked from 2-5ish. I filled 3 lawn bags with the clippings. Then I went inside and we ate nilaga with beans (my fave!) also had steak. Then manang and ne came in time and we all ate together. During and after dinner Ne, mom, and dad talked more about the breakup and boy oh boy we were all triggered at what Ne’s ex said to her smh. Blessing in disguise! I just washed dishes then it was decided that manang, Marv and I would sleepover ne’s. Went to ne’s, ate some oreos, watched TV, then played like 2 games of Overcooked. Went to bed at like 1:50.

5.29.19 - Stayed at ne’s after ne, manang, and Marv left. Woke up at 9:40 and surprisingly got up lol. Cooked myself the one pack of ramen left, and 3 boiled eggs. Had breakfast then cleaned ne’s house. First I worked on tidying the living room. I even sprayed with febreeze. Then I worked on the kitchen. Washed dishes, put her already-washed dishes from the dishwasher away, and sprayed and wiped down the counters and stove. Then I wiped down the dining table, living room table, and TV stand. Also had the irobot vacuuming. After that I worked on the bathroom. Cleaned the tub, cloroxed the toilet and used the toilet bowl cleaner. Also windexed the mirrors. Did the same in ne’s bathroom, making sure I cleaned the shower glass so that it was clear. Made Ne’s bed and also the guest room bed. After that I watched Christopher Robin on Netflix. Baked a moist betty crocker vanilla cake and drank some hot chocolate. Talked to Josh and Pj about CP. Then around 4 manong came. Then he left and then ne came with groceries. Helped put groceries away while she cooked. Cleaned up the kitchen and set up the table while ne ligo. Then the whole family (minus dad cuz he had work) came and we had dinner. Had cheese sausages, ground pork with green sprouts and opo, and cucumber salad. It was very yummy! Oh also rotisserie chicken. I cleaned and washed the dishes after. After that we drank tea and watched Whose line, as well as Kodi Lee on AGT and Eric Chien. At around 8 or so mom went ahead of us and left for home. Then at like almost 9 we left. I gathered ne’s pop bottles and cans and manang drove us to meijer where I returned them. Made $7.30! Used $7.13 to buy conditioner, hand soap, and garden gloves for dad lol. Went home and yeeeee chilled until bed time.

5.30.19 - Got up at 3 pm lol IK so late. But had lunch with the peeps. Then I ironed dad’s uniform. Watched Eric Chien and then tidied up the kitchen. Did mom’s nails (both mani and pedi) and watched Peter Rabbit. Sibs got home at like 7 while I was washing dishes. Got ready and I drove us sibs to Canton zap zone where we did glo-golf. Marv won with 51 pts, manang 56, my 57, and manong 58 xD I also got a hole in one tho!! After that, manang drove us to Mcdonald’s near plato’s closet. It was so good! And very clean and nice inside. The four of us got quarter pounders and coffee. Then I bought a large fry for PJ and a caramel frappe. Got to Emagine and met up with PJ. Watched Godzilla 2!!!!! It was SO GOODDDDDD I mean there are little flaws but the action was definitely better than the first (the first’s build up was dragging and the fighting scenes were so short!!!!). Overall it was a good movie. Got home at 1 a.m. ish. :)