We all have them- a designated day when someone comes and dispose of our recyclables. Rather than just seeing this as another day in the week- it’s actually an opportunity to live a more minimalist life, here’s why…
Minimalism on Female First
You can’t go back on your decision: Once something has been put in the recycling and taken away, you can’t reconsider your decision to get rid of that item. If you were to put these things in a holding box, you might feel compelled to get them back out and keep them. This way you have to go with gut feeling and move on. It sounds brutal but it helps with any indecision over potentially sentimental items.
It is a challenge for you: Every time the blue truck leaves with your recycling- try and fill the empty container to the top in readiness for the next pickup. If you have a lot of things you can afford to give up- that can be recycled, this is a great way to start paring down your hoard. Look around your home for fliers, boxes from deliveries, magazines, shredded paper, glass jars, plastics and old greetings cards that can help you reach the top. Once it’s emptied, the challenge starts all over again until your home has only the papers it needs and that get used.
You can turn it into a game: Get your family involved in helping you to fill the bin with as much recycling material as possible each fortnight. It makes it fun, but keeps your home clear of unnecessary paper, glass and plastic.
It encourages you to deal with paper right away: If you know you need to get as much stuff in the bin as possible before it gets taken away- you will be more inclined to put any junk mail in the bin straight away, meaning it doesn’t linger on countertops or on the fridge for days in between.
It encourages you to look in places you never would normally: If you are running low one week- it might mean you have to look harder at the items that no longer serve you. You may even find yourself heading into the loft or garage to seek out pieces that have been lying dormant for years.
You may come across others things that can be recycled elsewhere: You may not be able to throw electronics and textiles into your home recycling bin, but in searching for other items that are suitable, you might just come across some things you can sell or take to your local recycling centre.
The process gets you into a decluttering mindset: If you start small- by filling your bin for collection day- the momentum might stretch to other minimalist pursuits in your home. Perhaps you could apply the same mentality to your things. One idea could be to start a box to place unwanted things in which you can take to the charity shop each fortnight on the same day your recycling gets taken away. By combining decluttering tasks- it will help you remember to do them on a regular basis.
Tagged in Minimalism