Parenting Perspectives: Decluttering home also helps clear the mind

Minimize. De-clutter. Simplify.
The implication is a life of less stress and more ease.
So with this starry-eyed idealism in mind (and the after-Christmas chaos in sight), my husband and I made it our unofficial New Year’s resolution to consciously curb our belongings.
Our goal is multifaceted.
Like most Americans, our home is full of stuff. Luckily we can still fit two cars in our double-stall garage, so we haven’t reached over-capacity quite yet. But the counters are constantly cluttered, and of course the toys spill through every room.
We wanted to cut out the superfluous physical items to create more space to just be, both in our home and in our minds.
Plenty of broken or old items have been tossed to the curb. Every spare box has been filled up, marked “Rummage.” My 5-year-old is excited for an upcoming “yard sale.” He’s made it clear to us this does not mean we are selling our yard, however.
We’re hoping it will result in a little extra cash in our pockets, both from the sale of our unearthed treasures and by spending less on new.
We want to be more mindful in general. When pondering a purchase, we’re careful to evaluate if it is serving our greater purpose, our stated family values, and if it’s getting us closer to our goals.
I want to live a life that is focused on great experiences, creating memories and doing things like dancing, singing, laughing, and enjoying great meals and drinks with loved ones. When I take the time to actually think about it, I would rather skip that clearance scarf at Target (but it’s 70 percent off!), put down the new hair gadget, and force myself to just keep walking past the Starbucks and instead spend that money on a night out with my husband and friends, or put it toward a family vacation.
I’ve become a happier person and a better mom and wife since we embarked upon this journey. With less stuff to pick up around the house, I am less stressed.
Less stuff means less time managing, cleaning and organizing my stuff. More time to do as I please. More time to sit down for a book or Play-Doh without the gremlins telling me I “should” be taking care of this or that.
And yes, it even means toys.
At every gift-opening event, someone always makes the comment about how kids don’t need toys; they always just play with the box! Why then are we so scared to deny our children the plastic gear when they have plenty of boxes and other pretend-making paraphernalia at their disposal already?
Culling out some of the extra toys that don’t get played with as much (or that have lost their luster) cleared out the space to keep just those that are well-loved and useful. The ones that light up my children’s imaginations and fuel their growth. Why keep the rest?
We’ve heard exactly zero complaints.
The other day, between after-school at 4 p.m. and dinner time at 6 p.m., my 5-year-old and 3-year old played with exactly three things. Quite happily, I might add.
Toys were available. Trucks, trailers and tractors galore. Puzzles, games and building sets. Crafts and crayons fill the cupboard. What enthralled them for hours?
Their scooters. A soft colorful block (which belongs to the baby) used as a ball. And the couch cushions.
We have a simple mantra that has helped us decide what stays and what goes: “Is it a ‘heck yes?!’ ” Meaning, does it light us up? Is it an obvious, excited “yes”?
If not, then it’s a “no.”
The results in my family have spoken for themselves. That’s a “heck yes.”
Nicole Welle is a life coach and mentor, helping moms find fulfillment and live their authentic purpose. Nicole lives in West Fargo with her husband, two sons and one daughter. You can find her online at  www.nicolewelle.com .