The Simple Life (Not the TV Show)

I've been struggling the past few months with the idea that we have so much stuff. I try to live a somewhat "green" lifestyle (which is harder when coupled with the fact that Stephen doesn't really care) and I feel led to live a minimalist lifestyle, but in the end, it's easier said than done.

I have always felt like this somewhat ("Tell me again why we need a PS3?") but I have recently felt stronger about it, particularly with all the things I have been blessed to get for free. So I'm starting to go through the house, room by room, to make a first sweep to find the things we really don't need or don't use often enough to justify keeping, particularly if I know someone else can get use out of the item. Yesterday I did just the counters beside the stove (about a 6 foot long area) and within just a few minutes found twelve items I knew we didn't really need. Like, that fourth set of measuring cups? Probably not going to need it any time soon. Into the Fed By Faith donation box! The pizza cutter that has never even been opened? I think we can use one of our other three pizza cutters. Into the donation box! And so on.

I don't know how to cut down on the number of cookbooks I have... but I'm not buying any new ones, so at least I'm not adding to the number. Any advice?

I went through our bathroom and counted deodorants. Please keep in mind that whenever I get things for free I usually save 1-2 for us and donate the rest. So, bearing that in mind... between me and Stephen we had almost 30 deodorants. If a stick of deodorant lasts 3 months (and I know mine last longer than that usually) we had enough for 90 months... or 7 1/2 years.

Oh. My. Word.

Don't even get me started on body wash/shampoo/conditioner.

Obviously I was able to cut down on a LOT of items from our bathroom area. But I am really hoping to do this in all areas of our house. I think:

Less stuff = Less clutter = Less stress

Those of you who read my personal blog know I am trying to complete 101 goals in 1001 days. One of those goals is to get rid of 365 items in the house. Not counting anything brought in during that time or replaced (like our can opener broke so I threw it away but replaced it the same day.) I can't wait to reach that number of 365 things and KEEP ON GOING!

I also want to "go green" and "home-wifey" a little bit more. Any suggestions? I want to compost but we don't have a good place for a compost pile so that may have to wait. I just did something new tonight that I will blog about very shortly. I would love to mill my own flour but I don't have the money for a grinder. I want to make more things from scratch. I want to have more things that are reusable instead of making more trash.

What are some of the things you do that are along this same vein??