the blog.
Living With Less: A Review of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up & How To Declutter the KonMari Way!
Hello and welcome to instalment number one of my Living With Less series! Today I’m tackling the first step in anyone’s minimalism journey, decluttering, with the help of the KonMari method. This method was developed by Marie Kondo, author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and an absolute genius. I’m going to give you a summary and review of the book and outline the simple steps you can take to rid your life of clutter for good!
Hello and welcome to instalment number one of my Living With Less series! Today I’m tackling the first step in anyone’s minimalism journey, decluttering, with the help of the KonMari method. This method was developed by Marie Kondo, author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up (and an absolute genius.) I’m going to give you a summary and review of the book and outline the simple steps you can take to rid your life of clutter for good!
(This post contains affiliate links.)
Marie Kondo is an organizing consultant and author from Japan. She has a wonderful no-nonsense approach that really appeals to me, and is extremely likeable. Marie explains why most people are suffering under the weight of their belongings and how to free yourself from clutter. The book is easy to read and understand, and incredibly engaging. I read it from cover to cover in a couple of days and was immediately itching to declutter! This book is such an inspiring read; I’m not surprised that it’s amassed such a large following!
The book begins by shedding light on the common problems with organizing and decluttering that the majority of us share. She then goes on to explain her method of organization and why it works. Next comes an in depth guide to decluttering your home from top to bottom and storing those precious items you decide to keep.
Marie's method is a breath of fresh air which focuses on the joy special possessions can bring rather than the need for acquisition or holding on to useless items "just in case". She demands perfection, which is kind of wonderful in a world full of unnecessary moderation, yet understands that her clients and her readers are only human, and that some things just mean so much to us on a sentimental level that they belong in our lives. She also believes that tidying should happen only once, not everyday. This is wonderful news for all of us busy people who want to do it all at once and be done for good!
I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to absolutely anyone. Click on the book cover to buy it on amazon and get started on your minimalism journey with me! (Friendly Disclaimer: This is an affiliate link. There is no extra cost for you, but the small commission I receive if you purchase through my link helps me keep this site up and running!)
Read on to learn how to declutter using the the KonMari method!
How To Declutter Your Life, the KonMari Way!
ONE Dress up for the event. One of Marie's main beliefs is that tidying should be a special event, not a daily chore. And don't we usually dress up for special events? Don't do all of your tidying in sweatpants; through on a smart blazer or a pretty dress and give tidying the respect it deserves!
TWO Tidy all at once. I'll say it again, just because it's such a revolutionary thought! Marie asserts that tidying should be a one time event not a daily chore! Clear your schedule so that you can do it once and do it right.
THREE Discard by category, not location. Don't tidy your kitchen, then the bedroom, and so on. Marie has learned the optimal method of decluttering from trial and error and her extensive experience. Go category by category, and in the order she outlines in the book:
- Clothing;
- Books;
- Papers;
- Miscellaneous items, and;
- Sentimental items.
FOUR Put everything on the floor. One category at a time, go around the house and grab every item then put it in one big pile on the floor. Not only does this ensure that you don't forget or miss anything, but it shows you just how much you actually own; a pretty sobering realization!
FIVE Hold each and every item. Pick up each belonging, one at a time, and ask yourself "Does this spark joy?" If yes, keep it. If not, put it in the donate or sell pile!
SIX Focus. Don't play music or watch TV while you sort. This is an important task that deserves 100% of your focus!
SEVEN Discard all, then organize. Resist the urge to put things away as you go. Marie says it's important to go through each category and discard before organizing what you've decided to keep.
EIGHT Thank your belongings for their service. This one can seem a bit bizarre, but is quite nice when you think about it. Marie suggests that you take a moment to thank the items you are discarding for their service. Even if you are only thanking them for teaching you what you don't like, she says you should find a reason to be thankful for the time they spent in your possession.
This is just a summary of Marie's advice. Go read the book to get the full benefit of her method and to hear all of the principles right from the horse's mouth!
I hope I've inspired at least one of you to explore the KonMari method and bring it into your life. It has only been a month and a bit since I applied these principles in my own home, and while I'm still a bit of a work in progress, I'm noticing incredible benefits! Remember that I will be posting a new Living with Less post each and every Tuesday for the foreseeable future. Don't forget to check in on the blog every week or subscribe to the Plant Based Bride newsletter (you'll find the form at the bottom of this page) for updates right to your inbox!
Until next time,
Have you read Marie's book? I'd love to hear your review in the comments below!
Linked Up!
How To Choose The Perfect Wedding Date!
So you're engaged. Congratulations! Let the planning begin. But how much time do you have to check everything off your list? Choosing the wedding date is one of the very first things you and your fiancé should do. But how do you decide? Read on for the 5 things you can do to narrow the options down to a single, perfect, day!
So you're engaged. Congratulations! Let the planning begin. But how much time do you have to check everything off your list? Choosing the wedding date is one of the very first things you and your fiancé should do. But how do you decide? Read on for the 5 things you can do to narrow the options down to a single, perfect, day!
ONE Make a list of special dates in your relationship.
When was your first date? The day you became "official"? The first time you said I love you? Any of these dates (and so more!) would be wonderful to commemorate by holding your wedding on the same day, x years later!
TWO Take your budget into account.
Keep in mind how much you need to save up for your big day. Is it doable in 6 months? Or is a year and a half more realistic? Don't let your excitement outweigh practicallity - it's very hard to throw a wedding without any money! Don't stress yourself out by giving yourself too little time to save. The wedding planning process is already intense enough!
Not sure what your budget is yet? Read my article on setting a realistic wedding budget here!
THREE Rate the seasons from your favourite to least favourite.
This one is pretty self-explanatory. Do you share a favourite season? Great! If not, try a little math. Rate your favourite season a 1, next favourite a 2, and so on. Have your partner do the same. Then, add the numbers for summer together, the numbers for winter together, and so on again. It should look something like this:
Spring: 1 + 2 = 3
Summer: 2 + 3 = 5
Fall: 3 + 1 = 4
Winter : 4 + 4 = 8
The smallest number is a great choice! You could also just compromise, of course, but no married couple ever has to do that, so there's really no need. (Hopefully you detected all of the sarcasm is that statement.) If you both really have no season preference, or are really bad at compromising, it may be easier to come at it from a design perspective first. Think about your ideal colour scheme, venue, photos, decor, mood, attire, food, everything! Does a theme emerge? If you were to pick one time of year that fit with all of the aspects you both love, which would it be?
Not sure what you want your wedding to look like? I suggest starting a Pinterest board and pinning images that jump out at you! Check out one of my four (yeah, four!) wedding boards below for an idea:
Regardless of how you come to an agreement, knowing which season you'd like to get married in is a great help!
FOUR Where will your wedding take place?
The location of your wedding will, of course, have a big impact on which date you choose. Getting married in Greece? You probably won't pick the same day as if you were getting married in Northern Canada. If you're planning on getting married or taking photographs outdoors, you'll want to pick a time in your preferred season that is likely to have favourable weather. If you're planning on staying inside, you have a bit more leeway!
FIVE Think of your guests.
Are your guests coming from out of town? Are you inviting children who are in school? Is your best friend going away for 3 months? Keep the people you care about most in mind when choosing the date. Not only will they be thankful, but you will be too when more of your loved ones can RSVP yes!
Jason and I loved the idea of getting married on a day that was special to us, and what could be more special than our first date? Since we had our first date at the beginning of September, and we both wanted an outdoor wedding and LOVE summer, it was a perfect fit! We checked the date in our preferred year (about 15 months after our engagement to give us time to save!) and it fell on a Sunday. Absolutely ideal for our dream brunch wedding! I hope that these tips help you and your partner find your perfect wedding date, and wish you all the best with the exciting changes to come :)
Until next time,
How did you choose YOUR wedding date? I'd love to hear about it! Let me know in the comments below. Don't forget to subscribe to the Plant Based Bride newsletter for updates on new posts about wedding planning! Scroll down to find the form below the comments section!
Why I Add a B12 Supplement To My Vegan Diet
If you've spent any time in the vegan community online, it's likely you've heard talk about B12. But what is B12 and why do we need it? Do you need to use supplementation, or is it readily available in the foods we eat? What happens if we don't get enough or get too much? Do only vegans have to worry about their B12 levels? Read on to learn the answers!
If you've spent any time in the vegan community online, it's likely you've heard talk about B12. But what is B12 and why do we need it? Do you need to use supplementation, or is it readily available in the foods we eat? What happens if we don't get enough or get too much? Do only vegans have to worry about their B12 levels? Read on to learn the answers!
What is B12?
B12 is a vitamin that is essential for human health, used by the body to make new blood cells and DNA. It is also a component of the myelin sheath, the protective layer of our nerves which also helps to conduct messages. B12 is made by anaerobic microorganisms (bacteria that don't require oxygen).
How much B12 do I need?
Where is B12 found in nature?
In today's food supply, B12 is only really found in animal products (meat, milk and eggs) and fortified foods. Certain varieties of mushroom and fermented foods contain B12, but in very small quantities insufficient to reach human needs. Plants grown in B12 rich soil (which is unfortunately very uncommon today) easily absorb B12 and there is some B12 in certain varieties of algae (although not in its active form) and therefore both options are not particularly useful for our purposes.
How do animals get their B12?
Certain animals such as cows and sheep get most of their B12 by absorbing it as it is made by their gut bacteria. All animals get a portion of their B12 intake from the following sources:
- The consumption of feces;
- Bacterial contamination of their food, and;
- The consumption of animal flesh, milk, and eggs.
What are the symptoms of B12 deficiency?
There are four stages of B12 deficiency:
Stage I: Declining blood levels of B12
Stage II: Low cellular concentrations of B12
Stage III: Increased homocysteine in the blood and a decreased rate of DNA synthesis
Stage IV: Macrocytic anemia.
Many undesirable symptoms come along with low levels of B12, even before you reach the final stage of B12 deficiency: anemia. These symptoms include:
- Fatigue;
- Lethargy;
- Weakness;
- Numbness in the hands, legs, or feet;
- Neurological problems such as memory loss and cognitive difficulties;
- Difficulty walking;
- Shortness of breath;
- Palpitations;
- Pallor;
- A swollen tongue;
- Jaundice, and;
- Psychiatric problems such as paranoia or hallucinations.
How can I ensure I get enough B12?
If you are eating the standard american diet you are probably getting more than you need daily, but if you fall within one of the following categories you may need to look into supplementation:
- Over 50 years old;
- Vegan;
- Taking medications that interfere with the absorption of B12; or
- Suffering with the malabsorption of foods due to weight-loss surgery or a medical condition.
While many foods are fortified with B12, these are likely insufficient for the needs of the above groups. I, personally, take a B12 supplement daily in the form of a sublingual spray to ensure adequate intake. For most, the smallest available dose of B12 (usually 100 mcg) taken daily does the trick. Only a small percentage of that will be absorbed due to the body's limited ability to absorb B12 at amounts larger than about 4 mcg at any given meal. Luckily, 4 mcg of B12 daily is more than anyone should require, unless struggling with absorption. I know what you're thinking, but no. Higher doses of B12 aren't necessarily better. While there are no known negative health effects of more B12 in the body, the percentage of B12 absorbed is actual reduced when larger doses are taken.
You might also like: Vegans vs Protein and Building Strong Bones With Plants
What kind of B12 supplement should I take?
Any kind works, but it has been found that tablets that you chew or dissolve in the mouth, and sprays that you hold in your mouth for a certain period of time, are better absorbed than pills.
Should I get my B12 checked?
Through my research I've found a common recommendation from physicians to have B12 and methylmalonic acid (MMA) levels checked every few years, but only for those who are at a higher risk of deficiency.
For the general population, B12 deficiency is not a big concern. For vegans and vegetarians, however, it remains a real risk with as many as 50-80% suffering from the deficiency. I am an advocate for a healthy vegan diet, and find that I receive adequate amounts of every conceivable nutrient without the need for supplementation, with the exception of B12. I myself take a daily supplement and recommend that any vegans out there do the same!
Until next time,
Do you take a B12 supplement? What are your thoughts on supplementation in general? Let me know in the comments below!
Feel free to join the plant based bride community in the form at the bottom of this page for updates and freebies!
Sources and Further Reading
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-Consumer/
http://chriskresser.com/b12-deficiency-a-silent-epidemic-with-serious-consequences/
http://www.dietitians.ca/Downloads/Factsheets/Food-Sources-of-Vitamin-B12.aspx
http://nutritionstudies.org/12-questions-answered-regarding-vitamin-b12/
http://www.eatrightontario.ca/en/Articles/Nutrients-(vitamins-and-minerals)/What-you-need-to-know-about-vitamin-B12.aspx#.Vfh_gLTPmfQ
http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/vitamin-b12-deficiency-can-be-sneaky-harmful-201301105780
http://plenteousveg.com/algae-b12/
http://patient.info/doctor/macrocytosis-and-macrocytic-anaemia
Living With Less: The Series! Beginning My Minimalism Journey
This past year has been an incredible one. I met Jason, worked on a cruise ship for 6 months doing what I love, got engaged, visited 6 new countries and countless new cities, and did quite a bit of learning and growing on a personal level. 180+ nights at sea in a row really give you time to soul-search and contemplate your life's direction. It also requires you to pack your whole life up into two large, very overstuffed, suitcases. As you might have gathered, my minimalism journey began a bit against my will. But something incredible happened when I was packing up my cabin to return home: I realized I could have lived with even less than two suitcases worth for those 6 months. That I could have lived on FAR less. Maybe for some of you that doesn't seem like anything earth-shattering, but for me? That was a big deal! I've always had trouble letting go of things as I'm very sentimental yet practical (meaning I love the memories attached to material goods as much as their possible utility later on), so this realization surprised me. I lived out of two suitcases, a backpack, and a tiny guitar case for 6 months? And I could have done without almost half of what I brought? Me??
This past year has been an incredible one. I met Jason, worked on a cruise ship for 6 months doing what I love, got engaged, visited 6 new countries and countless new cities, and did quite a bit of learning and growing on a personal level. 180+ nights at sea in a row really give you time to soul-search and contemplate your life's direction. It also requires you to pack your whole life up into two large, very overstuffed, suitcases. As you might have gathered, my minimalism journey began a bit against my will. But something incredible happened when I was packing up my cabin to return home: I realized I could have lived with even less than two suitcases worth for those 6 months. That I could have lived on FAR less. Maybe for some of you that doesn't seem like anything earth-shattering, but for me? That was a big deal! I've always had trouble letting go of things as I'm very sentimental yet practical (meaning I love the memories attached to material goods as much as their possible utility later on), so this realization surprised me. I lived out of two suitcases, a backpack, and a tiny guitar case for 6 months? And I could have done without almost half of what I brought? Me??
Shortly after I had arrived home to Toronto (and gotten engaged!!) it was time to pack again, this time for a month-long trip to Costa Rica with my new fiancé! This time, packing was much easier. We packed everything each of use needed in one of my two suitcases from the cruise, a small carry-on size bag, two backpacks, and two guitar case. And guess what? When we were packing to come home after our glorious vacation I had a familiar realization. I could have easily lived on less during that month. Easily. you'd think at this point I wouldn't be surprised, but I was shocked all over again. Maybe minimalism as a lifestyle wasn't as crazy as I'd once thought?
Jason has been a great support through all of these revelations, and a bit amused. He gave away and sold most of his belongings a couple years ago until everything he owned fit into 2 rubbermaid tubs, a backpack, and ten guitar cases (there are just a couple more guitar cases now...). His reasonable minimalism, which he talks about in terms of ridding himself of "life anchors", planted the seed when we first met. But I always thought that while living without life anchors was all well and good for him, I could NEVER just get rid of all my stuff. I was so, so wrong!
This shift in my thinking, and the actions it lead me to take, has inspired me to create a brand new series on the blog: Living With Less! This will be made up of weekly posts on the topic of minimalism every Tuesday on the blog for the next couple of months. I am so excited to share what I've learned with you and hopefully inspire you to give minimalism a try!
Are you interested in Jason's take on minimalism and life anchors? Let me know in the comments below! Maybe he'll be kind enough to write a guest post for the series! :)
Keep reading to get a preview of what's to come for the reminder of 2015!
Decluttering.
This new way of thinking was a big step for me, but still just in my head. That's where Marie Kondo comes in.
I don't know when I first heard about this book, or how I was reminded at just the right time, but I purchased a copy and read it cover to cover in a day and a half.
The day after I finished reading I got started, and I haven't looked back since!
Look forward to my upcoming post on decluttering, the Marie Kondo way (and a book review)!
Organizing.
The next step after decluttering all of my things was organizing what was left. I wanted to find a place for every belonging so that I wouldn't have to spend any more of my precious time looking for misplaced things. At one point I was losing items daily and the amount of stress it was causing was astronomical! Once my physical belongings were starting to shape up, I moved on to my digital life. Documents, pictures, music, email; I sorted it all. I also devised a backup system so that I would never have to worry about lost data again, with valuable help from Jason! Look forward to a post on organizing your physical things and a post on organizing you digital life explaining all of the techniques I used to sort out my life!
Capsule wardrobe.
This one is probably the aspect of the minimalism lifestyle that excites me the most. I have always been the one with a humongous closet and nothing to wear. I spent quite a few years as a shopaholic, but still struggled with getting dressed every single morning. I first heard about capsule wardrobes a few years ago, when project 333 became popular. I thought about doing it, but didn't believe I was capable of reducing my wardrobe so drastically. Then, a couple of months ago, I found Un-Fancy, and it changed everything! Caroline made starting a capsule wardrobe sound so easy, and so awesome, that I immediately wanted to do it. I made a quasi-capsule wardrobe for summer as a bit of a trial and really enjoyed the simplicity it was bringing to my life. Now that a new season is around the corner, I am SO excited to be going full bore into creating a fall capsule wardrobe to wear from October to December! I'm going to be writing a post on how to create a capsule wardrobe and a post showing you what I chose for my very first capsule collection for the beginning of October so that you can give it a try in fall along with me, if you like!
In the meantime, check out my Capsule Wardrobe inspiration board on Pinterest!
Buying less and more consciously.
The final step for me at the beginning of this minimalism journey has to be buying less things and being more intentional about the things that I do purchase. I have been working on this for years, but am now really taking the time to focus on strategies to help me reduce the number of things I bring into my home and being hyper aware of what those things are (how they're made, by whom, and with what). Look out for a post on how to buy less and, one I'm VERY excited about, a shopping guide for the conscious vegan!
I hope you are as excited about my Living With Less series as I am and will come back for each instalment! If you have any suggestions on topics I should cover, or questions, or personal experiences, please share them with me in the comments or on social media! I love hearing from my readers and want to provide content that you enjoy and find valuable.
Until next time,
Do you enjoy minimalism posts? Click the heart below and let me know you like it! Don't forget to subscribe so you won't miss any of the posts in the Living With Less series!
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