Minimal Choices

"Minimalism is a tool to rid yourself of life’s excess in favor of focusing on what’s important—so you can find happiness, fulfillment, and freedom".

1. 1 Day = 1 Item.

Colleen Madsen  gives away one item each day. Over the past several years, she has experienced quite a transformation simply reducing her stuff one day at a time.

2. Oprah Winfrey Closet Hanger Experiment.

Here's how it works: clear out clothing items from your closet by hanging all of your clothes with the hangers in the opposite direction. When you're finished wearing an item, place it back into the closet with the hanger facing the normal direction you choose. Wait for about six months or so (however long suits you) and you’ll begin to know which clothes you don't mind selling or donating. This method also works wonders on anything else you have laying around in the house!

3. Donation.

There are hundreds of donation centers such as St. Vincent's and Goodwill that are always excepting decent home goods every day, so get busy and get organizing!

4. Four-Box Method.

Pretty easy: grab four good-sized boxes and label one for Trash, Keep, Giveaway, and Sell. Go through each room in the house (including the kitchen) and remember to always ask yourself if the item is an absolute necessity if you have any hesitation.

5. 333 Challenge.

Also known as Project 333, Courtney Carver created this wonderful challenge for people to wear only 33 articles of clothing for 3 months. Try picking a new number if 33 is too difficult of a challenge. Most importantly, learn and have fun!

6.  Organize a Yard Sale.

Want more simplicity? Then keep it classic by creating nice, eye-catching signs for a profitable sale right at home. Keep your earnings, or spread some love and donate to charity for a more worthy and rewarding act. Need ideas? Help children fight against cancer at St. Jude. or be a part of humanitarian aid at the Red Cross.

7. Change your perspective. 

This can be difficult for some, but that's ok! Don't pressure yourself and allow these experiences to over burden you. Take baby steps if this is your first time and things will fall together naturally.

8. 12-12-12 Challenge. 

A simple challenge of finding 12 items in your home to donate, 12 items to sell, and 12 items that aren't usable and can be thrown away. It's a fun and exciting way to quickly organize 36 things in your house. 

9. 30 Day Spend Fast.

Take time to learn about your purchases from buying clothes to grocery shopping and decide whether it's necessary or unnecessary.

10. Imagination- Use it! 

Psychology Today recommends using your imagination to help declutter things that may seem a bit difficult to get rid of. Try searching for creative DIY's on Youtube. Here are some helpful videos for inspiration: 

-DIY Room Decor Ideas by Christine Kobzeff.

-44 Organizing ideas #1 [With Bedroom Decluttering Tips] by Simple Home Art Decor Ideas

-8 ORGANIZING HACKS & TIPS FOR SPRING!  by RachhLoves

To learn more about minimalism, check out The Minimalists at www.theminimalists.com.

Back To School Again

School is back again for some of us and sometimes it can be difficult to get your head in the zone. Here is a list of some helpful ways to get yourself into that school "mode" again and get over the slumps.

1. Learning something new

Always remember that going to school is a privilege, so take advantage of learning new things while your knowledge is growing and your mind is still fresh. 

2. Think about your future

The more smarts you have, the greater your chances are of having the career of your dreams and a successful life ahead. Stay focused and all of your plans should come together naturally.

3. New Year, New You

Begin the year of 2017 on a new start. If you're one to set goals and resolutions for yourself, then let your education be a part of that.

4. Be an inspiration 

Share your experiences on your journey so far, whether it would be on social media or to even someone you know. If you show your positive attitude to others about school, your friends and family will appreciate the things you have accomplished for yourself. which in return, will help to motivate you even more.

5. Amp up your study space

The feeling of excitement when buying something new for school is always enjoyable. Add some refreshing art to your walls and get school supplies that have a little edge. Show off your personality so you don't feel like a drag when going back. If you need some ideas, you can check out some awesome notebooks on Society6.

http://www.imagineyourart.org/single-post/2017/01/09/Back-To-School-5-Things-To-Help-Get-Motivated

Art in Humanity

Humanity [hyoo-man-i-tee or, often, yoo-]:
1. all human beings collectively; the human race; humankind.
2. the quality or condition of being human; human nature.
3. the quality of being humane; kindness; benevolence.

There's a story behind this, as for every picture has its own story. What is the story for this captured photo you might ask? That I don't know for sure, but here is mine:

Saturday afternoon while driving around downtown Phoenix, I catch a glimpse of a woman who looked homeless. All she had with her was a cloth bag, a dirty pillow, a worn pink hat and a can of food being held in her hand. What really caught my eye was that the food was not to feed herself, but to feed these two cats beside her, begging for whatever was in that can. I asked if I could take some photos of her and the furry felines and she kindly said yes as she went about her routine. I was truly amazed and felt an honest pleasure to come across someone so humane towards these gentle creatures,  and to witness her give one of the only few things she had, is what I would say this action is the Art in Humanity.

http://www.imagineyourart.org/single-post/2016/05/16/Art-in-Humanity

Beauty in the Eyes of the Architect

Everything on this planet that is inhibited or abandoned, manufactured or with a heart beat, will have a beginning and an end. From a multi-million dollar mansion built on Camelback mountain in Arizona, to a burned and destroyed constructed wood house such as this one shown in the picture taken above that was once called 'home' to someone. "The magnificence of decay. Now home to nature and dust",  Andre Govia says in his book Abandoned Planet.  And yes, even in decay there is beauty! I enjoy photo shoots such as this one as it allows you to learn and discover something new every time.

http://www.imagineyourart.org/single-post/2016/05/12/Beauty-in-the-Eyes-of-the-Architect

To Graffiti or Not To Graffiti...

Beauty [byoo-tee]:
1. The quality present in a thing or person that gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind, whether arising from sensory manifestations, a meaningful design or pattern.
2. A beautiful thing, as a work of art or a building.

When passing an area with paint sprayed on walls of buildings, do you ever stop and think about the meaning behind the picture, whether it represents a name or indicates a story? Graffiti can be seen all around the world and before each dedicated portrait was planned and created, it consisted primarily of treacherous work. While my love for photography grew, fascination with artists’ and their ability to use spray paint to create such works of art has astonished me. “If art like this is a crime, let God forgive me”, says Lee in the book Subway Art, 25th Anniversary Edition. For such a powerful statement, it truly has meaning. How can such a thing be a crime?

In a society when drinking and smoking is legal to slowly decompose yourself, then to originate beauty and diffuse meanings through art around the world has become aberrant.

Graffiti has evolved and formed through the mix of different international youth cultures and the adaption of a public statement over time; and in return, it gives a voice to the people to allow their minds to form what they want to create. “There needs to be more legal space for it in cities like Vancouver”,  says [Titlegraf] from Instagram.  Ideas should be expressed and what better ways to express an artists' ideas through graffiti?

http://www.imagineyourart.org/single-post/2016/03/15/To-Graffiti-or-Not-to-Graffiti