Minimalism - with Character
- Jessica Lockwood
- Mar 30
- 4 min read
How I Transformed My Cluttered Life Into a Purposeful One
Let me be real with you for a minute - for a long time I thought minimalism meant stark white walls, empty shelves, and a life stripped of personality. It seemed cold, boring, and quite frankly, unrealistic. Especially for someone like me - a working mom juggling business, family, and the everyday chaos.
But then I realized something....minimalism isn't about having nothing - it's about having what matters.
At one point in my life, my drawers were overflowing, my cabinets wouldn't shut, and my surfaces were so cluttered with things I thought I needed but never used. Like so many of my clients today, I was juggling too much, holding onto "just in case" items, and feeling so overwhelmed in my own space.
Then came the shift.
I took control. I started being intentional - not just with my stuff, but with my habits too. Because minimalism isn't just about decluttering, it's about the habits that keep you from drowning in excess again.
What Minimalism Means to Me
Minimalism is not about deprivation, it's about curation. It's about choosing what truly serves you, what brings you joy, and what actually gets used.
For me, minimalism means:
✔️ Fewer choices, more clarity - I don't need 6 different face washes; I need one that works.
✔️ Using what I have, rather than collecting things "just in case".
✔️ Owning fewer gadgets and single-use items that just collect dust.
✔️ Letting go of "backup clutter" - the things we keep for a future that never comes.
I see this with my clients all the time, especially those who love to over-prepare and overstock. We live in a world where we're told to buy in bulk, keep extras, and prepare for every possible scenario, just in case. But what happens?
➡️ Most of it goes bad before it's every used.
➡️ It becomes outdated, expired, or forgotten.
➡️ And worst of all, it creates an illusion of security - but instead of peace, it leaves us drowning in excess.
The Reality Check: A Kitchen Transformation
One of my clients had a huge kitchen renovation, and during the process, we packed up totes upon totes of kitchen items, shelving units stacked high in the basement. When it was time to move everything back into their beautiful, newly renovated space, we did it intentionally.
✔️ We only brought back what was truly needed and loved.
✔️ We gave each item a designated home so they could find things effortlessly.
✔️ We left the clutter behind.
Weeks passed. Then months. Six months later, the basement was still full of unopened boxes - filled with stuff they hadn't thought about or needed.
That was the wake-up call. They saw firsthand how much they were holding onto that they didn't actually need. They realized that before, their cabinets were so full, their drawers so packed, that they couldn't even appreciate their space.
Now? They see the beauty in having less - but living more.
How You Can Incorporate Minimalism Without Losing Character
Minimalism isn't about living in a sterile, personality-less space. It's about creating a home that reflects YOU - with intention.
🔷 Be honest about what you actually use. If you haven't touched it in six months or even a year, do you really need it? Probably not.
🔷 Create limits. One drawer for utensils, one shelf for mugs - if it doesn't fit, something has to go.
🔷 Reframe your thinking. Instead of asking "What if I need this someday?" ask, "Am I willing to store it, clean it, and maintain this for the unknown future?"
🔷 Make your space work for you. Display the pieces that bring you joy - your grandmother's bowl, a unique thrifted vase, a piece of artwork that speaks to you. Minimalism doesn't mean stripping away character.
Minimalism Comes Down to Habits
I hate to break it to you, but decluttering once isn't enough. If your habits don't change, the clutter just comes back.
Start with small, daily habits - put things away immediately, don't let mail pile up, do regular "reset" sweeps.
Be mindful of what you bring into your home. Every new item should have a purpose, a place, and a reason to stay.
Don't let "just in case" rule your life. Those "what if" items often turn into wasted space and forgotten clutter.
When you finally let go of the excess, you feel the difference. You realize how much lighter, clearer, and more intentional life can be.
Minimalism isn't about having nothing, it's about having what truly matters. And when you finally experience that clutter-free, purposeful space, you'll never want to go back. I promise you.
Let's Find YOUR Version of Minimalism
Minimalism looks different for everyone, and that's okay! I help people create a version that works for them - not one that strips away personality, but one that eliminates the stress and overwhelm of too much stuff.
If you're feeling buried in clutter, surrounded by things you don't even use, and crave more space - physically and mentally - I'd love to help.
Because trust me when I say this, once you experience the freedom of less, you'll never look back.
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