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Creating a Minimalist Playroom

Is it actually possible?

By Lilly CharlesPublished 6 years ago 3 min read
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Today was the day! I was finally going to tackle my toddlers playroom. Too long I had stood back and watched the toys mount up.

I could no longer find his favourites amongst the endless stream of mini figures, accessories, blocks, kinder egg plastic and junk my child had thrown in for good measure.

The Main Event

I took a short, sharp breath and walked through the door. I stood there for a moment embracing the mess and realised it was time. Time to donate all the toys he had grown out of and had generally lost interest in.

The bin bag was quickly being filled with broken trinkets, jigsaw pieces, vehicles with no wheels and one off gimcrack purchases.

Toys that looked new also made their way into a bag to give away. This was difficult as I remembered buying them not long ago. Unfortunately, for some reason or another, my son had not taken to them.

Box after box I found a rhythm until something made me stop in my tracks. I’d reached the container which held baby toys. Items that hadn’t been touched in years. Forgotten until this very moment. I shouldn’t of even looked. I couldn’t remember half of what was in there. I dusted off the lid and took a peek.

Sentimental Value

I am a very sentimental person and get attached to objects effortlessly, which isn’t a great quality for a minimalist in training.

I put aside his newborn plush to keep.

Taking pictures of certain objects made it easer. Cardboard books, teething rings, rattles all went into the donation box. I gave each stuffed animal one last squeeze, it was extremely difficult. I had no use for them anymore, my son had grown and paid them no attention. Knowing another child would give them a new lease of life made me happy.

After all, the memories were inside me and not in the objects themselves. Possessions can help remind us of those precious moments. Taking pictures can spark a similar recollection without having to keep hold of every little thing.

Giving My Son the Choice

Once the clutter had been removed I explained to my three year old son that it was time to let go of the toys he didn’t play with anymore. We spoke about the fact he had to pull out most of his toys to find the one good one he wanted to play with, we discussed the children that would love to play with the toys he ignored.

Sitting down together we placed a couple of objects into a bag. (Since he is only three, I obviously didn’t let him throw out anything he did play with or anything that was of use or value to him).

Holding the donation bag with great enthusiasm, we toddled down the road to our nearest charity shop. He offered the toys to the lady behind the counter, “These are presents” he announced. A very proud moment, he was so happy with himself.

My son now finds toys with ease. The room doesn’t get destroyed after an intense play session. Boxes don’t get emptied in the search for that perfect plaything as everything in that room brings him joy.

"Just in case"

Just in case. A label you give something you don’t need but don’t want to part with. Items that have no real purpose anymore. Just in case is never a certainty, unlike, when I need. A Christmas tree for example it’s not just in case of an unexpected holiday season, it’s for when I need it at Christmas.

This was the reason my sons playroom was in the state it was. I’d kept objects just in case he played with them (which he never did).

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About the Creator

Lilly Charles

I am a minimalist and a mum trying to spread positivity, awareness and motivation to others around me.

“Love people and use things, as the opposite never works”.

A quote from “the minimalists”.

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