Harvesting Simplicity - Finding the joy in living simply and freely - Living Room Freed!
- Melissa Cotton
- Mar 31
- 4 min read
Melissa Cotton is the creator of this series of posts, published monthly, entitled Harvesting Simplicity and in July of 2025 she will be moderating a book club exploring Things That Matter by Joshua Becker. (click here to join her!)
Have you ever found yourself holding onto items in your home simply because it’s what everyone else has, or because society tells us they’re essential? Several years ago, I faced a similar dilemma in my own home. Our couch had several decorative throw pillows. These pillows were of high quality and looked stunning when perfectly arranged, and at times, I even swapped them out to match the seasons or holidays. However, most of my time spent with these pillows was dedicated to picking them up off the floor!
Whenever we gathered to relax or enjoy family time, the pillows would inevitably get tossed aside, ending up on the floor. Eventually, I asked myself a pivotal question: Do we really need these pillows? Are they adding value, or are they simply an unnecessary obstacle?
Curious, I decided to experiment. I removed the pillows from the couch and stored them in a container in our basement, determined to see if anyone would even realize they were gone. To my surprise, no one noticed the missing pillows right away. Instead, my family immediately appreciated the newfound space on the couch!
As a result of this experiment, I donated the throw pillows—along with many other items I realized were no longer serving us—and no longer felt frustrated by the constant cycle of picking them up. This experience taught me a valuable lesson in evaluating the true purpose of our possessions and the importance of embracing simplicity.
Here are some helpful tips to simplify your kitchen
● Relocate Things That Don’t Belong: Every item in your home needs a spot to “live”. Take things that don’t belong in your family room and return them to where they belong in your home. (1)
● Clear Flat Surfaces: Look at the open, flat spaces (shelves, bookcases, tabletops etc). Many items are often accumulated on these surfaces. On their own, there may be nothing wrong with these items, but collectively, they can be too much in a space. (1)
● Decor: For most people, many of the decorations in your home have no personal value. When you walked through a store they just happened to match your color scheme or were on sale. Unfortunately, these things are a distraction from the decorations in your home that highlight your values or have a personal story attached to them. (2) If the decor in your living room no longer fits your style, let it go. It will make your space feel lighter and more intentional. (1)
● Furniture: Removing excess furniture from your living room will immediately open up significant space in your home. (2) Try removing at least one piece of furniture from your living space and see how it feels. You will be amazed at the results!
● Storage Areas: Cabinets, drawers, and game closets are some of the best spots in your family room to declutter. Many items stored in these spaces have not been needed for years. Free up that space by removing anything you are not using anymore. Then you can use these spaces for things that are actually worth keeping. (1)
Minimizing your living room is not just about decluttering; it's about creating a space that reflects your true needs and lifestyle. By carefully selecting items that bring value and purpose, you can design an environment that promotes relaxation and functionality. Let go of unnecessary possessions, and focus on what truly enhances your daily life. In my next blog, I will offer practical tips for decluttering your bedroom, helping you let go of items that no longer serve a purpose and allowing you to create a more functional and intentional space.
Sources
1 Becker, J. (2018). The minimalist home: A room-by-room guide to a decluttered, refocused life. WaterBrook.
2 Becker, J. (2017). The more of less: Finding the life you want under everything you own. WaterBrook.
Melissa is a first grade teacher with a double major in Elementary Education and Early Childhood. She also has a Master’s Degree in Education Administration. After reading T. Colin Campbell’s book, The China Study, she stopped eating the Standard American Diet (SAD) and has been eating a nutrient-rich, plant-based diet. In December 2023, she earned Dr Joel Fuhrman’s Nutritarian Coaching Certificate. Melissa is an active member of the National Health Association (NHA).
Melissa is also the writer/creator of our 2024 blog series Exploring GBOMBS. Her love for teaching and learning will support others on their journey for optimal health and wellness.
Discover practical steps you can take today to live a life focused on things that matter. Disruptions are the enemies of a life well lived—both the new distractions of our generation and timeless ones that have existed for centuries. But that can change today.
Things That Matter is a book about living well. It’s about overcoming the chatter of a world focused on all the wrong things. It’s about rethinking the common assumptions of today to find satisfaction and fulfillment tomorrow.
How do we get to the end of our lives with minimal regrets? We set aside lesser pursuits to seek lasting meaning. And we discover the joy of doing it every day. In Things That Matter, Joshua Becker uses practical exercises, questions, insights from a nationwide survey, and success stories to give you the motivation you need to
• identify the pursuits that matter most to you
• align your dreams with your daily priorities
• recognize how money and possessions keep you from happiness
• become aware of how others’ opinions of you influence your choices
• embrace what you’re truly passionate about instead of planning that next escape
• figure out what to do with all those emails, notifications, and pings
• let go of past mistakes and debilitating habits
Be well
Stop.Breathe.Focus.Move.Flow.
Could not agree more Melissa. Less is more, for certain. We are travelers in this world, passing through, the lighter we keep the smoother our journey.
I look forward to the journey of your book club offering in July. All our members in 6D, please join this journey and several others in the book club offerings just before this book club of Melissa's that will set your mood and mind and focus on decluttering of our mind.
With your mind decluttered, the decluttering your space following things that matter book club will be a breeze.