A MEADOW Springs family of five will become minimalists and give away 70 per cent of their possessions in an effort to de-stress.
Lime Zesters owner Cassie Bracknell said she would keep only the bare minimum in her home.
“I’ve always been interested in the concept of becoming a minimalist,” Ms Bracknell said.
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READ NOW“It’s a journey that started roughly three years ago but I could never bring myself to deal with the emotional attachment I had to our ‘things’.
“I like my home to be tidy and organised but obviously that changes when you have kids as they can bring some chaos to the tidiness, but it’s so deep and meaningful to have a space around you that brings happiness.”
Ms Bracknell also hopes removing some possessions will increase the time she has to spend with her children.
“We’re a family of five so when you think about it we’re not going to need 20 dinner plates; we’re going to be giving away those types of things,” she said.
“I suppose it occurred to me something should be done when one of my daughters said a couple of weeks ago ‘we should ask mum to come and play with us’ and my other daughter responded ‘she’s got washing to do and she’s got things to put away’. If we reduce the amount we have in our house, I’ll have more time for moments with my kids.”
Ms Bracknell said her three children, aged between 3 and 7, would be involved in the process.
“Some of the kids’ toys will go but I want them to take ownership of what stays and what doesn’t because if we can get them into that thought process at an early age, then they’re going to grow up being wiser with their spending,” she said.
Ms Bracknell said they would sell their large possessions but the rest would be donated.
“Some people have contacted me so some things will go to them, as well as Halo, Pat Thomas House women’s refuge and other organisations around Mandurah that give back to the community,” she said.
Ms Bracknell said she was inspired by ‘The Minimalists’ duo Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, and author Marie Kondo.
“Moving forward is exciting as we’ll be more careful with every purchase made in the future, only allowing things into our home that bring us joy,” she said.
“I’m looking forward to creating more space in our lives.”