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Harvesting Simplicity
6D Blog Series sharing ways to simplify life
Melissa Cotton is the creator of this series of posts, published monthly, entitled Harvesting Simplicity. We live in a world that constantly pushes us to accumulate more—more things, more commitments, more distractions—it's easy to feel overwhelmed. But what if the key to a more fulfilling and meaningful life isn’t about having more, but about having less?
This blog series, Harvesting Simplicity, explores how embracing minimalism can lead to greater clarity, peace of mind, and a deeper connection with what truly matters. Minimalism isn’t just about decluttering your physical space. It is about creating space for what brings you true happiness and purpose in your life.
Each month I will share practical tips and insights on how simplifying your environment, routines, and mindset can help you discover the joy of living with intention. Each month's new post will be added here as we move forward through this journey together of Harvesting Simplicity in our lives.
Harvesting Simplicity - Decluttering Sentimental Items
When you begin decluttering, it can be tempting to tackle whatever takes up the most space. But there is one category you should probably save for last: sentimental items. Here is an important distinction: letting go of an item is not the same as letting go of a person.
Harvesting Simplicity - Choosing Enough in a World of More
In a world that profits from convincing us we never have enough, choosing contentment is a radical act. Maybe the secret to a calmer home isn't buying better things. Maybe it's simply buying fewer of them.
Harvesting Simplicity - The Art of Keeping a Minimal Home
A minimalist home is not created in a single weekend. It develops through intentional choices made day after day. By decluttering regularly, shopping mindfully, and maintaining simple habits, you can create a home that feels lighter, calmer, and easier to enjoy.
Harvesting Simplicity - Declutter First, Organize Second: The Secret to a Calm Minimalist Home
When decluttering and organizing work together in the right order, they create a home that is not only clean and functional but also aligned with your values. Minimalism is not about perfection. It is about making room for clarity, purpose, and peace in everyday life.
Harvesting Simplicity - The Donatable Donate Box: A Simple Habit for Ongoing Decluttering
Minimalism works best when you see it as a continuous process, not a final destination.
One of the simplest, most effective practices my family and I have adopted is keeping a donatable donation box—somewhere visible and easy to access. Not tucked away in a closet or buried in the garage, but in a place where we can get to it easily.
Harvesting Simplicity - Your Home Is Not a Storage Unit
Your home is not a storage unit—it’s a living, breathing space meant to support and reflect your life. It should work for you, not against you, offering comfort, clarity, and ease in your daily routines. When your environment is aligned with your needs, it becomes a place where you can truly rest, focus, and feel at home.
Harvesting Simplicity - Stop Organizing. Start Decluttering.
It took me far too long to realize that organizing and decluttering are not the same thing. Organizing is about arranging. It asks, “Where should this go?” Decluttering, on the other hand, is about removing. It asks a much harder question: “Am I using this item?” Here’s the key difference: organizing manages your stuff; decluttering reduces it.
Harvesting Simplicity - Making Space After the Holidays
Decluttering holiday decor isn’t about losing memories. It’s about honoring them while creating space for new ones. When you keep only what you love and use, the holidays become lighter, not just in your home, but in your mind. Letting go of what no longer serves you makes decorating more joyful and intentional. It also gives you room to focus on the traditions and moments that truly matter.
Harvesting Simplicity - A to Z Decluttering: Simplify Your Space in 2026
Decluttering doesn’t have to be a chore—it can actually be kind of fun! Tackle one letter, one item, or one little pile at a time and celebrate each win. Before you know it, your home feels lighter, brighter, and a whole lot happier.
Harvesting Simplicity - 10 Surprising Things We No Longer Keep
Removing these items has done more than declutter our home—it’s simplified our routines, cleared mental space, and created room for what truly matters. Minimalism isn’t about less; it’s about making space for more meaningful moments.
Harvesting Simplicity - The Power of Clean Surfaces
Living with clear surfaces isn’t about perfection or rigidity—it’s about creating a home that feels calm, open, and intentional. It sets the tone for how you live and move through your space. Start with just one surface. Clear it. Leave it empty. Let it breathe. You may be surprised by how much lighter your home—and your mind—begin to feel.
Harvesting Simplicity - Less is More—Even When It’s Free
Free items take up physical space in our homes, requiring time and energy to store, clean, or eventually declutter. They add to the mental weight of decision fatigue—where to put them, whether to keep them, how to use them. And most importantly, they distract us from the things we truly value.
Harvesting Simplicity - 3 Simple Questions to Ask Before Decluttering
Minimalism isn't about owning less just for the sake of it—it's about making space for what truly matters in your life. Whether you're new to decluttering or well into your minimalist journey, pausing to ask the right questions before letting go can help you make intentional, lasting changes.
Harvesting Simplicity - Experimenting with Minimalism in our homes
“Not sure you want to get rid of something, try living without it for a while and then decide whether it’s necessary to you or superfluous. ” Joshua Becker
Harvesting Simplicity - Finding the joy in living simply and freely - Bedroom Freed!
Your bedroom should feel like a place to rest, not a storage unit. Clutter can cloud your mind, stress you out, and disrupt your sleep. The good news? You can create a calmer space in just a few intentional steps.
Harvesting Simplicity - Finding the joy in living simply and freely - Living Room Freed!
Have you ever paused to reflect on whether the possessions in your home contribute to your sense of peace?
Harvesting Simplicity - Finding the joy in living simply and freely - Owning Less!
Have you ever paused to reflect on whether the possessions in your home contribute to your sense of peace?
Harvesting Simplicity - Finding the joy in living simply and freely - Exploring Minimalism
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 felt overwhelmed by all of the stuff in your home? The world we live in is constantly pushing us to accumulate more possessions with promises that the latest thing will make our lives better and easier. The reality is that the more p
Harvesting Simplicity - Finding the joy in living simply and freely - Releasing more than just 'stuff'
Melissa Cotton is the creator of this series of posts, published monthly, entitled Harvesting Simplicity and in the summer of 2025 she will be moderating a book club exploring Things That Matter by Joshua Becker. We live in a world that constantly pushes us to accumulate more—more things, more commitments, more distractions—it's easy to feel overwhelmed. But what if the key to a more fulfilling and meaningful life isn’t about having more, but about having less? My new blog se
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