Thanks REI for the campaign to spend Black Friday not shopping and shoving for $1 socks and a new coffee maker.

As a newbie minimalist, I didn't want to join the commercialism the day has come to be filled with...but let's face it...sometimes I'm shallow and want to buy things or just lay around the house in yoga pants.

Just keeping it real y'all!

Thankfully I'd gone to REI a few weeks back to pick up a HydroFlask True Pint and I saw the #optoutside sticker.

I was intrigued because I had an open spot on my 16 oz HydroFlask for a new sticker. Yes I'm so deep and yes I own a lot of HydroFlask sizes.

Don't judge me.

The cashier let me know that REI stores were going to be closed on Black Friday to encourage people to spend the day outside being active instead jostling outside Walmart.

Boom!

New sticker and a bandwagon I can jump on to get me out of the house after Thanksgiving!

If you look up the hashtag on Instagram you'll see a plethora of folks doing outdoor activities and enjoying nature. After a whole day dedicated to being thankful...somehow it just seems right to step away from the normal Black Friday madness.

None of this is to put down those who took advantage of great sales! Way to be frugal! This post is to encourage all of us to take a step back (preferably outside) and get active and explore nature, the most beautiful free experience we have on this planet!

Selfie of my Uncle Jim and I as we spent the morning and early afternoon biking around Lake Washington. Such a sunny gloriously crisp day!

The wrapping paper is gone, the food coma has worn off, the relatives have evacuated, the New Year approaches and your closet/house/under your bed/spare room/every room is full of new things, presents, the old clutter and and it's overwhelming.

It's smothering.

It's asphyxiating.

HELP!

I was about to go bonkers with how full my bedroom/home office/living space was getting.

NO MORE!

Those blogs about minimalist living were calling to me in sweet, steady, simple whispers promising freedom from stuff and methods to dig out from the pile of unnecessary stuff.

This was one of my favorites with some great step-by-step ideas. I'm not a lock stock and barrel minimalist...but I'm borrowing some practices.

I chose to start at the Achilles heel of most women's accumulation.

The closet {Insert dramatic Phantom of Opera music}

My first step was to empty the whole contents of closet and shelves onto my bed and line up all of my shoes.

1} Get everything out where you can see it. EVERYTHING. no cheating.

2} Get rid of duplicates. I did this with tennis shoes {and a few other things}. I have two pairs...old nikes from college, and new-ish trail running shoes that I use now that I live in the boondocks again. I only use one pair. So the other goes bye-bye.

3} Hold the garment up and ask honestly. "Do I wear this?" Don't ask if it's a good brand, a quality piece. Do you wear it or do you reach past it consistently for something else? I have a perfect white cardigan, Eddie Bauer brand and everything. But I ALWAYS reach past it for a gray cardigan I found at a second hand store in Alaska. It has no tag and the buttons were broken so I took them off...but it's my favorite sweater...it goes with everything...and it doesn't need friends that never go out hanging next to it. Bye-bye unworn white cardigan.

4} Give question mark garments a trial period. I have a few really interesting pieces that I never wear but they would make the CUTEST outfit {so I imagine} but somehow those "cutest" outfits never happen. Like the red knit top pictured above...perfect details, so many possibilities...yet still unworn. I took photos of the question marks and gave myself one week to work them into an outfit. If they don't get worn in that week...off they go.

5} Bag up the rejects right away. Don't let the pile be visible or hang about. Put it in a trash bag by the door on its way to a second hand store or charity. You'll be surprised how you can't even remember what was gotten rid of. I can't recall right now and it's been only a few days.

6} Enjoy your extra space and decreased clutter!

PS TIP

Make a rule to help yourself not have to do this grueling and emotional process again...or at least not as soon.

Closet Rule: If something goes in, something comes out.

I'm surprised how well this has already worked. I received a new scarf and pitched and old one. Hopefully I can keep up with it and stay disciplined!