Andy Hawthorne

I’ve decided to embrace minimalism. A simple life. Clean surfaces, no clutter, inner peace.

(Piece of what? (Eh?))

To make a start, I needed to buy the essentials: storage boxes, drawer dividers, minimalist shelving, and three books on how to live with less. 

Then I ordered a label-maker, because what’s the point of simplicity if you don’t know which box your spare batteries are in?

I also cleared out my wardrobe. That was liberating. I now own three T-shirts — which is why I had to buy another four, just in case. And new shoes, because the old ones didn’t feel very minimalist. And some socks, because the label-maker needed something to do.

Label makers do get quite stroppy when they re not labelling things. Just a public service warning. 

The house looks fantastic. Well, it will once I’ve found somewhere to put the forty-seven empty boxes currently stacked in the hallway. And the recycling bin. And the receipts for all my simplicity purchases.

So yes, minimalism is working beautifully. I’ve never had so much stuff in the pursuit of owning so little. Inner peace is definitely just one more delivery away.

Right, which box did I put my mugs in?