The cantaloupe rule

No, this isn't a rule on how to cut a cantaloupe...
It's a rule I once heard about the size of objects on display in your home.  For some reason it makes me think of a little old lady home.  There's a lady that attends my church that loves collectibles.  It's not just one type of thing either.  She just loves to collect things! If she finds something she likes, she has to have nearly every item similar to it and then display it in some fashion.  She was living in a small apartment at one time and had to rotate her collectibles.  They bring her so much joy and she loves to show them off.
Well, maybe at 80 years old I will find collectibles a.k.a "dust collectors" something that brings me joy.  However,At 30 something, that is not the case.  My home consists of half eaten snack bars, juice cups, cookie crumbles, baby dolls, and Lego blocks.  With a two year old mess running around, it is hard to keep the house tidy.  I do not want anything else in my home that even resembles clutter.

Take a look around your living room.  Is it cleaned up? If you answered yes then assess how you feel in the space.  Is it a space that makes you feel calm? Cozy? Comfortable?  If you can't answer yes to any one of these three, you have too much stuff and the stuff you have is probably tiny trinkets.

I read this amazing article about the affects of clutter on the brain. The article has some interesting points about marketing and the affects of touching objects and how we become more attached over time and the frequency of touch.  Yeah, so when you are shopping...don't touch anything! Ha Ha!
Here's a little section from the article that just stood out to me.

Whether it be your closet or office desk, excess things in your surroundings can have a negative impact on your ability to focus and process information. That’s exactly what neuroscientists at Princeton University found when they looked at people’s task performance in an organized versus disorganized environment. The results of the study showed that physical clutter in your surroundings competes for your attention, resulting in decreased performance and increased stress.

Read the article below...you will thank me later.
How clutter affects the brain and what you can do about it

It just makes sense to keep your home decor simple and larger.  Statement pieces should be the focus. You will be one step closer to creating a Zen home and lowering your stress levels.   Now, go make some money selling those little trinkets at your next garage sale.