No More Stuff
The quest for minimalism and a healthy, happy life is prevalent in a society starving for fellowship. You cannot take a pill for this. It is a daily choice of living. People are succumbing to the constant marketing of buy this, and it will solve that…buy that, and it will solve this. And what is funny is that many of these books, courses, and training are how to get rid of stuff that we bought to solve this, that, or the other.
When you are about to buy something, can you see the future with this product in your life? Do you see it as a desired item 6 months, two years, eight years from now? Where is it going to reside in 3 years?
Quest For Minimalism
While looking at many of the products in my home and garage, I realize that much of the items were only temporary. Some of the items were purchased because I could not find what I had on hand. Who in their right mind needs three boxes of staples?
There are however items I needed at the time but are of no use to me now. Those things are gone or going. I love not having to dust around so many things. I love being able to look across the room and feel at peace. And finally, I love not having so much to maintain (except for the yard) in the house that it takes me away from being outside.
Read: Decluttering Methods of Minimalist Masters
Get into the habit of looking for things that you no longer need or want while you are in the garage, closets, and other areas of storage. This habit will help you keep up on the quest for minimalism. You will eventually see an end in sight.
Starving For Fellowship
What does all of this have to do with a society starving for fellowship? Well, I am not a psychologist or doctor of any sort. But, I do have many years of running a day planner and time management company, on top of being a woman hanging around with many different women on a regular basis. I have heard it all.
People have shared with me their time management needs, day planner needs, and life needs as far back as I can remember. They all wanted – needed to get organized and on top of their schedules so they would have…MORE TIME for friends and family. The one consistent need was and still is “fellowship and friends.” Sadly, it is often the physical stuff in life that takes up valuable space and time that could be spent elsewhere. This one issue is why we are in a huge movement to live a minimalistic life. We have too-much-stuff. And that stuff takes time to maintain it.
Since getting rid of things that weigh me down, I have more time to hang out with friends when they call spur of the moment. I also have time to visit new waterfalls, hiking trails, or just hang out in my yard. This is what most people want, right? This is what I want.
Be Intentional
Have you looked around your house lately? Take inventory of what you have in your storage spaces. Do a little soul searching. Then, before you buy something, ask yourself these questions:
1. Why are you buying it?
2. Do you need it, want it, or is it to feel better about something else?
2. Will there be maintenance behind having it?
3. Do you already have the item or something similar?
Let us know what you figure out. Other people may need to hear it.
Cheers!
You keep me on task!
Thank you for all your ideas and encouragement!
You are so welcome Sandi! It’s readers like you who keep me writing. 😉
This is so true Susie! For many years we collected antiques and collectibles for our home, which I loved all of them. But I had also become entrapped to them. When we put our home on the market, they told us to remove much of the furnishings and viola, I was happier with far less to dust. I felt free. Having lived a military lifestyle for 25 years and moving on average every other year, we purged often. That’s a habit we still hold to, but not as often as we should these days.
I commend your family for being a military family. You all give up SO much! Thank you!