It’s quite a topic. In fact, it’s #trending. Maybe it’s because it’s January and the holiday clutter is coming down. Or maybe it’s the overload of spending that happens as we celebrate. Or maybe you are disturbed by our culture and how we are lured into needing to have the latest and greatest (enter material item here).
If you’ve ever walked into the bedroom of a modern-day child, you’ve probably been overwhelmed by the amount of toys, and frankly, clutter. I don’t doubt they all came from friends and family with great intentions, but it’s still overwhelming. It’s like that feeling of opening the trunk of the car, the coat closet or that junk drawer and watching items fall out. Or when you look in one of those sacred spaces and realize you don’t even remember where some of the junk even came from.
Recently, I moved two times in just more than a year. I swear I purged and cleaned, but somehow it feels like a small army could come through and take enough stuff for their troops and I might not even notice. I’m not proud of that, and it’s disturbing because it doesn’t line up with my personal core values. These things somehow snuck in.
Might I suggest the Becoming Minimalist website? It’s about inspiring people to pursue their true and greatest passions by owning fewer possessions. Who wouldn’t want their lives simplified? Having less clutter makes way for more open space, and that frees up our minds to think and create. That, I believe, is where we get to the part about pursuing what is really important to us.
I like the tone of the website, encouraging “each reader to discover their own journey and the far-reaching benefits that come from owning less.” They pretty much leave it up to us to define what the word means for you and your family. This seems appropriate, since we all have different ideas, priorities and habits. I’ll list some of the benefits in one of the blog posts below, but preface it with this: They are good. In fact, I highly recommend you log on read more of their material as you process the idea of minimizing this week.
- Spend Less (my favorite)
- Less Stress
- Easier to Clean
- More Freedom
- Good for the Environment
- Be more Productive
- Example for my Kids
- Support other Causes (Money is only as valuable as what we choose to spend it on.)
- Own higher quality items
- Be happier
Those are reasons enough for me to focus on this.
I checked in with my friend I mentioned in Sunday’s blog and she said her family has had a lot of fun picking out items to donate, sell or give away during the first few days of the new year. She mentioned how “freeing” it was and that her kids are enjoying it, too!
There are a few other books on this topic. If you know of a good one, share it in the comments. The month of January is a great time to start books – and projects – like these! As for me, I think I’ll start with that drawer that has all of the kitchen tools in it. I’m not sure what some of them even are. (And to my boys reading this, this is your cue to laugh out loud.)
I couldn’t believe the stuff we didn’t NEED but brought with us in this last move. Our garage is lined with boxes on one side. I still want to work on that. Also a closet or two with too much on the floor. I have decided to tackle this one square foot at a time!
For me, having less means having less to manage which frees me to be more relaxed and be able to do other things.
I agree! I think of you often. I hope you both are doing well and enjoying the new adventure. Much love
Great post. We spent a lot of time over the holidays “Sorting” and cleaning. My wife even hired someone to help with her office. And despite all of that, we have a long way to go. But a freeing feeling it was to give, get rid of, and free up space. I think it was even BETTER than buying the stuff in the first place! There is much more work to do.
Thanks for sharing Mike. I love that feeling! We ALL have so much work to do, but let’s keep cheering each other on, and holding one another accountable. Have a wonderful week.