The search for a simpler life
Many people say that they admire the Amish for their desire to live a simpler, more spiritual life.
If you watch television, you may have seen some of those shows where people have obsessively collected so much stuff that they can barely move around. It seems like many of us have accumulated too much "stuff" and in difficult financial times wonder if we can't stop being so materialistic.
Recently, I've felt crowded in my home even though my space is spartan compared to those featured in such shows. I've been doing some spring cleaning (ugh) and clearing out in preparation for moving and downsizing. I realized as I did so that I feel overwhelmed by all the "things" I own.
How did this happen? Well, for some reason, if you have one or two of something -- like, for instance, the beautiful hand-made lighthouse I brought home from a gift shop in Lancaster County years ago -- people who love you decide that you like to collect them. Now I have dozens and dozens of lighthouses, lighthouse pictures, calendars, dayminders, a lighthouse table -- even a fiber-optic Christmas lighthouse display. As a booklover, I've collected every book published by several of my favorite authors. Some of them are ... well, prolific, so I have a LOT of books. I could go on but you know what I mean. Stuff. I have too much stuff.
I found myself humming the sweet Quaker song, "'Tis a Gift to Be Simple," as I cleaned and forced myself to box up and set aside many things for a garage sale next month. I want to scale down, lead a simpler life, and remember what's really important to me: family and friends, not things. I don't practice Lent but friends have told me that giving up something they thought they couldn't live without was illuminating and freeing. So I'll be putting up for sale some of those things I want to be freed of soon and I hope I'll feel less weighted down by all of it.
Have you simplified your life recently? I'd like to hear how you've done it.
P.S. I didn't include a photo this week--I figured my entry would be simpler without one. : )
* (Note: Michelle C. won the autographed copy of "101 Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding" contest last week. Congratulations, Michelle! E-mail me at barcameron1@prodigy.net and let me know where to send your book.)
What you wrote is so true. It would be wonderful to go through everything and get rid of what isn't needed. I have a hard time thinking I might "need" this or that. Also,I already experienced getting rid of something then found out wow, now I could use that...Life's funny.
Blessings, CarolG
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Carol, you hit it on the head! That's why some of us hold onto things! We think we might need it in the future. What I've done is look at the item and ask myself when I actually last used it. If it's been more than a year or two and it's not a specialty type of thing, then I debate getting rid of it. Sometimes that works.
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Barbara, I believe you are right that simplifying our lives is a good thing. Our faith and the way we touch other lives is all that will go with us to the grave. As someone once said, "You don't see any U-Hauls following the hearse to the cemetery!" I've had the same thing happen with several small collections of crosses and roosters, and even Nativity sets building up, (I put the Nativity sets out instead of a Christmas tree), and I've told the kids and grandkids that someday I'm going to pass them out to them as a keepsake from me. For now, they are still a part of "Grandma's house." I, too, have recently started trying to reduce excess "clutter," and what makes it nice is that our church has a collection twice a year for a less fortunate parish out of town. It's nice to know that, not only can I become a little more "free" without so much excess "stuff," but someone else can benefit from it. In my younger days, a garage sale would have worked, but now we live way out in the woods; so that isn't practical! Good luck with your your move!
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Cathey, I loved the "you don't see U-Hauls following the hearse!" Years ago, the church I attended had a "circulation day." People from the church brought things they no longer needed to "circulate" to the community. People lined up at the church on the appointed day and were given two big paper bags. They were told to take whatever they wanted, as much as they could pack in the bags, for FREE. No strings--no taking down your name to call and invite you to attend the church or anything. And if you wanted or needed to go through again, you could, after you got at the end of the line behind other waiting people. Well, it was the most amazing experience for my kids and I to watch how grateful people from the community were. There was such a wonderful atmosphere of love that day. My kids even manned the children's section to help other kids pick out toys to take home. People went home with free clothes, furniture--even a brand new microwave someone didn't need. I have tears in my eyes now remembering how good it felt to see people receiving things that we had held onto and weren't using. Later, someone at the church decided we could make money from selling such items instead. The church just never did as well after that and I'm convinced it was because some people there forgot about circulating God's abundance without wanting return.
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Great post, Barbara! And so true!
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Unfortunately, the room where the least goes out is my home office. You and I have e-mailed each other about clearing our work spaces but it's the room where I have the most problem de-cluttering!
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I like this comment on downsizing and I know I need to do that myself, I have done some downsizing, but, need to do more. One thing I sometimes have a problem with and that is--I get right back in having a lot of thins. But, it is a lot easier with things being more of a simpler life.
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The Simple life is wonderful. But starting it is the hard part.For me I did this.
First, Start with God that for me is most important When I am put him first the day has stared on the right foot. Family needs are next it will help but thing in order.
Second, said No to a lot of people. I was to busy doing to much to take care my own house. It takes time to clean out things.Wasn't easy!!
Third, I made a list of things I need to do for a day that help me keep my focus.
Fourth, know the difference between a NEED and a Want!!
Fifth, Take 60 minutes day for yourself.Do something you enjoy read,craft,nap. What ever you need for that 60 minutes.
Sixth Make monthly goals which keeps you eye on the finish line.
Do I have it all working??? Sometimes... Do I struggle?? Yes! That is life.
A wonderful book to help you is,
Simple Abundance by Susan Ban Breathnach.
God's Blessings
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Such great ideas, Erin!
A friend gave me the gratitude journal years ago and even more blessings poured out for me as I wrote in the journal each day.
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Barbra,
My friends at church and I were talking about ridding out our "stuff" It is a chore no one likes. I personally think that we should move every five years, if not physically move maybe we can pretend to move. I would pack everything I would like to take to a new house sit it on the lawn, then go back in and get rid of everything else. I also find it easier to get rid of things if I can give it to someone rather than throw it away, even if it needs thrown away, to think of an old blanket that only has one tiny hole in it warming someone else makes me happy. It has gotten so bad that I have given things to my best friend to throw away for me. The worst is books. My friends and I share books. When they come back to me I can not get rid of them, I always think that when I am older and have more time I will read that delicious book again. This is a big bone of contention with my husband who has every pair of boots he has ever owned. I don't understand how a pair of boots with no soles are worth anything. Oh well, they make him happy. I fear dying before the "stuff" is gone and my mother-in-law sorting my things. I gotta go now that thought makes me shaking I'd better go to the thrift store and see what treasures await me.
Keep Smilin'
Sheila
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That church circulation day was so freeing for so many of us. It made us go through our homes and see how much we could find to give away. A Goodwill store opened just a few miles from me so now whenever I drive past it I think about what I can give to them and put it in the car when I get home. And when the staff at the store tries to thank me when I donate, I always tell them, "Thank YOU, because you're a way for me to help someone with what I'm not using."
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Barbra,
My friends at church and I were talking about ridding out our "stuff" It is a chore no one likes. I personally think that we should move every five years, if not physically move maybe we can pretend to move. I would pack everything I would like to take to a new house sit it on the lawn, then go back in and get rid of everything else. I also find it easier to get rid of things if I can give it to someone rather than throw it away, even if it needs thrown away, to think of an old blanket that only has one tiny hole in it warming someone else makes me happy. It has gotten so bad that I have given things to my best friend to throw away for me. The worst is books. My friends and I share books. When they come back to me I can not get rid of them, I always think that when I am older and have more time I will read that delicious book again. This is a big bone of contention with my husband who has every pair of boots he has ever owned. I don't understand how a pair of boots with no soles are worth anything. Oh well, they make him happy. I fear dying before the "stuff" is gone and my mother-in-law sorting my things. I gotta go now that thought makes me shaking I'd better go to the thrift store and see what treasures await me.
Keep Smiling'
Sheila
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You have the right idea--giving things away to someone who can use them or to an organization which will do it--is the only way some of us can get rid of things. And it's the best way, too. Sounds like you believe as many of us do that nothing useful should be thrown away.
I love your idea to give a friend something you have trouble parting with!
You sound like me about your worrying that your MIL will go through your things. Every so often I ask myself what my grown kids would think of their mom if she left them a messy house to clean and dispose of! It immediately makes me try to clean up!
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