On minimalism and simplifying

On minimalism and simplifying

Personally, I know that I am the most content when I am with my husband and son at the lake house, enjoying the silence just with a couple of things that we brought along.  Now things are a little different.

I have been busy lately sorting and shifting through some of my things then packing them up, donating or selling them. It feels good to simplify; especially when I sorted through the years of belongings and papers that have been hanging around for no good reason. More so the amount of clothing that just stuffs my closet. Everybody knows the “one pair of jeans that will fit again”. Throw it out. Whatever piece you have not worn in one year and which just sits in your closet “waiting” – donate it. You will not wear it. The feeling to create “space” is great. Bookshelves stuffed with book is nice to look at. However, donate the ones you do not really like anymore to your local library. Create space. And honestly, how many books you own have you read twice? These are the words of a book lover by the way who wanted nothing more than to live in a room stuffed with books only. Now I am keeping the ones that changed my life, my favorite cook books and books by my favorite author that I indeed read over and over. BUT, the book on algebra from 9th grade? Toss it!

Simplifying my life is an urge that I have a couple times a year, especially with the changing season. The main question is: What do we really need? How much do we really need to possess? I discovered some of the utmost useless possessions throughout my goal to simplify and minimize my life. I love getting rid of things I do not need, use or value. Lately I have been reading quite a bit on spiritualism and decluttering my life and the very first epiphany was that there is something powerful about seeing our material belongs in a new light and to recognize that I  have too much stuff. Somehow all these materialistic things ended up running my life – or at least a lot of it. I can even go so far in saying that the things I consumed ended up consuming me. It is very tempting to buy things. We live in a world with 24-hour online shopping opportunities and the next purchase it just one “click” away. To tell the truth: I do like material things as much as anyone and anything that makes life easier. I do like shopping for clothing and all kinds of things. BUT I realize now (and I haven’t done so for years) that after a certain point, material objects crowd out the emotional needs that they are meant to support.

We do know – intuitively – that the best stuff in life isn’t stuff at all and that the best things in life are free. Or to live a meaningful happy life we need to have relationships, work that is satisfying and fulfilling and of course a plethora of experiences.

Living with less is my goal and I am working towards it every day. I want to raise my son the same way. My life is full of love and adventure these days and I know that this endless consumption results in increased unhappiness. De-cluttering brings forth a sense of openness and clarity for me. Nobody says this is easy and the process can indeed be a lengthy one.

My life is big with less. <3



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