Since I returned from vacation on July 5th I’ve been a nearly-crazy-Kate about getting rid of things. Though I am not sure what triggered my new clarity, I do know I can no longer handle excess stuff… tangible stuff, paper stuff, emotional stuff, unnecessary stuff. To be frank, I can barely handle the necessary stuff.
It started in our master bathroom and spread to our master bedroom and then to our closet. I removed unnecessary items from the shower as well as the countertop, streamlined under-sink storage, recycled empty bottles, and disposed of a large bag of trash. I corralled our dirty clothes into six sorters: whites, darks, brights, jeans, towels, and miscellaneous, and removed them from our master bedroom. I touched every item of clothing in our closet and removed a quarter of my clothes to donate to the local thrift store.
As this organization obsession began to extend beyond our home and into my workplace, I felt out of control. The motivation I felt to simplify my life and our home was real, but I wanted to identify its source. I read from books I love, listened to music, stayed up thinking, talked with Daniel, debated with my mom, and came up withsome ideas:
- The world is, as is arguably almost always the case, out of control. My life is one thing I can, for the most part, control.
- The large cities we visited on our trip overwhelmed me and reminded me to delight in the simple things.
- The post-vacation exhaustion reminded of fibromyalgia flares which reminded me that excess stuff overwhelms me.
While I am not sure I’ve identified the source for my motivation, I do know I’ve realized something life changing.
A few days ago, as I stood in our master bathroom, I got to thinking…
I wouldn’t use our bathroom any more if it were larger, if it were a different color, or if it had a larger closet. This is what I have, and I don’t want stuff that doesn’t matter distracting me from people and things that do.
I know it is ridiculously simple, and it may not strike a chord with you, but it has changed my life.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not an advocate for abstaining from the pleasures of life and denying yourself comfort. In fact, I’m quite the opposite. I like to save (time or money) on those things that don’t matter so I can splurge on the things that do. I know there is an art to keeping only what you need and what you love, and freeing yourself from excess. I know that such an art opens room in your home, in your mind, and in your heart.
You see, I am an advocate for keeping less, and living more. And I know mastering this art will take a lifetime.
Notice I didn’t say, keeping less, and doing more. Because I’m not, doing more, that is. In fact, I’m doing less. I’m doing more of what I love. More of what matters. More of what is good and worthy of my time. I am doing less of what I feel obligated to do, less shopping, less eating, less sleeping, and less nothing. I am more close to my loved ones, more relaxed at the end of the day, and more aware of my Heavenly Father’s hand in my life. And, most notably, I feel there is less left undone.
Over the next few weeks I will share the lessons I learn as I continue to strive to keep less, and live more. I challenge you to join me. Start by identifying three ways you can keep less, and live more.
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