As you might imagine, I am the decluttering ring leader in my family. While my husband and daughter have been beyond supportive in indulging my clutter-free fantasies, if they knew what I really wanted to do, they might run for the hills.
Lately, I’m been dreaming about this big, little idea. I want each of us to put the things we need the most in our small closets and then, give the rest away. (I am sure my husband just stopped reading this post and this blog.)
My real fantasy is to give it all away and not put a thing in the closet, but I didn’t start with that because I don’t want you to stop reading too.
If I gave it all away …
- I could see what it feels like to not be attached to any “thing”
- I could better determine the importance of things I need by living without them
- My mind could be free to think about things above and beyond stuff
- I’d have nothing to lose
While I will continue to shed stuff and live with less, I won’t be giving everything away today, or anytime soon. The happiness of my husband and daughter, and the family that we’ve built together, even with all of our stuff will always mean more to me than any “thing”.
If you are struggling to “get your family on board” or “to declutter their stuff”. Stop for a moment and re-frame. Put people before stuff, and time before money. Sometimes that means holding onto stuff, or progressing more slowly. Even though, with my family, we’ve given away more than 50% of our stuff and still have more to give, I am happier than I have ever been. Right at this moment, my marriage is stronger, my energy is better, and my heart is more joyful than ever before.
Why am I so happy living with less? Because I dream about …
- giving instead of buying
- time instead of money
- a future without mortgage payments instead of a white picket fence
- affordable college for my daughter instead of an overpriced degree
- movie night cuddling with my husband instead of an expensive night out
- creative ways to save money by purchasing less, instead of turning to Groupon or other sales to spend more.
- writing, yoga, walking, laughing instead of worrying, feeling guilty and spending to feel better.
When you start to live with less, you crave even less stuff, because you get a glimpse of what life really has to offer. When you turn your focus to joy, love, happiness, gratitude and other warm & fuzzy emotions and away from acquisition, competition and hoarding, your heart will soften and you’ll be free to dream about and experience the very best.
