Matthew 6:19 – Don’t store up treasures on earth! Moths and rust can destroy them, and thieves can break in and steal them.

Gratitude Day 814

Simple is Better.

Less is Better.

Love what you have and let everything else go.

These are some of the words that have been occupying some of my brain space these days. And words I keep returning to.

Thanks to those who have shared with me your experience of decluttering this week. I love hearing them!

Decluttering hasn’t taken over my life completely. It is not the most important thing to me. Yet, I have discovered the advantages of having fewer things.

• Ultimately, I will spend less time managing what I have. Since we recently moved, I’m not quite there yet as not everything has a home yet. But wow! I can already feel a relief of nothing I do not need to keep sorting and going through what I have hung on to. Because a lot of decisions have already been made, I have opened up brain space by not having to contemplate whether or not something should stay or go.
• Fewer choices is good. Sometimes, I think we fill our lives with too many choices and this ultimately makes decisions harder.
• I feel lighter, even though the scale hasn’t moved. Seriously. Lighter.

Does this decluttering thing mean everything is always great and rosy? NO. My brain still thinks about things I would like and want. The brain chatter is still there. But I am trying to limit this chatter so I have this emotional energy for other things that are more important to me.

Here are a few obstacles that can slow down the decluttering. Thoughts that may hang you up and distract you. These are some reactions I have experienced and how I have thought through them.

• I can’t get rid of this. Someone important to me gave it to me. If the item continues to bring you joy or you use/love it, no problem! Keep it. If you are hanging onto it mostly because it was a gift, stop. This is the type of clutter that can take over our lives. If you no longer love it or enjoy it, then let it go and allow someone else to enjoy it. You accepted the gift and had it for a season. Now, it is time for someone else to have it for a season. Our houses are not intended to be shrines. They are where we live and enjoy life. They should be filled with items that we love not loath.
• But I don’t want to get rid of everything. You don’t have to. You are the boss. You choose what to keep. Keep a few of your favorites and let the rest go. When I was packing to move, I sorted through the 40 or so cookbooks that I had. I knew that I did not want to move all of these. I kept the 15 or so that I use a lot and really enjoy. I pray someone else found a cookbook they really wanted.
• Someday, I will get to this. How many times I have told myself this! Or heard others say it. For years and decades! But will “someday” really happen? I had some pillowcases with designs printed on them. Years ago, they were popular. The designs were embroidered. These pillowcases were from my Grandma Deaton and her sister. I had lots of embroidery thread. As I held them in my hands, I realized that if I had time to do anything I wanted, I would not pull out these pillowcases and embroider them. There are a whole bunch of other things I would rather do. So, why hang onto them? If I ever want to do embroidery work, I’ll go to a thrift store and buy what I need. There is no reason for me to hang onto things for “someday” when I’m not sure the day will ever happen. This can also be a problem with clothes. We convince ourselves that someday we’ll fit into an article we have hung onto. If someday ever happens, we probably will want to buy something new rather than wear something that is 20 years old. Seriously.
• I’m hanging onto these things for _____. Oh boy. I’ve heard this so many times as well. If the person has their own place, let them decide if they want to keep it rather than making the decision for them. If they don’t have a place to store it, place limits on their items in your house. For example, they can keep whatever they want in one tub. Period. If it is furniture or other bigger items, be clear about how long you will house it. Stick with the deadline.
• What if I need it someday? Yep, we’ve all said this. I have thought of two things that I did not move that I would kind of liked to have in my current house. Neither item is something I have to have. I will make do with what I have. If I really, really want it, I can acquire something similar. But only after I have decided it is really important to me.
• I spent too much money on this to just give it away. Try to set aside your emotional feelings as going through things. Years ago, I became aware of a family that lost everything in a tornado. The woman had just the clothes she was wearing. She was shorter and heavier and knew that finding clothing would be a challenge. My Mom had lost weight. It seemed that her larger clothing would fit this woman. In advance, I suggested we  that sort things to send this woman. Nonetheless, Mom had a very hard time letting go of many things. More than once, she said something costs money and she should hang onto it. It took more than a little convincing to let these things go. I boxed up the clothes and mailed them. A few days later, I received a lovely note from this woman. She couldn’t believe how every article of clothing fit her. She especially appreciated the coat, as she didn’t have one. (This was one of the hardest things for my Mom to let go.) She cried tears of joy for all the beautiful and lovely clothes she received. Most were nicer than she had lost in the tornado. Her note completely changed how I think about giving things away. Had the clothes stayed in my Mom’s closet, they would not have been used. Instead, they became this woman’s entire wardrobe. It’s all I needed to hear. Let it go and let someone else love it as much or more than you did.
• I should sell this and make some money. Yes, you can! Maybe you should. But maybe you shouldn’t. I have sold things a variety of places. It feels good to have a little income. When deciding to sell something, determine a realistic sale amount minus your time and effort to get it sold. Some people have fantastic garage sales and/or love going to garage sales. Good for you! Honestly? They are OK but not totally my thing. Yes, I have sold stuff at garage sales. But I also think about the time and effort required and decide if the income will offset what else I could be doing with the same time. Always over-estimate how much time you think will be included to handle selling items. Often, we just want to get rid of stuff and donate it. We have put things at the curb with a “Free” sign. Think through your options and feelings about this and make your best decision. And stick with it.
• This is really overwhelming. Yes, it is. Pace yourself. Work at it for a while and step back from it when it becomes overwhelming. Do small things. Keep your expectations low. Celebrate every little decluttering win that you can.
• I don’t know how long to keep this. When it comes to personal records, ultimately, you make the decision. Keep tax records for seven years. With more and more things available online, the need to keep every bill, check, statement is not needed. Because I can access more online, if I need something, I can get it there. Yes, it is interesting to keep a couple historical documents for reference. Limit the space you are dedicating to this and stick with it.

The rewards of decluttering and having less stuff? Closets that aren’t so full and you can actually see what is in them. Partially empty or empty drawers. This feels great! Knowing what you have are things that you love and bring you joy.

It is a huge gift you give to your family and others when you begin to declutter. Going through a loved one’s house and property can be very daunting. Having less to go through will make the job easier. It also allows you to look at those things one last time before you get rid of them. Then, if there are things you want to do to a specific person, you have the opportunity to do so.

Finally, a decluttering exercise will only be beneficial if you don’t run out and buy more stuff. The decluttering process is more than just letting go. It also is covenanting with myself not to acquire more stuff. Decluttering is choosing to intentionally have less stuff. It doesn’t’ mean you have to get rid of everything. It is encouragement to only keep what you love and use.

Rick has this rule: something comes in, something must go out. These days, I am being very intentional about what I purchase and only getting those things which are what we need and not what we want.

If you have begun the process of having less, I pray you have discovered one or two little success stories in your life. Keep building on these and let them spur you forward.

For the ability to reframe how we view our stuff, I am grateful.

Blessings –

Loving God – in a culture that encourages us to have more and more, place in my heart a desire to have less. To let things go that no longer serve me. May I discover freedom and happiness with less stuff in my life. Amen.

If you have enjoyed this blog, please pass it along to someone else who will also enjoy it

Simple is Better – Love What You Have and Let Everything Else Go – Part 1

Matthew 6:19 – Don’t store up treasures on earth! Moths and rust can destroy them, and thieves can break in and steal them.

Gratitude Day 814

Simple is Better.

Less is Better.

Love what you have and let everything else go.

These are some of the words that have been occupying some of my brain space these days. And words I keep returning to.

Thanks to those who have shared with me your experience of decluttering this week. I love hearing them!

Decluttering hasn’t taken over my life completely. It is not the most important thing to me. Yet, I have discovered the advantages of having fewer things.

• Ultimately, I will spend less time managing what I have. Since we recently moved, I’m not quite there yet as not everything has a home yet. But wow! I can already feel a relief of nothing I do not need to keep sorting and going through what I have hung on to. Because a lot of decisions have already been made, I have opened up brain space by not having to contemplate whether or not something should stay or go.
• Fewer choices is good. Sometimes, I think we fill our lives with too many choices and this ultimately makes decisions harder.
• I feel lighter, even though the scale hasn’t moved. Seriously. Lighter.

Does this decluttering thing mean everything is always great and rosy? NO. My brain still thinks about things I would like and want. The brain chatter is still there. But I am trying to limit this chatter so I have this emotional energy for other things that are more important to me.

Here are a few obstacles that can slow down the decluttering. Thoughts that may hang you up and distract you. These are some reactions I have experienced and how I have thought through them.

• I can’t get rid of this. Someone important to me gave it to me. If the item continues to bring you joy or you use/love it, no problem! Keep it. If you are hanging onto it mostly because it was a gift, stop. This is the type of clutter that can take over our lives. If you no longer love it or enjoy it, then let it go and allow someone else to enjoy it. You accepted the gift and had it for a season. Now, it is time for someone else to have it for a season. Our houses are not intended to be shrines. They are where we live and enjoy life. They should be filled with items that we love not loath.
• But I don’t want to get rid of everything. You don’t have to. You are the boss. You choose what to keep. Keep a few of your favorites and let the rest go. When I was packing to move, I sorted through the 40 or so cookbooks that I had. I knew that I did not want to move all of these. I kept the 15 or so that I use a lot and really enjoy. I pray someone else found a cookbook they really wanted.
• Someday, I will get to this. How many times I have told myself this! Or heard others say it. For years and decades! But will “someday” really happen? I had some pillowcases with designs printed on them. Years ago, they were popular. The designs were embroidered. These pillowcases were from my Grandma Deaton and her sister. I had lots of embroidery thread. As I held them in my hands, I realized that if I had time to do anything I wanted, I would not pull out these pillowcases and embroider them. There are a whole bunch of other things I would rather do. So, why hang onto them? If I ever want to do embroidery work, I’ll go to a thrift store and buy what I need. There is no reason for me to hang onto things for “someday” when I’m not sure the day will ever happen. This can also be a problem with clothes. We convince ourselves that someday we’ll fit into an article we have hung onto. If someday ever happens, we probably will want to buy something new rather than wear something that is 20 years old. Seriously.
• I’m hanging onto these things for _____. Oh boy. I’ve heard this so many times as well. If the person has their own place, let them decide if they want to keep it rather than making the decision for them. If they don’t have a place to store it, place limits on their items in your house. For example, they can keep whatever they want in one tub. Period. If it is furniture or other bigger items, be clear about how long you will house it. Stick with the deadline.
• What if I need it someday? Yep, we’ve all said this. I have thought of two things that I did not move that I would kind of liked to have in my current house. Neither item is something I have to have. I will make do with what I have. If I really, really want it, I can acquire something similar. But only after I have decided it is really important to me.
• I spent too much money on this to just give it away. Try to set aside your emotional feelings as going through things. Years ago, I became aware of a family that lost everything in a tornado. The woman had just the clothes she was wearing. She was shorter and heavier and knew that finding clothing would be a challenge. My Mom had lost weight. It seemed that her larger clothing would fit this woman. In advance, I suggested we  that sort things to send this woman. Nonetheless, Mom had a very hard time letting go of many things. More than once, she said something costs money and she should hang onto it. It took more than a little convincing to let these things go. I boxed up the clothes and mailed them. A few days later, I received a lovely note from this woman. She couldn’t believe how every article of clothing fit her. She especially appreciated the coat, as she didn’t have one. (This was one of the hardest things for my Mom to let go.) She cried tears of joy for all the beautiful and lovely clothes she received. Most were nicer than she had lost in the tornado. Her note completely changed how I think about giving things away. Had the clothes stayed in my Mom’s closet, they would not have been used. Instead, they became this woman’s entire wardrobe. It’s all I needed to hear. Let it go and let someone else love it as much or more than you did.
• I should sell this and make some money. Yes, you can! Maybe you should. But maybe you shouldn’t. I have sold things a variety of places. It feels good to have a little income. When deciding to sell something, determine a realistic sale amount minus your time and effort to get it sold. Some people have fantastic garage sales and/or love going to garage sales. Good for you! Honestly? They are OK but not totally my thing. Yes, I have sold stuff at garage sales. But I also think about the time and effort required and decide if the income will offset what else I could be doing with the same time. Always over-estimate how much time you think will be included to handle selling items. Often, we just want to get rid of stuff and donate it. We have put things at the curb with a “Free” sign. Think through your options and feelings about this and make your best decision. And stick with it.
• This is really overwhelming. Yes, it is. Pace yourself. Work at it for a while and step back from it when it becomes overwhelming. Do small things. Keep your expectations low. Celebrate every little decluttering win that you can.
• I don’t know how long to keep this. When it comes to personal records, ultimately, you make the decision. Keep tax records for seven years. With more and more things available online, the need to keep every bill, check, statement is not needed. Because I can access more online, if I need something, I can get it there. Yes, it is interesting to keep a couple historical documents for reference. Limit the space you are dedicating to this and stick with it.

The rewards of decluttering and having less stuff? Closets that aren’t so full and you can actually see what is in them. Partially empty or empty drawers. This feels great! Knowing what you have are things that you love and bring you joy.

It is a huge gift you give to your family and others when you begin to declutter. Going through a loved one’s house and property can be very daunting. Having less to go through will make the job easier. It also allows you to look at those things one last time before you get rid of them. Then, if there are things you want to do to a specific person, you have the opportunity to do so.

Finally, a decluttering exercise will only be beneficial if you don’t run out and buy more stuff. The decluttering process is more than just letting go. It also is covenanting with myself not to acquire more stuff. Decluttering is choosing to intentionally have less stuff. It doesn’t’ mean you have to get rid of everything. It is encouragement to only keep what you love and use.

Rick has this rule: something comes in, something must go out. These days, I am being very intentional about what I purchase and only getting those things which are what we need and not what we want.

If you have begun the process of having less, I pray you have discovered one or two little success stories in your life. Keep building on these and let them spur you forward.

For the ability to reframe how we view our stuff, I am grateful.

Blessings –

Loving God – in a culture that encourages us to have more and more, place in my heart a desire to have less. To let things go that no longer serve me. May I discover freedom and happiness with less stuff in my life. Amen.

If you have enjoyed this blog, please pass it along to someone else who will also enjoy it