Most people assume that I am overwhelmed with having three kids ages 4 and under. But in all honesty it's actually the physical and emotional pressure of the house around me that overwhelms me lately. What I own, what I hold on to, what I think I need ... overwhelms me. I've felt this for a number of years but moving into a 1000 sq/ft house (with a full storage basement underneath that we are certainly using for storage) has really brought this into focus. And I'm sure we don't own as much as many people do but what we do own feels very heavy to me and so I'm determined to let go of as much as I can this year.
Having three boys was a blessing in that I've only had to accumulate boys' clothes and toys ... sparing me the overload of keeping up with both genders. In my typical organized manner I've been holding on to boxes and boxes of clothes and toys for Felix to grow into and to use, knowing I'll need them eventually. But when he's done with them am I ever itching to get rid of them, after seeing the same items through 3 boys and even more years! Feeling great satisfaction in boxing them up for my consignment shop or passing them along to family members. All I'm thinking is Get it out of here! And as far as I can tell I have full and easy access to everything my - and all - kids need ...
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Children's clothes and toys are just one part of my mountain of stuff ... books, scrapbooking supplies, photos, old letters, my own children's books, baking supplies, pretty packages, Christmas decor, DVDs and CDs, shoes, kitchen gadgets, sentimental items, family heirlooms, and did I mention books already?? Again, to another person it may feel completely reasonable and necessary but for myself it's felt increasingly heavy, it really does. And so my mission is to simplify. To reduce what I have and hardly use. To (re)use what I've been holding on to for that rainy day or that perfect moment. In the process recycling anything I can. And of course the key is not to get rid of anything you'll need or want to re-purchase in the future. Being content with what I have (which is so much already). Being thankful. Having less. Being more present. And finding inspiration from other women such as Rachel at The Minimalist Mom as she, and so many others, articulate the whys and hows much better than I'm able to.
I'll keep you updated!
4 comments:
Cass i absolutely love this post and the whole idea resonates with me too. Last year my 'word' was Simplify and I spent much of the year selling or getting rid of excess stuff including furniture in our house. Our house is probably about the same size as yours, about 1000 sq ft with a full basement below. Part of the basement is finished, but still we don't have a ton of space. yet keeping the house clean is a full time job and sometimes i think I may never want to move into a bigger place! =)
Anyway, yes getting rid of all the excess and only keeping what we will use and truly love ... I'm still working on it, it takes time but it's a good, good feeling!!
Thank you for this post Cass. "Heavy" is such a good way to describe it. I have been feeling similar and I don't even have kids stuff to contend with :). Perhaps we could help each other in this transition now that we live so much closer? :) I believe you have such good organization skills and I have discovered over the last few years mine are lacking :) Thanks again for the post! Kim DeEll
wow.....thanks for putting into words what has been challenging me to do for a few months. It is nice to face the over abundance and let go of what is not needed or truly necessary. It is finding a balance of what is going to be usable and what is just dust collectors or a heavy weight.
Praying for you as you let go of the unnecessary thereby lightening your load.
Good for you, Cass. I've found that this is a life-long process as the kids go through each stage and as I grow a little further away from things that were once too precious to let go of.
This kind of purging is still a favorite thing to do, and so it is a habit every six months or so.
Good luck!
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