Today I did what I do all other days; I spent the majority of my time cleaning. Organizing this, moving that there, picking up ten pairs of shoes up off the floor for the millionth time. It’s exhausting, yet I can never seem to fight it, especially when I’m stressed or worried which is quite often the case. And then at the end of the day (given I allow myself leisurely time to sit and think) I reflect on my day and wonder where all the hours have gone. Frittered away moving pointless items shifting them from one place in my home, to another, to another and rarely do they find their true home before the entire cycle repeats itself.
You see I love order; it keeps me calm and collected and gives me a certain clarity of mind that I have otherwise been unable to achieve. Clean spaces are like oxygen to me and try though I may to get involved with my family while the dishes are undone, I find it absolutely suffocating and nothing else can consume my mind until my home is at peace and in place so that I may rest.
This is why minimalism is so important to me. It’s the ability to final breathe and think and enjoy not only time in my home with my family but even having guests over.
The highlight of my day today was being able to have a conversation with my little sister who is currently overseas. Because she had caught me at the end of my cleaning frenzy, I was able to relax and be truly present and enjoy our conversation immensely. Those are the moments that life is about, being able to connect with others and not have some nagging chore list in your head or the physical distraction of an untidy home. I feel there are certainly people in this world that have no trouble inviting you in to step through an obstacle course and sit on a laundry laden sofa and that’s a gift! But how great would it be to not have physical distractions from life? To not freak out into a mad scramble every time an unexpected guest arrived. Or to not be embarrassed and have to keep the blinds closed unless heaven forbid someone catch a glance of your living room? Doesn’t that just sound amazing? A life where items didn’t hold the ability to manage your actions and emotions!
Often when I get in this mind set, I become so inspired that I decide to tackle the whole house all at once, which is of course a *huge* rookie mistake. All that typically accomplishes is discovering all the little hidden items that lurk in the corners and all of your possessions wind up in a heap in the middle of the floor while you look through a long-lost photo album and eat chocolate because trying to deal with everything all at once is just too much to handle. I know this because I’ve done this many, many times.
So, if you’re feeling inspired this week set your focus on one room. And take as many days as you need to tackle just that one area. I keep a permanent box in my home that more or less stays in the trunk I’ve car as I continually add donation items to it.
Once upon a time I would separate everything to try to regain some of the money that was lost in buying the item, but that just isn’t worth it.
If you don’t get rid of it now, you likely never will. So, rip the band-aid off and start unloading the stress today. There is a great sense of joy in letting go and finding the freedom in a home that takes minimal upkeep so you can focus on the things that truly matter to you.
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