Now that the kids have packed up and left their childhood rooms I am left with a mountain of extra “stuff”…and this reality has my mind turning. A few years in one residence is time enough to acquire an excess of material objects that never get used or are simply “souvenirs” or “gifts” obtained that sit obligatorily in the corner of the closet. Seeing what the kids have left behind, what they value (or don’t value) has been an eye-opener…making me wonder now….why did I ever buy that? My kids have never gone without unless it was for the purpose of teaching appreciation or other life-serving lessons. Now I see the evidence that materialism and consumerism has been the underlying culprit in my never-ending search for simplicity…no wonder I am always thirsting for quiet time and trying to capture moments that are not connected to chaos…I am surrounded by unnecessary “stuff” that contributes nothing to actually enjoying life.
Why do we save stuff? I have clothes in my closet I haven’t worn in years. I have three crock-pots, why? I have different comforters in case I change the color of my room back, and I’m ashamed to tell you how many pairs of shoes I have that never actually get worn.
I’m on a mission to make some changes, shake things up, and simplify my life…and once I get my house in order…I’m starting on ME!
