I desire to live simply. For a little over a year I've been working toward this goal of minimalism in the things that we own and the unnecessary things that get in the way of my priorities and goals (Reasons I Decided to Pursue Minimalism). Still there are certain areas of my life that are hard to minimize:
1. Books. I love books. I have a "want-to-read" shelf (which is extensive), a children's book shelf in the living room and the playroom (because both our children are book lovers as well, and I want to encourage that), a "resource" book shelf (which is frequently used in our Bible study, educational pursuits, &etc.), a historically valuable pile (For example: I found a grammar and composition lesson book with a copyright date of 1877, but the best part are all the signatures of every student who used it, alongside the date! (!!!!!!) Although it is falling apart, I cannot seem to part with it. I enjoy it immensely.) and finally I have an "I loved these!" shelf (which are often revisited). All of which I have sorted and resorted and finally resigned to putting them back on the shelf. Sure there were some I knew I didn't need. But my donate pile was significantly smaller than my keep pile. In the end, both my husband and I were okay with that. An extensive library is something we both want and use.
Books are a major part of our everyday life. They are always out, being read and reread, enjoyed and loved. It's hard to minimize that.
2. Dresses. I'm a sucker for any style resembling the 20's, 40's and 50's. When I find a dress - oh man - I have a hard time saying no. These day's, however, I'm finding more satisfaction in what I have, and not searching for any more. That's huge considering where I was two year ago before this minimalist mindset was established in my life! Still, I don't want to part with what I have and I have quite a bit! If I had to, I wouldn't hesitate (it's just a dress), but I enjoy them and like how they look on me. For now there is no reason to part with them.
3. Craft supplies. I purged my craft supplies when this all began and there were a few items I regretted getting rid of when I picked up Rebecca's Recycled Readers business where I take old books doomed for the trash and recycle them on donated or tossed items I find in secondhand stores. I enjoy seeing the potential in something and then making it happen! Unfortunately, my craft supplies are growing instead of diminishing... but they will be used and hopefully turned around for profit!
4. School supplies. As a homeschooling mom there are items I just cannot purge for the sake of my children's education.
5. Art supplies. My girls love, love, love coloring, creating, crafting (just like their momma) so those things are out and enjoyed every.single.day. multiple times per day.
6. Teaching materials. After five years in the classroom there are a lot of materials I know I'll use again (currently in storage or being used for my mommy-at-home-classroom). And now that I'm pursuing a specialist degree (in order to keep my teaching certificate active) I am adding more materials instead of diminishing them. I also tutor struggling readers and writers so these things are in use quite often.
7. Girl's Toys. I have purged the playroom most often, but I still feel like it's the most overwhelming room in the house (also because it doubles as our classroom). They have dress up clothes like it's going out of style, a tub of Lego's, a giant Barbie Doll house, a giant bouncing horse (thanks to grandma, which they love and ride quite often), a keyboard, and a pretend kitchen (that my grandpa made for me, and is still being used and loved! Seriously, this thing is over 30 years old and still going strong.) These big items make this room seem small. Still, when I went through all their things with them with certain criteria it became hard to eliminate these things they enjoy quite often and that inspire creativity. So my goal changed to: what can I do to help them easily pick up in 20 minutes or less? Anything else overwhelmed them, especially when there were too many places to put all the things they played with; they needed one toy box or an easy, peasy organization system. Thankfully, I think we are there... for now at least.
8. Pictures. I love taking pictures and making family yearbooks, that our children thoroughly enjoy looking at over and over and over again (but we won't talk about how far behind I am). I love hanging pictures all over our house and I enjoy switching them out every once in a while, especially if I have special seasonal pictures.
9. Christmas Ornaments. We have purchased an ornament for our girls every year that reflect what she has most enjoyed that year. It is so much fun to pull out these gifts and remember why we gave them in the first place. This tradition began with my husband when he was a child and has fond memories as he pulls out the ornaments from his childhood and puts them on the tree. Right now we have three tubs of Christmas items, mostly filled with ornaments (aka memories).
10. Old Thankful Journals. (Which double as a prayer journal.) This discipline has been part of my life for many, many years and I've written about them many, many times:
Despite any difficulty I have for purging these items, I am not attached to any of them. If God called us to sell everything and move to a country where the gospel has not been heard, well, I wouldn't hesitate in following through with that calling. For now, I don't believe that is where God is leading us, so for now I'm going to thoroughly enjoy what He has given us to enjoy - for His glory - thanking Him for His provision in the things that we need and the things that we have the privilege to enjoy during the short time we are on this earth. Since we can't take any of it with us, I'm going to be thankful for these areas of my life that are hard to minimize.
1. Books. I love books. I have a "want-to-read" shelf (which is extensive), a children's book shelf in the living room and the playroom (because both our children are book lovers as well, and I want to encourage that), a "resource" book shelf (which is frequently used in our Bible study, educational pursuits, &etc.), a historically valuable pile (For example: I found a grammar and composition lesson book with a copyright date of 1877, but the best part are all the signatures of every student who used it, alongside the date! (!!!!!!) Although it is falling apart, I cannot seem to part with it. I enjoy it immensely.) and finally I have an "I loved these!" shelf (which are often revisited). All of which I have sorted and resorted and finally resigned to putting them back on the shelf. Sure there were some I knew I didn't need. But my donate pile was significantly smaller than my keep pile. In the end, both my husband and I were okay with that. An extensive library is something we both want and use.
Books are a major part of our everyday life. They are always out, being read and reread, enjoyed and loved. It's hard to minimize that.
2. Dresses. I'm a sucker for any style resembling the 20's, 40's and 50's. When I find a dress - oh man - I have a hard time saying no. These day's, however, I'm finding more satisfaction in what I have, and not searching for any more. That's huge considering where I was two year ago before this minimalist mindset was established in my life! Still, I don't want to part with what I have and I have quite a bit! If I had to, I wouldn't hesitate (it's just a dress), but I enjoy them and like how they look on me. For now there is no reason to part with them.
3. Craft supplies. I purged my craft supplies when this all began and there were a few items I regretted getting rid of when I picked up Rebecca's Recycled Readers business where I take old books doomed for the trash and recycle them on donated or tossed items I find in secondhand stores. I enjoy seeing the potential in something and then making it happen! Unfortunately, my craft supplies are growing instead of diminishing... but they will be used and hopefully turned around for profit!
4. School supplies. As a homeschooling mom there are items I just cannot purge for the sake of my children's education.
5. Art supplies. My girls love, love, love coloring, creating, crafting (just like their momma) so those things are out and enjoyed every.single.day. multiple times per day.
6. Teaching materials. After five years in the classroom there are a lot of materials I know I'll use again (currently in storage or being used for my mommy-at-home-classroom). And now that I'm pursuing a specialist degree (in order to keep my teaching certificate active) I am adding more materials instead of diminishing them. I also tutor struggling readers and writers so these things are in use quite often.
7. Girl's Toys. I have purged the playroom most often, but I still feel like it's the most overwhelming room in the house (also because it doubles as our classroom). They have dress up clothes like it's going out of style, a tub of Lego's, a giant Barbie Doll house, a giant bouncing horse (thanks to grandma, which they love and ride quite often), a keyboard, and a pretend kitchen (that my grandpa made for me, and is still being used and loved! Seriously, this thing is over 30 years old and still going strong.) These big items make this room seem small. Still, when I went through all their things with them with certain criteria it became hard to eliminate these things they enjoy quite often and that inspire creativity. So my goal changed to: what can I do to help them easily pick up in 20 minutes or less? Anything else overwhelmed them, especially when there were too many places to put all the things they played with; they needed one toy box or an easy, peasy organization system. Thankfully, I think we are there... for now at least.
8. Pictures. I love taking pictures and making family yearbooks, that our children thoroughly enjoy looking at over and over and over again (but we won't talk about how far behind I am). I love hanging pictures all over our house and I enjoy switching them out every once in a while, especially if I have special seasonal pictures.
9. Christmas Ornaments. We have purchased an ornament for our girls every year that reflect what she has most enjoyed that year. It is so much fun to pull out these gifts and remember why we gave them in the first place. This tradition began with my husband when he was a child and has fond memories as he pulls out the ornaments from his childhood and puts them on the tree. Right now we have three tubs of Christmas items, mostly filled with ornaments (aka memories).
10. Old Thankful Journals. (Which double as a prayer journal.) This discipline has been part of my life for many, many years and I've written about them many, many times:
It's in these journals that I see two things: my growth and God at work. I enjoy dusting them off and remember prayers God has answered, things He gave and took away, and how He changed us day to day. That is indispensable.
Despite any difficulty I have for purging these items, I am not attached to any of them. If God called us to sell everything and move to a country where the gospel has not been heard, well, I wouldn't hesitate in following through with that calling. For now, I don't believe that is where God is leading us, so for now I'm going to thoroughly enjoy what He has given us to enjoy - for His glory - thanking Him for His provision in the things that we need and the things that we have the privilege to enjoy during the short time we are on this earth. Since we can't take any of it with us, I'm going to be thankful for these areas of my life that are hard to minimize.
No comments:
Post a Comment