Decluttering Project

One of the largest obstacles in decluttering in our home is the storage closet. I was tempted to toss everything into the garbage.  But... That would cost me money in the long run.  I would hate to replace all our Christmas decorations.

The Chaos Begins!

Plus, my pictures are irreplaceable.

However, my husband and I dug in.  The result?  Bags and boxes are loaded into the back of my husband's truck for donation.  I tried being ruthless.  For the most part, I surprised myself at how easy it was to discard so much.  But... Then I came across a box of my kids old art work and (sigh) couldn't part with it.  I think I'll Pinterest ideas on creative ways to use some of it.  I also kept some old cards.  I know... Useless clutter, but some of those cards are from beloved family members that are no longer with us. Again, I want to find a way to preserve some of the memories.

I doubt I'll ever reach the "minimalist" level that I've read about.  However, minimizing and organizing and getting rid of things is kind of like a drug.  Once you start, you don't want to stop.  I find myself asking myself what I really want, really need.  I am discovering that I really am not as attached as I thought to our stuff.  It's just stuff!  

The ultimate goal of all this decluttering is to create a less stressful atmosphere in my home.  Less to take care of means less stress.  It also means more time, time to focus on the Lord, time to focus on my children, time to slow our pace down. I like how many books and blogs label this sort of life - intentional living.  

Life is short, and mindlessly collecting "things" is not the same as truly living.  As a Christian, I've come to believe that a life full of spending money to have a bunch of things is money that could be spent more wisely.  First, the money should go to further the kingdom.  Imagine if Christians did without a few "things" and sponsored a child through a group like Compassion International.  What impact would that have on world hunger?  Poverty?  What if every Christian in America gave what they could to organizations that fight the sex trade? We could obliterate it!

As for our those in our lives, I have come to believe that giving experiences is priceless.  I think my children would remember the family excursions more than yet another toy that ends up in the bottom of the toy box.  I think appreciation for things increases if a child is taught that possessions shouldn't be plentiful and easily replaced. 

We haven't eaten at our dining room table for a long time.  Why?  It's been buried in stuff.  I want that changed. I want to enjoy my loved ones, and I am frustrated that we've gotten away from eating together at the table.

Today will be another day of "going through stuff."  I'm a bit excited.  It's like an adventure to a new life.