I never thought I was strong enough to become a minimalist. I've heard of this way of life, but never looked into it or thought much about it. I just thought I needed my stuff and was too lost without it.
The world makes us think that. We live in a society where we think bigger, better, glitzy, big price tag is the best way of life. Shopping is therapy, I believed. My kids need this toy and that outfit. My house needs this and that so I can feel accepted and have people over to entertain. That was the old me. I've been doing some serious doing away with things in my house, my life, and my crazy perspective. I prayed so hard for God to take away the love of money from my heart. And show me what really matters. So here is my little slice of the journey.
I changed my thoughts. After a weight on my heart for better financial living and a heart change, God gave me just that. It wasn't pretty. I had to dig deep and really see what I was spending on, bringing into our house, the use for those things and what I needed to change about myself, which is a hard raw process.
I stopped spending blindly. Which was HARD HARD HARD. I realized the main reason I was spending was because my husband was working away and I was just sad. I realized my spending came from my feelings.
My kids and I don't need a bunch of stuff. The latest toys, clothes, technology? We can't afford it, so I am learning not to covet it when I see it in stores or online. We cut down all their toys and I let them keep a small tub full, not a room full. It gave my kids freedom to explore their imaginations and come up with games, play all on their own.
It gives freedom. I thought it I gave a lot of the things in my house away, I would feel empty. But I don't. I feel so incredibly better, happier and relieved.
Somebody once told me- if your house is always cluttered even if you try to organize and clean- you've got too much stuff and it's true. I was always trying my hardest to clean clean clean, but I was running in circles over a massive elephant in the room- STUFF.
Now, I give all the stuff I can away. I give to family and friends, and donate it away to help others. I just don't keep it if it doesn't have a purpose in our home.
More to come soon on this topic.
Sweet friends, thank you for listening to me. Have anything to add? I'm all ears.
Love,
