Life With Less

Minimalism. Whenever I used to hear this word, I immediately would think "ugly, hospital-like rooms in your house that you have to somehow do life in." You know what I mean? A cold, uninviting room that doesn't exude any warmth, character or personality. Yuck. I love my house to have character. I want it to reflect me and my husband's lifestyle. Who doesn't like their stuff? I want to be comfortable and surrounded by all of my favourite things when I'm at home. Sounds pretty good, right?

But what happens when your contentment and your peace is being taken away by the very things within your walls? When the desire to consume more, the comparison, and of course the ever attractive jealousy rears it's ugly head, you know that you've entered dangerous territory. That was me. For the past 2-3 years to be exact. Until God had other plans to shift my really bad attitudes that I had developed in regards to possessions and happiness this past year - more specifically - this past summer.

This past summer, my mindset shifted towards a concept of wanting to live with less. Several extremely stressful events happened. I couldn't keep up. Between myself and my husband both working full time, trying to eat healthy, planning an overseas trip (with me being an unseasoned - translate that as never ever been on an airplane or done anything - traveller) and the passing away of a family member, by the end of August, I was in a very bad spot. Sleep? Ha! Enjoying the friendship of your spouse? No way. Either myself or David has to work late? Well who is going to pick up the slack for all that needs to get done around the house? Neither one of us could because we were maxed out. I would focus on "all of the things that I have to do" in order for the week to go smoothly. Fall behind on one thing? The whole week is thrown off. For multiple nights in a row, I remember falling asleep just praying for the chaos to be lessened somehow. David and I both agreed that we (insert mostly me here) needed the overwhelming weight of responsibility of caring for so many "things" to decrease. But how?

The turning point was when my family member passed away in August.Towards the end of her life, she didn't have a lot of material possessions.You see, I was there to help with the downsizing of her apartment to an assisted living home. I was also there to help clear out her assisted living room before she passed away. I watched her choose to bring with her only the things that served her well. Anything that wasn't kept was given away, or tossed out. It was hard. It was eye-opening.

I inherited various items from her, and while these items remind me of her, they don't replace the person. This got me thinking. What if I could build memories that last? What if I could develop deeper relationships with other people? What would that look like? It would look like less stuff to manage, organize and maintain.

Insert purging the house here.

So, that's where I'm at as of today. Clearing clutter. Evaluating whether items are serving me or stealing from me. Assessing if that piece of home decor REALLY does edify me with beauty or if it's just another thing to clean.

And here is what I have already noticed in just a few short days: a calmer house. A repentant heart for not having my priorities in line by focusing on things instead of serving people. Less arguing with my husband. Less dishes to wash. Less items to dust. More time to spend learning. More time to love. More time to invest in people. Room to breathe.

xo, Alyssa