‘Declutter’ your life for a fulfilled, balanced existence
The other day, I was driving down a street in my neighborhood and a neighbor had their garage door open. Everything but a car was in that garage. I mean everything. Now, now, I’m not here to pass judgement. I am just confused by how we can acquire so much stuff that the actual “thing” that is supposed to be in a garage is sitting outside because there is no room for it. Are you tracking with me? The space was made for a vehicle but instead it holds “stuff” that doesn’t fit in the house.
How many of my friends binge watch shows on Netflix? The most recent binge-worthy TV show that’s hit my radar is Tidying Up with Marie Kondo. I have yet to watch the show but I am very intrigued by the show’s premise and want to learn more about Marie’s process to declutter spaces and homes. Although Marie’s processes may be new and a little different than (thanking each item before you give it away or trash it) what I would consider typical, the idea of decluttering or limiting the amount of “stuff” we have is not a new idea.
Have you ever watched the TV show, “Hoarders”? Talk about decluttering!?! Or what about the early 2000’s TV show, “Clean House,” featuring Niecy Nash? Before binge watching was a “thing,” I remember watching episode after episode of those shows on Saturday mornings. I’d also watch them late at night when nothing else on the tube seemed to be sparking my interest. Ironically the same networks that brought us those shows also encouraged us to over shop, over eat, and over do everything! From “Extreme Couponing” to “My Shopping Addiction” to “Addicted to Food,” television shows us a world of extremes.
A self-proclaimed minimalist, the irony that I watch many of these shows is not lost on me. I don’t have many “things,” my wardrobe is considerably downsized twice a year (with only a few items to purge from), and I believe everything should have a place and purpose – if you don’t use it, you need to lose it. It gives me some anxiety to spend a lot of money on furniture, technology, electronics, clothes and vehicles – all of which depreciate in value as soon as its made or purchased. Now that’s not to imply that I don’t have any of those things or refuse to replace items when they need replaced. What it does mean is that I am willing to have the essentials, hold on to things a little longer than most people would, and spend my time and money on experiences rather than “stuff.” Instead of living in extremes, balance is what I desire.
This year, I committed to focus on my one word – balance. Balance for my life includes, pursuit of a deeper relationship with Christ, structured and productive time spent working on projects that I value, boundaries created for protected family time, One month into the new year, I’ve already been challenged as I pursue my one word. For example, I committed to working only between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm daily (10 hours – but I work two jobs and consult often). For the last two weeks, I’ve worked as late as 2:00 am and as early as 4:00 am. I committed to completing a daily devotional each morning before I leave the house (I was already doing this but not doing it before I went to work). I’ve missed at least 10 days since January 1. Doesn’t it always seem that way? When we commit to something, we encounter barriers and experience challenges along the way as we pursue it.
I’m not going to be too hard on myself though. Yes I’ve failed at following through with some of my plans, but overall, I’ve been way more intentional about seeking balance in my life. Since I started to seek balance for my life, I now realize the impact my daily decisions have on my schedule, my energy, my mood, and so on. Marie Kondo once said, “People cannot change their habits without first changing their way of thinking.” I think John Maxwell and probably 10 other people have said some version of this too. Ha! But seriously, changing my way of thinking has allowed me space to change my habits.
Granted, I am a minimalist, so hoarding “stuff” isn’t really my problem. But putting too many things into places that were not made to hold them can be. My daily schedule was not made to hold 15 hours of work. My mind was not meant to hold problems that belong to other people. My heart was not meant to hold past hurts. Friends, do you hear me?
What is it that you need to declutter out of your life? What is that you need to purge from your life so that you can live a fulfilled, balanced existence? Is it time for an early spring cleaning?
Gina Watts is a former resident of Fayette County, now living in Columbus, Ohio. She serves multiple communities as an advocate, educator, and leader. Follow Gina on Twitter @professorgmarie.