These types of thoughts have been mulling around and building in my head for at least a couple years. I started noticing that we live in a world of excess when we would come home from Christmas barely able to close the back door to our SUV. Christmas morning every year consists of one child opening a gift and being so delighted that they start playing with it instantly. Then pretty soon the toy is taken away and they are handed another gift to open from the stack. If the child is so content with one present, why do we think they need two (or ten)? Especially when they have a whole room full of toys that they are perfectly happy with and still play with. I know that a child is loved by many people: moms and dad, at least 2 sets of grandparents, aunts and uncles, siblings, even their teacher at school. If Santa is going to compete with all of THAT, he'd better bring something good. And while it is so fun and exciting and appreciated, it's all too much!A friend recently recommended a book to me called "It's All Too Much" by Peter Walsh. I believe it was an answer to my prayers. My husband jokingly calls the book my new scriptures, and I can't really discount that statement because many of the points in the book rang true for me. I have hit a point in my life that I'm ready to let things go.
And that is what I did. I went through all of my personal belongings, worked with the kids on their room, and helped Dax go through some of his things. We filled many garbage bags and many bags to take to D.I. By the end of our week, we had made a good dent. I would have taken it all to Deseret Industries, but my checking account was pretty low from building expenses, so I had a yard sale Saturday. I sold a lot of things and got to talk to a lot of people. I can't tell you how many times I heard something like, "I already have too much stuff, but I really like going to yard sales." One lady said, "Whenever anyone in the county needs anything, they just come get it at my house. I have a shed full of stuff and I am getting another shed." It's so easy to acquire belongings, and it even makes us feel good and successful and productive. But it is even more exciting to let it all go and see the open space grow and feel my mind clear.
We'll never be done de-cluttering because we will constanly be getting more stuff as the years roll on. This Christmas, my husband and I are cutting back on gifts for each other and the kids. We will focus more on service and experiences and fun. Memories last longer than presents, anyway. And they don't require me to buy more storage bins!
4 comments:
isn't that book the best?! really, i loved it and want to buy it but will it just add clutter to my book shelf? ha!
he had so many good points. and isn't the library the greatest? borrow all you want, read, enjoy, learn then give it back!
i am TOTALLY with you and dax on the Christmas thing. I am frustrated year after year that we put so much effort and time and money on stuff when really that "stuff" doesn't and shouldn't matter. it's so commercialized and kids think they need to own every toy ever made. we buy, buy, buy. i long for christmas to be simple again. i'm all about giving but there are better ways to give than just with gifts.
i'm blabbing now. good luck.
You said it well Hist. I have been feeling this, too. It's interesting to watch how much money is flushed down the toilet by our need to comfort ourselves with frivolous things (or for feeling the need to spend extravagant amounts of money on other people). I have been thinking about Christmas and I am actually excited because for the first time ever--Danny and I have decided to give each other 1 gift. It will be homemade and I can't wait to see what he comes up with :) ha. But seriously...good thoughts. Good stuff.
I hear ya. All I want for Christmas is an empty house. After bringing back all the baby stuff for Hayden, I felt like the walls were closing in on me. It really puts me in a bad mood! If we move this spring, Justin wants to sell literally everything we own (except our table--he loves our table :) ) I'm totally up for it.
I’ll have to check out the book because I have an overwhelming desire lately to purge myself and home of any unnecessary baggage! I think pregnancy does that to you and now I’m just feeling double the need. But this is something that has been on my mind since even before pregnancy. I just keep seeing the word SIMPLIFY scrolling across my mind. I feel SO good every time I throw something away. Like I just became a little bit lighter or the air just became a little bit easier to breath. This year the boys are getting one present from Santa and something to share from mom and dad. I realized that I’ve had the wind taken out of my sails the last few years when I’ve got them each a few things they really wanted only to have their excitement torn between several different items. Also, what ever happened to Christmas Programs? I really want to take the family to see some Christmas programs this year because I think they remind us of the real reason for the season but it seems like there are less and less each year. Not even all the Wards do them anymore. What’s up with that?
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