I've learned that when Allison speaks, it's always something worth savoring. Always. Lean in, lean in to hear her gently share these twelve nuggets of wisdom ...
1. To
be successful, you need to go through things multiple times.
2. At a later time it is sometimes easier to get rid of things than it was previously. You might have a new perspective on an item that two months ago you labeled an essential treasure.
3. It’s satisfying to see the pile of stuff you’re getting rid of grow! This is especially true when you know items are being donated to those who will be able to use them.
4. It’s satisfying to see previously packed drawers/shelves/closets more sparse and manageable.
5. Keeping an item because you’d feel guilty getting rid of it is not a good reason. If it’s not getting use or is causing you guilt, getting rid of it removes the constant reminder.
6. Less looks better.
7. Less is a lot easier to clean.
8. Only keep things you really like. If you don't feel that strongly about it, get rid of it!
9. If you have multiples, ask if you really need multiples.
10. Simplifying should make your life more simple, not more complicated. For example, getting rid of a bookcase might mean a lot more cramming elsewhere which makes retrieving things and putting things away far more complicated. Before getting rid of something ask, “will this make my life less complicated or more complicated?”.
11. Don't make simplicity an idol!
12. You can still keep things! You don't have to get rid of everything you own.
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2 Questions from Linda
Which one of these nuggets did you hear yourself saying YES to?
What's one thing you will do today to jumpstart those words into action?
What's one thing you will do today to jumpstart those words into action?
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7 An Experiment Mutiny Against Excess
ReplyDeleteThe book all the "young" women in my life are studying. It is so refreshing to see others figuring out we have become slaves to our possessions!
Lulu, we looked at that as well! Jen Hatmaker has some excellent thoughts and points.
DeleteThis Jan Hatmaker book is on the list of resources we'll be sharing on day #5. Just super! Even for us women 'of a certain age'!
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Thanks for giving everyone the heads up on this, Lulu! I love that you're here ...
I love Allison's points! The two I liked the most is "less to clean" and keep something because you feel guilty! I guess I can now get rid of the taffeta bridesmaids dress with the huge sleeves and ruffles that I wore when I was 8 1/2 months pregnant with Jonathan! It is still in my basement closet along with some other hideous things! I will never be 8 1/2 months pregnant again and the dress didn't look good the first and only time I wore it over 31 years ago!
DeleteThat guilt is a harsh taskmaster ... what an energy drainer.
DeleteAnd I, for one, am delighted to hear you proclaim that you will not be bearing more children at the ripe ol' age of %# !
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And let's hear it, dear sister, for getting rid of ANY AND ALL hideous articles of clothing!
I'm enjoying this series, Linda! I need to find a respectful way to introduce it to my mom :) Both my parents are unbelievable pack rats. Thankfully I did not inherit that gene! Thanks for being such an inspiration to me, Linda - I always enjoy finding you in my inbox - your sweet encouragement seems to be there just when I need it most - have a blessed week!
ReplyDeleteOh ... that's a hard one! People often don't take kindly to our prompts, do they?! But I love the heart that is prompting your concern - a heart of respect. May you know when to speak, when to be still.
DeleteBut I have a feeling you just might be modeling something compelling for them ... and maybe God can use that to open a door? Sometimes it's just too overwhelming, and people don't know where to begin.
I'm glad you're here, June. I surely am.
In the late 1940s the Air Force began using its first jet trainer, the T-33. Since the traditional way of abandoning a stricken airplane - climbing over the side and jumping - wasn't really practical at 'jet' speeds, the T-33 incorporated first-generation ejection seats, whose use was rather cumbersome.
ReplyDeleteTo facilitate ease of operation in an emergency, a list of steps was printed where the crew could easily read it - on the rail of the canopy (the canopy's the glass 'bubble' that covers the cockpit).
The first item on the list? "Jettison Canopy"
Moral - don't get rid of what you have until you're sure that nothing else depends on its presence.
http://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2014/03/sex-and-single-christian.html
'Don't get rid of what you have until you're sure that nothing else depends on its presence.' mmm ... I 'll have to sit and muse on that a bit, Andrew. It's pretty easy for me to talk myself into something 'cause I think I might need it again some day.
DeleteFortunately, I'm not in the Air Force.
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I figure that I can always get rid of something later, if I have to - but I've ditched far too much that I eventually needed to replace, at higher cost and greater trouble.
DeleteIt can be taken to the absurd, of course, but a reasonable approach can walk a good middle path.
Yeah, we want to operate from a place of wisdom and sanity, not foolishness or being hasty. No matter what we're doing.
DeleteMany of these "nuggets" I started right away. They have inspired me to take a closer look at the things that take precious space. I especially like 8 and 9. I totally agree with 1 as I have been working on clearing this house off and on for years. I have a huge amount of stuff going to Goodwill. Thank you for having this series, Linda!!
ReplyDeleteIt makes my heart sing that this is working so well for you, Barb!
DeleteI find that re-combing through my stuff periodically allows me to toss/donate/sell what I am ready to get rid of at THAT moment in time. And allow myself some grace to come back at a later date and re-examine what remains and get rid of more unneeded stuff. And repeat again.
If I look at an object and sigh, or say UGH, or feel a heaviness in my spirit, that's a pretty good signal that it's time to say 'goodbye' and send the possession on to a better home.
If we force ourselves to do everything at once, we'll get overwhelmed, throw up our hands, give up. And THAT I do not want to do.
Keep up the good work. You're an inspiration!
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Agreed! Simplicity is so much more than a one-time experience. Instead it's a process, and one that hopefully becomes easier as it becomes a habit.
DeleteLove this simplicity series you're doing!!!
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love the question about whether getting rid of this thing will make life more or less complicated.
And I'm loving the conversations that are springing from Jonathan and Allison's posts ...
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Thanks for jumping into the mix, Dar!
Glad you're enjoying the series, Dar! That lesson about not letting simplicity make life more complicated was a lesson we learned because of my excitement to simplify...a little more excessively than we needed at one point. Thankfully I'm blessed with an amazing wife with whom I could talk things through. She had an excellent perspective and we made the right decision not to over-simplify.
DeleteWhat a great series! I am a homeschooling mother to five. I am not a collector or trinkets and I don't like lots of stuff setting around. Six months ago we moved into a new home. I finally feel like we are settled and everything has a place of it's own, but just this week I've been looking around telling myself we need to simplify. This series is very timely for me. Thanks for linking up.
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Jacqui. Don't you love God's timing, linking us up together ... I hope you'll find lots to encourage you on your journey here.
DeleteI'm so glad you found your way to Creekside ...
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Honestly, I think I make "stuff" my idol much more than simplicity. But like most humans, I want to take a good thing too far! ha! Thanks for the wisdom of these many looks into decluttering and making room in our lives, Linda!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for taking the time to join the conversations on 3 of these posts today, my friend. You are always such a huge support to me ...
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