Clearing Away the Clutter

Although simplifying my physical space is only one facet of my journey toward a simpler life, I am constantly amazed at just how difficult this task is for me. No matter how much I clear out, donate, recycle, organize... it still seems like there is so much clutter still left over. I am inspired by those who have successfully lived according to the rules of "the compact,"  those who are living in small spaces, those who are reducing their possessions to only a set number of things. Period.

When I was little my family lived on a 27-foot sailboat. We also lived on a boat-access only island where everything we wanted to get to and from the island had to be transported in our very small, not-so-reliable boat. This next week I am going to ask my parents questions about this time in our lives - much of which I was too young to remember with much clarity - and then see what lessons I learn that I can apply to my life today. There is something beautiful about not being hindered, bogged-down, controlled by our stuff. There is also something difficult about shifting our minds away from the consumer mentality that drives so much of people's day-to-day interactions.

All I really want is to be free and to be able to focus my energy on the people, ideas, and actions that truly mean something to me. Everything else is going to have to fade away, be given away, or be just let go of. 

Getting Married...

No, not me... my little brother. I am so excited for him and the wonderful woman he is marrying as they start this new adventure in their lives together. I have no doubt that they'll enjoy the journey. 

The journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step - or - Reflecting on the journey

I realized even though I read other people's blogs everyday, I haven't posted on my own in almost two months. Hmmm... again, I've sat here waiting for the perfect post to come and then write nothing. As a writer, I should know this process doesn't work that way. Sometimes I just have to put the words down with them and then perfect them later. So here we go...

Sometimes I don't think much about simplicity until I wake up one morning, my mind racing with all the things I "have" to do and all the deadlines I "have to meet." It's almost like I wait until I'm forced to take a deep breath before I take the time to look around and ask those all-important questions about my life, questions like:

What am I doing?

Where am I going?

Why am I doing what I'm doing and going where I'm going?

I think that voluntary simplicity is as much about consciousness and intention as anything else. In that way, choosing to live more simply is very much like the writing process. You start off with an idea, a vision, a goal. Then you give it a shot, as messy as that first attempt might look. And then to pare it down, and pare it down some more. Sometimes you have to stop and breathe, scream, jump around the room. Or do whatever it takes to refocus yourself. And then you keep at it. Even if you end up with a final product in mind, if you don't take pleasure in the journey then the end product can never be as beautiful.

I've realized that there are a lot of things I like about my own simplicity journal. I like the satisfaction of cleared spaces -- in my home, in my life, in my mind. I like planning the next steps. I like the feeling of free moments. I like knowing that I'm trying, albeit imperfectly, to reduce my footprint on the earth. And I like stopping once in a while to reflect on how far I've come and how good it feels to enjoy the journey.