The Necessities

How much stuff do we need? How much is enough? How much is too much? We live in a world of consumerism, where we are taught that enough is never enough.

Lately I have been downsizing (because of a move) and I realized how much junk I have that I don't need. Some stuff I want to keep because of sentimental value, but I doubt the person who gave it to me even remembers.

I looked around today and realized "I don't need this stuff." I don't need it to be happy, and all it does is weigh me down and clutter my life.

So, even though the move is over, the removal of clutter will continue. I don't know how much stuff I will have once this is all over, but I'm hoping it'll be a lot less.

Just making this decision today made me a lot happier! From now on, I'm going to focus on the necessities by asking this question: "Do I really need this, or do I just want it?" And I think it's okay to have some things you just want. But don't let them accumulate too much.

I'm not going to do it all at once either. I think that might send my system into shock. Rather, I'm going to do it in stages. First, I'll start with movies I no longer watch. I'm already reading through the books I've accumulated so that I can get rid of them when I'm done.

As the months go on, I'll get rid of knickknacks I don't really have any sentimental attachment to. One day, I hope to be rid of all the unnecessary miscellaneous things that have cluttered and taken over my life. Hopefully by the next time I have to move, I won't have nearly as many things I don't need, or really want.

I encourage anyone who is struggling with clutter, or throwing things out to look up minimalism. Often the blogs and websites have great strategies for letting go of things we have sentimental attachment to, or think we need, but actually don't. Usually, they have steps and stages, so that you don't go into shock.
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Jesus said "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:19-21).