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Living simply

Although I try to stay away from 'isms', I don't despise the word 'Minimalism'. In fact, I love it. Many of the people who inspired me most on my decluttering and living simply journey call themselves minimalists. I have learned a lot from them, and continue to enjoy how their books, podcasts, and posts challenge and inspire me. 

But I would not call myself a minimalist, or even an aspiring one for that matter. I just want to live more simply and to welcome more lightness into my life. Life itself can be heavy, so it doesn't make sense to carry around more than what serves us, including labels that can mean different things to different people. 

Wise words, perhaps, but not always the way things play out. And that's okay. There is no point in beating myself (or yourself) up about the past. 

I am using my knowledge of the power of the present moment to change how I motivate myself, and therefore how I show up in my life and for those around me. Below I share my current goals for simplifying and letting go.

My space: To let go of anything that doesn't serve me. I know, pretty nebulous. The more concrete goals I have planned for 2023 are Operation Clear Garage and Operation Sell Stuff on Marketplace (OSSM sounds a little like 'awesome' doesn't it? Ha!). Since the garage is where my family's clutter still has a stronghold and the space where I take pics for putting stuff on marketplace, these two goals go hand in hand. I hope to start a month-long challenge for this soon. 

My body: I want to be more conscious about the food and drink I put into my body. I want to become physically healthier and lighter. To let go of cravings. I know what you're thinking: Isn't this just a fancy way of saying you want to lose weight? Yes. But not to be fancy, just to challenge with myself to think differently about my body. Instead of 'fixing' my body, I want to support it. It's the only one I have, so it's time to be kind.   

My life: If part of life is how we interact with others and our environment/surroundings, then this is something I would like to change. Specifically, I wish to be more mindful about purchases, especially books, clothing, and decor. I continue to challenge myself to live by the mantra, "We have enough." (especially when I'm standing in the middle of a Target or TJMaxx!)

Is all this too much to expect from myself, too much pressure? In the past, it would have been. I would have gone full tilt until I "screwed up", burnt out, and gave up. But that's not how it has to be anymore. I can focus on one of these things (maybe start a challenge for a little excitement), and slowly chip away as the present moment allows. There is no hurry, just the potential joy and freedom of letting go.    

What about you, dear reader? Share your thoughts, challenges, and deepest simplifying desires below.  


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