Less is More

random thoughts
medications
travelogues
bank deposit slips
every note to self
or others
even memories and wills
handwritten
chicken scratch
from thousands
of tiny lead pencils
on backs of torn
scraps of paper
receipts old bills
paper bags junk mail
doesn’t seem to matter

neat worn rubber banded
stacks piled high
in corners closets drawers
and baskets
everywhere the eye falls
fragments telling stories
of a life lived
simply
within means
no media
social pressure
green sustainability
or undoing excesses
left behind
fought over
or forgotten
only simple honest common
sense

compassionate
ethical
responsibility
learned from elders
commitment
to life without waste
leaving nothing
to speak of save
the cherished wisdom
of life and liberty
like prophets of old
a way of life
rooted in reflection
and forethought
giving forward
from what has been given
whole in intent and action
as natural as breathing

Comments

[Amadoma Bediako]

I don't know why people aren't posting.

I love the imagery in this piece. As a clutterer in recovery, "Less is More" has become one of my mantras. I have been given a great deal on several levels and I hope that my "giving forward' is "as natural as breathing". I will share this one.

[Qiy]

Amadoma, thank you for reading, connecting and sharing!

This piece was inspired by my father. After he passed, it really hit me how frugally he lived and yet had everything he needed. I'm convinced he was the original recycler/reuser/reducer! I came away with a visceral understanding of 'less is more' and a commitment to strive to live closer to his example. It's definitely a work in progress.

Be well.

[Asatu Musunama]

For the past two years I have been learning to let go of clutter and hoarding I find that when I release things and and free of clutter I think and breath better. Last year I gave several thousands of dollars worth of unused clothing and stuff away to various charitable organizations and recycled a bunch of other things(clothes,shoes,furniture) by giving them to friends and family. I am frightened of becoming like those people from hoarders and would like to teach my children how to recycle and keep their space free of clutter. I know I need to let go of even more, I have a whole office in my storage unit..and I am wasting money and my husband has the equivalent of a one bedroom apartment in his storage unit. He wants to bring all of this to the house but I feel overwhelmed at the thought that the house will become full of all of these items from storage and we have no place to put them.
Any suggestions???

[Qiy]

Asatu, you've brought up some great points and concerns!

It is common practice to hang onto clothing items hoping to one day 'fix' the current problem (lose enough weight to fit it again, replace a broken zipper, buy something to complete the outfit, etc) but too often that day just never comes. My motto for clothing has been "if you didn't wear it in the previous appropriate season, you probably won't", so get rid of it.

Have you shared your storage concerns with your husband? Perhaps the two of you can agree to designate some days to go to the storage unit(s) to sort through what's there, eliminate what isn't needed, and make a plan for how/where to integrate the rest into your home.

One idea I love is making an agreement that for a new item to enter the home, something already residing there must go away. So if I see a pair of shoes I cannot live without, I must first give away/donate/throw out some other article of clothing first. Before I can bring home a toaster I found at a yard sale, I've got to be willing to give up the waffle iron or the electric knife. This forces one to re-evaluate how important it is to have that desired item. The idea applies to books, toys, food, and more. Of course, you can designate certain items of necessity - like a washing machine where none currently exists, etc - as exempt from the rule.

Bottom line: set your boundaries, honor them, and reevaluate from time to time to ensure they are still serving your needs. It's quite liberating to let go and move on.

My friend, Jacquie Ross, offers great tips, articles and resources on her website: http://www.castawaytheclutter.com

All the best!