When Less Is More

Why I got rid of a lot of my "stuff"

Amanda Walter is a teacher and happily married to her pastor-husband, Jonathan. They serve on Western Michigan’s lakeshore. This article is from Amanda’s website: www.maplealps.com.

“MINIMALISM” IS GETTING a lot of attention these days, and one of my personal resolutions is to lead a more minimalistic lifestyle. I  intentionally strive to live simply, because I believe that owning less makes life feel purposeful.


I feel such satisfaction when I finally let go of something that is just taking up space—something I haven’t used in years or may not have liked in the first place! I owned a few items that held a certain sentimental value, but I was even able to rationally say goodbye to some of them. Some of my best years were when I could fit everything I needed into two suitcases. Don’t worry; I’m not telling anyone to get rid of their sentimental items; this is my personal choice, and it’s a continuing process. But here’s why I think that less is more:


SAVE MONEY
If you are content with your needs, then nothing is compelling you to buy as much as your credit card or bank account will allow.


SAVE TIME
When you have less “stuff,” you tend to have more time. Think it through: 

Fewer dishes = less dishwashing.
Less decor = less dusting (and less clutter).
Fewer clothes = less laundry (not to mention less time deciding what to wear in the morning).

Basically, you’ll have more time to do what you enjoy (or more time to be productive!).


HAVE QUALITY ITEMS
Since you will have fewer expenses and fewer things to buy, you should buy items that will stand the test of time—items that won’t break after just a few uses. Bonus: your possessions will also have more meaning to you personally, because you actually use and love them and took the time to choose well!

LESS CLUTTER TO OCCUPY YOUR SPACE AND YOUR MIND
When my surroundings are a mess, I find that my thoughts are too. I can’t be as creative, and I can’t easily stay on task. Your surroundings often reflect your state of mind.


PACK LESS, TRAVEL MORE
More money to spend on travel, less to put into your suitcase. (Say goodbye to overweight fees at the airport!)

 

ADD VALUE TO YOUR LIFE
Decluttering and simplifying is really just getting rid of anything that does not add value or joy to your life. I have experienced it myself: when I let go of items that are just “things,” I feel free of dead weight. Material things are not bad, and neither is having a certain sentimental attachment to some of them. But I strive to store treasures in heaven (see Matthew 6:19-21). 

 

Consider getting rid of useless and meaningless possessions. You’ll declutter not only your surroundings but also your mind— and you’ll have more room for God and His Holy Spirit.

 

Amanda Walter is a teacher and happily married to her pastor-husband, Jonathan. They serve on Western Michigan’s lakeshore. This article is from Amanda’s website: www.maplealps.com.