This started because I was tired of stuff ruling my life. I know there is no escaping our material things unless I become a nun or Amish so I wanted to figure out something to do to help with the stuff overwhelm. I feel like I have been decluttering for a decade…. because I have. I now see decluttering is not a one and done kind of thing but it is a thing that is for a lifetime. Stuff multiplies like rabbits and we have to stay on top of it to not become overwhelmed.

But I’m realizing the wisdom of Taylor Swift- “It’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me”. Even though I have 4 kids and they all have plenty of stuff, I recognize I am not innocent in this stuff accumulation thing. I am a sucker for deals. I love to find treasures at the thrift stores. I enjoy free stuff. But it has taken me a bit to realize that I love peace far more. I love walking into a room and seeing clear, flat surfaces (counters, dresser tops, desks, tables etc). I love the freedom of feeling like I can pursue creative endeavors because I do not have a clutter pile staring and laughing loudly at me.

I LOVE PEACE.

I LOVE PEACEFUL SPACES.

I LOVE PEACEFUL DRAWERS.

I LOVE PEACEFUL CLOSETS.

I LOVE A PEACEFUL KITCHEN TABLE WITH JUST A VASE OF FRESH FLOWERS.

I LOVE A PEACEFUL PANTRY WITH LABELED BINS AND EVERYTHING IN A HOME.

I LOVE A PEACEFUL BEDROOM WITH A BEAUTIFULLY MADE BED THAT I CAN CRAWL INTO AFTER A LONG DAY.

I LOVE A PEACEFUL KITCHEN ISLAND COMPLETELY BARE SO I CAN MAKE PIZZA CRUST.

I LOVE A PEACEFUL ENTRY WAY TO GREET ME AS I RETURN HOME.

I LOVE A PEACEFUL ART STATION THAT HAS SORTED BUCKETS OF ART SUPPLIES INVITING MY SON AND HIS BFF TO CREATE.

So it is time to focus on all I have instead of seeking what I do not. One of my BFFs has a wooden sign in her house that says, “Gratitude turns what we have into enough”. Can I get an Amen?!?

We are continually inundated with media that slyly implies that who we are is not enough because what we have is not enough. We need this skin care to achieve flawless skin. We need these shoes to be cool. We need this decor to be up to date. We need this car to be sexy and powerful.

I just feel so done with it. We are tempted to acquire so we can say, “hey look at all this cool stuff I have. Look how important I am. Look at me.” None of us would say this is why we buy. We all have a core desire to feel seen and loved. We are just being deceived that this can be accomplished through material items.

I told my husband, Jeremy that I wanted to try to give up shopping for 40 days for Lent. He said, “I thought you already started that?” He is right. A few weeks prior I gave myself this challenge. But I failed. lol. We joked that I could write a book about all my attempts. It would be very relatable.

So getting back up again and trying it again.

I will write future posts on the “rules” of it for me and how it is going.