Last year I stumbled upon a book entitled, “The More of Less” by Joshua Becker, adding it to my perpetual queue of books to read. I skimmed the table of contents and read the introduction, setting my mind into action envisioning the ways in which I could truly simplify my life. I also began following Becker’s website as a way of keeping that flame kindled. One of my favorite articles outlines the various benefits of owning less.

With the start of the new year, I decided that I was finally in a position to engage this goal in earnest. I enrolled in his 12-week online course, “Uncluttered.”

The Week 1 Challenge encouraged me to meditate on the reason(s) why I wish to unclutter, clearly identifying the motivation that will drive my actions over the next twelve weeks.

In reflection, it seems so much of my life has been spent packing, unpacking, storing, and/or moving stuff. When I moved into my current house almost three years ago, it marked the 29th move in my life.

While I’ve had great garage sales, and have thrown thousands of dollars worth of belongings away in the process, I still feel overwhelmed by the amount of things I own. Raised with the philosophy that, “you shouldn’t get rid of that, you might need it later,” I struggle with truly letting go. This is a very real struggle that has had a very real impact on my daily life. My hope is to lift some of the weight that my “stuff” has placed on me over the years.

In response to the Week 1 prompt given, I desire to own less so I can….

• Have more physical space, with less to clean and organize. A space that will feel more welcoming and allow for more spontaneous creativity.
• Have more mental space, reducing the anxiety generated from feeling overwhelmed and surrounded by stuff. A space that facilitates intentional living and contentment.
• Have more space for emotions, like joy and gratitude, encouraging a feeling of being calm and present.
• Be healthier through less consumption and more activity, allowing more space for projects and tasks that contribute to a healthier lifestyle.

I desire to own less, uncluttering my home, mind, and spirit, so I can live more freely and intentionally in the present in a way that truly honors what I value most in life.

Eloquently said by J.P. Morgan, “The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are.” Here’s to first steps and big trash bags. 🙂