Where It Began and How It Continues
Saturday I got this great idea to make the many things in my room slowly disappear. The stuff I don't use or even need. I just got this notion that I have too much and can give it to others who might need it way more than I do. The notion that there is more to life than just the next cute outfit. As you can see clothes are a big issue for me. However, there are other things in my room, and car, that I need to get rid of. Things that hold "sentimental value", or at least to my mom haha. Those school projects that I got A's on. That artwork that we've had since elementary school or even highschool. Those dance costumes that I've kept for years just because they were so cute. All my books from college that are either outdated or will never be read again by me. Just STUFF!
I decided that now more than ever will be the best time to downsize. My room has the space for this stuff, but I'm finding the more I get the less room I have to actually use my room. I literally just cleaned off my desk and my dresser and now there's no room again! I know its Christmas time so I'm giving myself a little grace for all of the things that I'm giving my family that are lying on my bedroom floor. I'm also giving myself grace for all of the workout clothes lying around that I constantly have to wash because I'm at the gym more often than ever. But my closet is a wreck! I need storage for my storage!
This realization has come at the perfect time though. I was planning on moving in February so I was going to have to downsize anyway. However it looks like I'll be moving in January, so for sure this has come at the right time. Then, to top it off...while I was at my aunts place this weekend I saw a documentary on Netflix called The Minimalists. Basically two guys living on only what they truly need and sharing that inspiration in a world that thrives on 'the next new thing'. You should check out their Facebook page HERE! In fact, you should really see their documentary.
It began with a realization. A realization that not only do I have to downsize, but I need to downsize. It continues with motivation. A motivation to continue on this path after seeing The Minimalists this past weekend. Continues with getting rid of one thing a day or more from now until the day I move out. It continues with not buying more stuff that is not a necessity and finding ways to actually save money and give. Basically redefining my priorities.
So what have I gotten rid of so far? Saturday I got rid of over 10 pairs of pants! These were just pants sitting in my closet that don't fit me anymore because I've lost so much weight. Yup, I kept them in case I ever fluctuated in my weight again. I'm not doing that anymore. Gaining that much weight isn't an option.
My goal isn't to persuade you to get rid of things. That's just a plus. I truly hope that you can see what truly should matter to you and hold on to that. Even if that's how you spend your time. Can you spend it more with people you love or doing things that help others? This is the season for giving. Material things or money are just some things that we can give away. Really think about Christmas and the people you want to spend it with. Find ways to give back to the God who gave His only begotten Son on your behalf. The baby that came in such a minimal and lowly situation, let alone birth in a manger in order to walk among us because He saw what was truly important. What seems like so little might mean that much more to the world. And He did. He means that much more to the world whether they see it or not.
*Lord, I pray now that the world would see just how much you gave up on Christmas. You gave your ONLY Son knowing how much He would give up for us. Life, so we could have life. I thank Him now for being the ultimate minimalist I would ever know. He had no home, His friends betrayed Him, He was humiliated on the cross by the stripping of His clothing, and yet you provided His EVERY need. May He be my drive and my every reason behind living with less so I can give more of my life to Him and to others.
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