Learning To Live With Less
Living A Simpler Life
Exploring what one really needs to survive and grow. Our lives get so complicated as we age. We accumulate so much stuff, material stuff and mental stuff can drag us down and keep us from moving forward.
My life has left me with a lot of emotional baggage. I need to clean out the trash in my mind and heart to start over fresh. This is a struggle for me as I tend to cling to the guilt rather than forgiving myself.
As far as material stuff, I don't have that struggle. Every time that I have started over I seem to leave with just the clothes on my back. I have had my belongings stolen, kept and trashed out of spite, put into storage and lost. The hardest thing is loosing family items and missing a home to call my own.
I so want to live a simpler life. I don't need much space anymore. I want to be independent but not isolated. I want healthy relationships with family and friends. I want to give more than I receive.
I guess, I just want to be me.
Living Large by Living Small - Under Constuction
Here is my Dream Home.
I love the idea of less space indoors and more space outdoors.
A small place for shelter and the comforts of a home to renew my body but more space outdoors to garden, kick up my heels, enjoy nature to renew my spirit is my dream.
It's just a dream now but I can already see it in my mind. I can see the wild flowers. I can hear the hummingbird's wings as they dart from flower to flower. I can feel the warmth of the sun on my shoulders and the soft breeze in my face. I can smell the afternoon rain on it's way. I can even taste the fresh grown vegetables picked from my small garden.
What Do We Really Need To Live?
Learning The Difference Between Need and Want
Exploring and Researching:
What do we need and how much of it? What is a need? What is a want? Then ask yourself why or the purpose of having the item.
Do I need a TV in every room? Of course not.
Do I want a TV in every room? No, not really.
What would be the purpose of having a TV in every room? There is no logical purpose. In fact, I waste too much time on TV now.
The above example thumped me in the head and made me realize I don't need a TV at all. The shows that I enjoy are usually on Discovery or National Geographic channel. I can find them on line.
Do I need so many purses? Of course not.
Do I want so many purses? No, not really.
What is the purpose of having a purse? To carry lots of stuff with you, I guess. Wouldn't a wallet in my pocket be more practical and safe to hold essentials in like my ID, Debit Card ( I don't use credit cards) cash etc? Why yes it would.
How To Scale Down?
Sell, Donate, Give, Recycle, Trash
I've been selling some things on E-Bay.
I went to flea market today and sold a few things. I had fun, enjoyed the sun and met some interesting people. I even gave some things away as my heart led me to do. I hope to go again.
I have some nice things to donate to Habitat ReStore. How about that TV? I have some nice things for Salvation Army too. How about some clothes I don't wear and of course a purse or two?
I have some wooden items that I can paint and re-purpose into useful gifts or even sell.
Oh yes, there is trash but it too can be recycled into appropriate bins.
Recycle Reuse Repurpose
Using What You Have Available
Another person's trash can be a treasure.
This is an old bucket used as a light. Pretty cool for the kitchen.
Donate Donate Donate
It is very rewarding to donate good used item. There are so many agencies that would welcome your useful household items.
This is a much better option than filling your over crowded land fill.
Some that quickly come to my mind:
Habitat For Humanity
Salvation Army
Good Will
Homeless Shelters
Your Church Family
Check your local phone book for more and remember they will often pick up large items..
Real Tiny House Links
- Tunbleweed Tiny House Company
A variety of tiny houses to look at with different square footage available. - Tiny House Real Estate Listings
Tiny houses for sale and to rent. - Tiny Texas Houses
Quite possibly my favorite site. They use show houses built with recycled materials. Great photos of outside and interior to inspire you.
Cleaning Out Old Thoughts and Habits
Since I have been learning to live with less. I thought of all the extra junk I have stashed in my mind. So I have started to clear out the negative thoughts in the attic (my mind) that keep me from moving forward in my life.
During this process, I realized my body needed some cleansing too. I needed to get rid of some bad habits and replace them with good ones.
I visualize bins and old suitcases to pack my negative thoughts, regrets etc. into and get rid of them.
What To Do With The Mental Baggage?
Try sorting out some of the stuff that is bothering you. Imagine a few suitcases in front of you, now let's put a baggage tag on each one of them. One of mine would be labeled Past Mistakes. Another is labeled Guilt. Maybe, I'll tackle these first. It's always easier to approach a big job in small steps.
Now that I have filled these two suitcases, what to do with them, I ask? I tried burying them once but they kept surfacing. I no longer need to hang on to this baggage and I sure wouldn't want to donate it to anyone else. I think it is time to symbolically burn it and not let the smoke get in my eyes.
Now let's find a good past special memory and make a new great memory to celebrate. Today celebrate, tomorrow we can tackle another suitcase..
I have been busy at work packing another suitcase that I have labeled Fears. Fear has crippled me in so many ways. It has kept me from experiencing real love. I have built walls around me and made excuses for my behavior. I will be glad to get rid of this baggage. In it's place love will grow. Fear and love cannot exist in the same place
"There are two basic motivating forces: fear and love. When we are afraid, we pull back from life. When we are in love, we open to all that life has to offer with passion, excitement, and acceptance. We need to learn to love ourselves first, in all our glory and our imperfections. If we cannot love ourselves, we cannot fully open to our ability to love others or our potential to create. Evolution and all hopes for a better world rest in the fearlessness and open-hearted vision of people who embrace life."
John Lennon
Living Out of A Suitcase
Just One
What would you pack if you could only carry one suitcase for the rest of your life? What do I need to pack to be best prepared for this unknown journey? What would I wish I had packed but didn't?
What to Pack ( 1st draft)
1. Comfortable shoes for walking.
2. A change of clothes.
3. Personal hygiene items.
4. Blanket or throw
5. My Bible
6. Identification
7. Glasses
8. Ball Cap for bad hair day.
9. Notebook and pen
10. Medicine
11. Flashlight
12. Address Book
13. Contact for Emergency Number
14. Stamps
15. Hope for Future
What I would wish for:
1. Money
2. Cell Phone
3. Laptop
Reaching Out For Resources
Where and how to find resources for essential living?
For the past 2 months I have been seeking help in order to put a roof over my head and I will share the results with you as soon as I have results. So far my name has only put on waiting lists.
I have also been seeking resources for mental health and group therapy to combat my depression and anxiety. I don't have insurance or the $$$ to spend on receiving professional help. Truth is, it was a big step for me to admit that I couldn't fix myself on my own. Hopefully, I will share the results with you. Again, my name has been put on waiting lists. I was told by one of those resources that the waiting list is at least 1 year maybe 2 before I would be helped.
United Way has many resources.
Salvation Army
Goodwill
Good Samaritan
Crisis Hotlines
Group Support
Volunteer
When you give you receive.