I don't want to play anymore. Do you ever feel like that? Yesterday, while I was sorting a laundry basket of clothes into keep, toss and donate piles I was overcome with a feeling of wanting to throw in the towel (that would be the metaphorical towel, not an actual towel because my linen closet has already been stripped and I don't have an extra towel to throw). I am figuring out that simplifying my life is not going to have an end. It is an ongoing process and it really needs to be a mindset more than a series of actions. I would also like to point out that at the moment I blame this on having teenagers, so I suppose it is possible that one day, when I get to live by myself, I will not have to constantly think in terms of keep, toss or donate, but for now it is something of a mantra. Every time I pick something up I think about the item and ask myself why I have it and if I really need it. It gets exhausting.
The house has come a long ways, but at the moment all I see is MORE STUFF TO DO! And you know what I really wanted to do yesterday? Go shopping. That's right. I wanted to spend money and buy things that come in shiny bags or shiny packages. I wanted to see tags hanging off things and walk around a mall carrying my prizes. I wanted to sit down for lunch in a restaurant by myself, with a good book and a drink. I got all hot and sweaty just thinking about it so I had a cold shower to snap myself out of it. When I went to get myself a towel, I took one long look at my newly organized and seriously stripped out linen closet and was reminded why I am doing this.
I know exactly how you feel - some days I feel like I've really made progress and have "mastered" living simply, and other days I feel like I've hardly begun. It truly is a journey and we always have one more step to take.
ReplyDeleteI think it's safe to say that I am not going to "master" simple living anytime soon! Thank goodness for the good days. :)
DeleteDon't give up! Your readers are here to cheerlead you onward.
ReplyDeleteI was just reading how every important change involves, well,
Hard Work. And in the Simplifying Journey this is a process, as we
know. Some days I don't do very well, but overall, I remind myself
that it just takes a SMALL step in the right direction. This is better
than standing still. And better still than going backwards
Aw, thank you. You are very right - small steps in the right direction are much better than standing still. Now, I'm going to walk towards the cupboard under my sink and do something about it.
DeleteJust discovered your blog today, good stuff. I think simplifying is always going to be a work in progress, but the steps needed get smaller and smaller. Remember, this is a marathon not a spring and try to celebrate your progress rather than focusing on what's left. You can do it!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind and encouraging words! It's great to have you checking in on the Stripper Movement. And you're right about focussing on the stuff that's done - when I need a pick me up, I just need to open my front storage door and it makes me SMILE!
DeleteDiane