We live in a culture of abundance, but more isn’t always better. Learn how owning less can bring clarity, peace, and contentment.
Contentment: Is It Real?
«I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.» Philippians 4:12 NIV
Who is able to do this? Who can be content in all circumstances?
How To Live With Plenty?
Nowadays, we are more likely to have plenty: plenty of stuff, plenty of things to do, and plenty of decisions to make. Too much of everything. Have we learned to deal with all of this? Let’s look at some examples that we face on a regular basis.
We Have Too Many Clothes
When we bring something home—like a new jacket—do we actually have space for it? Are we in the habit of getting rid of something else (an old jacket, for example) in order to create space for the new one?
We Have Too Much Food
Have you wasted any food this week? Have you thrown away anything that spoiled or expired? When we bring groceries home from the store, how often do we buy duplicates because we can’t see everything we already have in our pantry? Oftentimes, we can’t fully utilize what we have because we simply have too much.
We Buy Too Much Stuff
When we order something from Amazon, how often do we forget what we ordered? Then, when the package arrives, we wonder, “What could it be?” Could it be that we didn’t really need that item in the first place, which is why we didn’t even remember it was coming? Another reason could be that we already own too much stuff, and our brains simply can’t keep track of so much inventory.
The Reality Check
So perhaps we need to consider decluttering and letting some things go. It is not worth owning something if we can’t even remember that we have it or that we bought it.
Is it hard to choose what to wear in the morning? Too much stuff!
Is it hard to keep your house clean? Too much stuff!
Is it hard to find something that you know you own? Too much stuff!
Simplify Your Life
Simplifying and decluttering are the keys to all of these situations, and they really work. Start removing the excess from your home, and you will see how much easier these things can become. Cooking will get easier. Cleaning will get easier. Getting ready in the morning will get easier.
Decluttering is a real path to freedom and clarity in this age of overconsumption and excess.
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