The Death and Rebirth of Minimalism

My life may just be the death of minimalism and simple living. I love both these ideas. I hold them close to my heart and take them out to polish and croon over whenever I have a free moment to think. The concept of letting go of possessions, trimming down, needing less, buying less, and working less is almost my mecca I suppose. The environmental benefits that come with this style of living make it even more attractive, as well as having the time to pursue more creative and enjoyable aspects of my life. But lets be honest, I have a lion's share of stuff. And the hard part is most of it isn't really mine! I have piles of dog stuff, mountains of horse things, even the baby has her own room for all the belongings she has acquired at the tender age of 10 weeks. She doesn't sleep in that room, she sleeps with us, but we still need that room for her things. And it is overwhelming to think about the other items that fill my life. We have closets full of climbing gear, backpacking gear, kayaking gear, snowboarding gear, and miscellaneous gear for who knows what. Heirlooms and decorative items fill shelves, cupboards, and top dressers. This list could go on endlessly. And it is very hard to think of getting rid of any of it. Some of it I cannot get rid of anyway. Babies and animals require a certain amount of things to make sure they are cared for properly. But letting go of the extraneous stuff seems just as hard. My unacknowledged pack rat is coming to the forefront and fighting tooth and nail for every knickknack and item. So I have looked at my life and thought that I cannot simplify or live a minimalist life and that has depressed me. Until now. Because lately I have been thinking about it a different way. I have been trying to practice going with the flow instead of always swimming upstream. This is something that both Taoism and Buddhism teach, yet it it is so hard to put into practice. I have started realizing that my life is beautiful as it is right now. I don't have to get rid of everything and live a monastic life. I can only do what I can I do. The value in the minimalist way of thinking is in the fact that anyone can simplify to make their life better. I do not have to get rid of everything and have only one set of clothes for myself or the baby. I can love and enjoy my horses even though they are not exactly the minimalist ideal. But I also can still refuse to buy things I don't really need and throw those things away that really are not adding anything to my life. And it will still be liberating and it will still benefit my life. I am going to start with my books. I have more books than anyone needs, so I am going to weed out those that don't mean anything to me and that I haven't read in years. And from there I will see where it takes me, maybe to my closet or to some of those knickknacks. It is a rebirth of minimalism for me, one that doesn't make me feel guilty about what I can't do, but freed by what I can. I challenge you to look at your life this week and find one area that you can simplify and do it! It will make you feel better, it really will!