How I did it: I traveled for six months and lived out of a suitcase for those six months, so I became accustomed to having minimal items. When I returned home from the tour I was overwhelmed by the amount of crap in my storage shed....things I'd accumulated over many years and had been moving around for way too long.  So I began the process of sorting through, asking myself questions about how often I really used it, was I really going to finish that project, do I even talk to the person who gave that to me, have I ever worn that and am I really ever going to, do I need that paperwork, etc. 

I used to feel guilty about giving away things people had given to me, afraid they were going to come to my house and ask about the item, and I realized carting around a bunch of things that I don't use anymore because of guilt was ridiculous.

I have several yard sales, so I marde some money off of my things, and I had resolved prior to the yard sales that anything that I had sitting out at the yard sale that didn't sell was going to the mission afterwards.

So I packed the rest of the stuff in my car (a lot sold...which was awesome) and dropped it off at the mission...driving away feeling free.

The next time I stopped at my shed I'd forgotten that I'd gotten rid of all the stuff, and when I opened the door it looked so empty...which was a GREAT feeling. 

Now before I buy something I evaluate if I really need it, and often wait until the next time around, because sometimes the want for something passes.

And with clothes, I got rid of all the clothes that I didn't feel great in...because why wear something that causes me to feel insecure about anything.  And in getting rid of all those clothes, I was able to add new clothes that I love to my wardrobe...as a reward.

Simplicity is so great.

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Nov 02, 2010, 04:19PM PDT | 2 comments | 8 cheers