become less materialistic

i want to sell or donate or toss or recycle a lot of my shit. i have a lot of shit that i don’t need. things that i don’t need to have around. shit that just clutters my life. i need to de-clutter.

Recently my brother told me I was way to materialistic, and that hurt me. Maybe I am? The people who know me best are the people who see me right? Well, I don’t know how to not be materialistic…I don’t know if i WANT to be nonmaterialistic. I would like to cut it down though…so :) There…that’s my goal of the week

Recently I’ve been “downsizing” what I need. I don’t sleep in a bed, I don’t use TV, and recently I’ve chosen to not own furiniture. I don’t plan on buying coutches and the like, and right now I’m sitting on the floor with my computer typing this.

This is the question: how materialistic am I?

There is no wealth but life. John Ruskin

This goal is quite a hefty task to undertake, but little by little the benefits of living simply are coming my way. My husband and I have more money in our savings, less clutter in our house, and have had the time to learn and take part in many new hobbies.

During my quest for a simpler life, I had the opportunity to come across the book “Affluenza” and was really startled to see just how damaging wanting, collecting, and using more than a person really needs can be. This book really opened my eyes to what is important in life and has caused me to make many changes to my way of thinking and way of life. I have become much more intune with the wonderful offerings of nature all around me and also more involved in my community. I found out about many wonderful free of charge programs that the local parks & rec program offers and also many local book clubs, art classes, and community groups that have enriched my life in so many ways. Also, I have rediscovered the importance of being active in volunteer work and civic activity. Being a “good citizen” is not only about voting and jury duty, but being there to help those people around you who may need assistance, attending school board meetings, being active in local politics, and keeping your community’s history preserved.

Already my journey into a less materilistic life has offered me so very much and I truly look forward to the future and what else I shall be blessed to learn and rediscover.