It is so easy to fall into the habit of needing more. We feel as if there isn’t enough and continue accumulating things without giving thought to what we really need. When I retired from practicing law, I looked at my closet and gave away or donated so many clothes – suits, dresses, shoes even jewelry. It gave me a lot of pleasure to know that people were going to be able to get use out of these items. Then later when my husband and I moved to a new home we downsized and donated or gave away so much – furniture, kitchen items, appliances, linens. My philosophy was if I hadn’t used it or worn it in the past two years, I didn’t need it. Then I questioned why I bought it to begin with!
It made me reflect on why the need to accumulate so much from the beginning. There are so many who are making do with far less “stuff” and the stuff that they are lacking is far more important than another pair of shoes or the newest smart television. Our homes should be filled with the things that fill our hearts. People we love. Shared meals with family and friends. Quiet moments of reflection. Wonderful moments of celebration and fun. I am not denying the fact that we do and will buy things that we need and some that we don’t but we need to realize that we don’t need to balance need with want – need should outweigh want so that we keep our wants for those material things in check. Get to a place of having enough and I think we will find ourselves filling our hearts and those of others with things that really matter.
Susan Lipman says
I can so relate to this. I tell people all the time, that having less stuff is so freeing. Giving the excess we accumulate over time to those who might need it more than me is extremely rewarding. I continue to sort, organize & purge…..experiences are what’s rewarding not collecting more things! Love you & your wisdom!