Take a walk around your life periodically and try to remove what is taking up time and space that no longer serves you.

Over the years there have been books that have attempted to persuade the culture to simplify their lives. As consumerism has engulfed our lives, it appears that the adage “less is more” is becoming more of a dinosaur mentality. However, there is always the possibility of a resurgence and voila “Tiny Houses” have appeared and become a part of the Home and Garden TV station.
I must admit I was intrigued by the premise. I have lived in my home for over thirty five years and as I age I become more and more overwhelmed with the amount of stuff I have collected. My home is not huge but it does take diligence to have it look the way I want it too. Yes, I’m a perfectionist when it comes to my abode. My yard has become analogous to an arboretum. The irony is that it is a Zen garden that reflects simplicity but need a lot of work to look simple.
Many of my peers are feeling the pressure of having to be the concierge of their homes and we have talked over and over about downsizing. But, how do you go from spaciousness to hardly any space especially if you feel somewhat claustrophobic when you walk into your closet? The Tiny Houses have very limited space so that collecting “stuff” would be difficult, unless you camp outside and simply go into the house to visit your “stuff”. I am constantly amazed at the segments that show a family of four that has decided to live in a 350 foot space. The sleeping arrangements are usually a loft that is accessed by a ladder and there is barely any head room. I average at least two trips to the bathroom a night, so I would probably end up with several concussions. In addition I would have to get up and down the ladder. This could be catastrophic!
I realize this arrangement could work for some people but keep in mind that your habits follow you. A Tiny House can get stuffed too. However, can we begin to simplify our lives so that we do not feel overwhelmed? A lot of our lifestyles have become occluded with a myriad of tasks, time suckers, and busyness that is simply filling a void. Yes, life is more complex, gadgets are rampant, and we are surrounded by noise that clutters our mind more than our stuff.
Take a walk around your life periodically and try to remove what is taking up time and space that no longer serves you. Try to find a place that is fairly quiet, particularly in nature. Spend some time with individuals who are not contentious with whom you feel peaceful. Find humor whenever you can and move toward embracing absurdity. Seeing the absurd just might stop you from buying something you will eventually include in a yard sale.