How Much is TOO Much?

Lately, I have heard myself tell both of my children on several occasions a wonderful measure of stuff. "You may have as much stuff as you can take care of." What does that mean exactly? Well, it means that you have to be able keep up with it, put it away, keep it in good condtion, etc.

To keep up with it - you have to have a place where it belongs. Many a wiser woman than I have famously said "Everything has a place . . ." Your stuff has to have a place so that you know where it is when you want it and where to put it when you don't.

This means that your stuff has to fit in your space. It means that my stuff has to fit in my space. Not in a precarious, cluttered, overstuffed jumble - But in a manner that makes it easy to find. Nice to look for and at when I find it.

An old sage (my Dad) once asked "When is she going to learn that you can't fit 20 gallons of Sh** in a 10 gallon bucket?" Perhaps I have realized something even more profound, a 10 gallon bucket will only hold 8 gallons without it spilling out all over you.

Today, I start avoiding the inevitable drips from the 10 gallon bucket.

Holly

Living Large with Less - The Adventure Begins!

Well, here I go. After thinking about it for over a year (sporadically), I have decided to embark on the less is more life envisioned by the 100 Thing Challenge. This is a challenge that I came across when I was searching for yet more strategies for organizing stuff. Those of you who know me - know that I have struggled with TOO MUCH for a very long time.

I, like many other over consumers, have multiple copies of the same books. Ironically, most of my duplicates fall in the simplify, organize, and clean house categories. I think these books may be some of the first "things" I get rid of in this process. I have read more self help guides to organization, visited more websites, and failed more often than is reasonable.

But - I have decided that only I have the answers to this problem for me and my family. For me overabundance has led to stress, chaos, mess and unhappiness.

What I want: serenity, calm, clean and happy.

I am not trying to do the 100 Thing Challenge! I repeat - I am not trying to live with only 100 things; but, it has inspired me to create an inspired challenge for my family. It has inspired me to look at things with new eyes - eyes that focus critically on needs and usage, rather than emotions and attachments.

The details and plan are to follow. I hope you will support and encourage me on my journey. I hope you might laugh. I hope I might inspire you to live a little lighter and smile a little brighter.

Holly