{Spring 2014} House Update in Pictures

 

sell your CRAP pay your DEBT do what you LOVE

Spring Refreshing... Minimalist

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My living room :)

There has been something lurking on the edge of my mind about minimalism and getting rid of things that I couldn't put my finger on until recently.

I want to make a real effort to only purchase things that will last generations.

I realize that that is a huge statement and a huge feat to accomplish. Especially in this day and age where cheap quality items are cheaply priced and overly available.
But I see the advantages, having a well made and durable item that will last and serve you well. Investments that won't need to be replaced often, and less garbage going in the landfill.
So when something wears out or I am really sure I need it I am going to try to look up the best option to buy even if it ends up costing a little more up front.

I also want to make sure I'm sticking to the  "use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without" rule, especially as I've been spring refreshing! It's that time of year I suppose, I want everything to be finished in the house before summer and gardening season come. So closets, nooks, crannies and surfaces of all sorts have been under my scrutiny and I've decided to do another big purge!!
Woohoo!
I'm really excited about the big pile of stuff I have to get rid of AGAIN! And again slightly embarrassed to still have as much stuff as I do after 2 years of purging. Argh! (pictures will come!)
I am thinking about maybe going the community yardsale route this year at a larger venue in our city so I can just make a day of it and have lots of traffic and donate the rest like I always do.

As I'm going about my spring refreshing I am shuffling around my dressers, bookshelfs etc to re-organize the systems that aren't serving me as efficiently as they should be. Because really, it doesn't make sense to purchase things to organize your stuff when you're trying to get rid of as much as possible! So instead of buying more things I just take a look around the house and storage areas and see if there's anything I can move or re-purpose to do the job I want and in almost every case I find a perfect match. If it doesn't quite fit the things you are wanting to fit you could always make it a mini-challenge and only keep the items that fit! And it's kind of like shopping in your basement ;)

Another option I've been weighing is making your own organizational items, this is a great way to use up some of your recycling items! You can find awesome diy tutorials for pretty much everything. Like woven newspaper containers, diy mailbox shelves, etc. If you do a little googling you can pretty near always find a way to use what you have to make something new or to even use it in a new way. And it makes you feel so good to find creative ways to use things! Also feel free to check out my pinterest board for TONS of organizing inspiration.

So maybe I'm some sort of hybrid voluntary simplicity/minimalist :) But I am having so much fun on my minimalist journey!

Back to Minimalism {Selflessness}

 

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It seems that I have in fact not checked off this step, does one ever? I feel like I'm back in the place where I just have soo much unused stuff that has to go! So I've dropped off literally two van fulls of stuff thrown out a bunch of black garbage bags and I just cannot believe the amount of stuffing in our little house! Granted most of it is in the unfinished basement, but I've still been able to find some things in our living area to get rid of too.

I don't know if it's that we're going to Mexico right away to build a house for a family(that will be another post!), or that we need to get stuff away from the walls in the basement to possibly put up some insulated walls...but regardless, stuff needs to go. I've put up a lot online to sell locally and made just over $350 already in the past 2 weeks so that's nice, but the emotional trauma and stress it puts me through is not nice. My goal was $250 so I kind of feel free to just dump everything at a second hand store now! I mean it is 2 weeks before Christmas, who needs the extra stress right?! Oh well, at least I'm not out Christmas shopping ;)


Ok, so lots going on but I really want to share today about God and Minimalism. Because I believe that they are connected and one point where faith really hits the road. I feel like God is refining the ME out of me and bringing me to a place of selflessness or self forgetfulness.

So here is my conversation with God this morning about 2 things that are really on my heart, Minimalism and Selflessness. I answered first because I apparently thought I was pretty smart, but His answer beats mine! Big surprise right!?

I kept my answer there for you too so that you could see the difference, it was very eye opening for me.

How are Minimalism and Selflessness connected?

 

Olivia: When you aren't thinking about yourself and your stuff you have more time to think about others and spend time on others if you choose to. You need to make it a lifestyle change, the end goal isn't having no stuff it's not being attached to stuff so that you are free to live your life the way you want to. Do not store treasures up on earth that the moth and fire can destroy, instead store up your treasures in heaven. 

God: I would say minimalism is connected to selflessness in every way. The giving of your things, the constant reaching out to others. Living your life on purpose the way it was meant to be lived. There is so much joy and life in that. It is a courageous thing to do. Go leave your father and mother; go leave your piano. You do as I have called you to do and there is so much strength in that. I do not wish for you to store up your treasures here on earth, I want you to store your treasures in heaven with me. I have so much in store for you and this is only one step on your journey. Use it as a tool to find me. Change your thought process to only want the simple, to take joy in the everyday and you will want for nothing. 

**When I say that "God said this" typically for me that means I hear it in my heart. Everyone hears God in different ways**

Babies Don't Keep

A Prayer

Take Hold of Joy

 

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Intentional living

It's not always simple, but it's always full.

Full of life, full of laughter. Full of joy. Your joy is my strength.

You lack nothing; and want for nothing. Because you've made it so. 

Your stuff doesn't own you, you own your stuff (unless you've gotten rid of it that is) 

It takes a deep breath, right in the midst of life, and looks around. 

Looks around at all the messiness of life, the pain, the heartache, the sunshine, the rainbows;

sees it for what it is, and finds joy in it. 

We are all given the same 24 hours, it's what you do with them that matters.

Learn to take hold of joy in the midst of the sorrow and no sorrow will overtake you.