One Box
I've been fixated these last few weeks on the concept of minimalizing and downsizing. I haven't gone off the rails just yet; packing up and donating everything we own, listing furniture on Craig's List, or buying a new tiny home kit. However, I did walk through a new duplex being built, looked at an older existing one, and packed up one box - just giving it a test drive.
I love the home we live in; with it's water view, gas fireplace and open concept. Two of my three kids still live at home and I am in no hurry for them (or all their stuff) to leave the nest. Sorting through the closets and storage spaces, deciding what would be essential in less than half the home we have now sounds like a big undertaking. Lord knows, moving, in and of itself, is a heck of a lot of work. Staying put would be easiest, right?
Staying also means yard work that is time consuming and a lot of house to keep clean. Chores are the last thing I chose to spend my time on these days, causing the occasional twinge of guilt over clutter, dust bunnies, and questionably clean toilets. The furniture all suddenly seems too big and there is too much of it. My teenagers' rooms are just far enough away that I have to text them when I want them because my mom voice isn't loud enough. The collection of craft supplies, paperwork, holiday decorations, etc. feels like extra weight. Even the daily influx of mail to be dealt with gets on my nerves.
Just to be clear, in no way am I a hoarder. I'm actually very much a clean sweep kind of girl. Several trips to Goodwill happen every year. By most people's standards, my home is tidy, well organized and not overly decorated. We're not talking about a situation where I'm paralyzed by junk accumulation here. It kind of feels like living paycheck to paycheck...about once a week I have to restore order, but by the end of the week the controlled chaos is back at the surface. The cycle repeats every darn week and I'm so over it.
I'm craving an environment that is simpler, exudes peace, and isn't such a time and energy suck. A home that is right for this season of my life; a place that lets me breath and focus, nurtures my soul, feels streamlined, and only contains the necessary. Somewhere I can relax without feeling the need to reign anything in, where my hours and effort are spent less on management and more on enjoyment.
It just might be time to make a move. I'm feeling like the gain would be worth the work. It won't be the charming cottage on a beach somewhere that has my name on it - I'll make that dream a reality eventually. For now, I think I'll find out when that new duplex will be finished and start the task of ruthlessly sorting the stuff...one box at a time.