It is almost sacrilege to bring up purging belongings at this time of the year, when so many of us are accumulating them. Almost.
However, there appears to be a growing trend across the globe to embrace simplification. Popularized by organizing consultant and author Marie Kondo, many are embracing the idea of releasing items in our lives that no longer “spark joy.”
Others following the path of minimalism tout the virtues of owning only one of anything. Could the peace and joy on holiday greeting cards be found, in part, by simplifying?
Many of us know the thrill of opening a gift or enjoying something we just gifted ourselves, but a growing number of us are seeing excessive accumulation as a burden. Everything that comes into our lives occupies mental and physical space. The more things we have, the more we need to maintain, repair, store and possibly even insure.
People who simplify do not view stuff as inherently bad. Instead, they claim they are freeing themselves to enjoy what they already have even more.
Simplifying is about more than decluttering. Minimalists report enjoying more mental clarity because many distractions are removed from their minds and visual field. Saving money is often a great side benefit of living with less, too, and this allows us to buy better quality items that do not break as easily.
Another unexpected joy is found in relieving ourselves from the irony of paying for long-term storage of items we rarely use or even remember owning.
Curious about downsizing a little over the holidays? Expert minimalists suggest placing a box in every room of the house, and then placing rarely used objects from that room in the box. Wait six months or so and whatever you have not yet used in the box, donate or give it away.
Consider gifting experiences rather than possessions to loved ones over the holidays. You will be gifting them much more than just a memory; you could be freeing them from some of the chains that bind.
Let’s Talk Trash is Powell River Regional District’s waste-management education program.
