Less is More

I look around me at all the stuff I've collected through my many years and seriously wonder how it got this way. I see past hobbies; things I thought I had to have; gadgets to supposedly make my life easier, better, more efficient; things I paid too much for and, therefore, are unable to part with; items that hold memories, sure that if they're gone my memories will go with them.

It's not easy parting ways with my stuff, to live only with those things that I truly use with just a few sentimental items thrown in. But I've started the process and already I feel ten pounds lighter. Here are the questions I ask myself: Do I use the item on a regular basis? Does it make my life better?

Divide and conquer. I take on small projects with a goal to work through my stuff one room, one closet or one drawer at a time. I've been working on this project for a year and can truthfully say I haven't missed any of the stuff I've given away, donated or just disposed of. I'm left with the things that make my life better and things I actually use. I've even found homes for some of the sentimental things and my memories of them are still alive -- they just take up much less space.

You can do this. If you need encouragement along the way just remember, less is sometimes more.