The idea of minimalism is growing. More people are getting rid of their stuff so they can live a simpler life. They want to be able to focus their time and attention on what makes them happy. They have come to realize that their stuff is like ‘inventory’ that they need to manage and take care of. It’s too much, and it’s overwhelming and stressful.
I have been following a few folks on social media about becoming a minimalist during this last year. They have been inspiring me to look at my things differently. Do I really need it all and is it keeping me from pursuing what really matters? How do I feel when I look at the things that need my time and attention?
Many unused things in my house are sitting there, not serving a purpose anymore. They have been cluttering up my mind and distracting me from building (re-building lately) my business. So I took advantage of my time home to focus on the physical things in my home. I have been decluttering for about 6 months now, going through every drawer, closet, bookshelf, and table surface. I would not consider myself a minimalist, but the process has been transforming in such a positive way. I plan on continuing to focus on more joy and ease and less stuff now that I have caught the bug.
It was difficult for me to understand this before I did it. I had to trust the process and rely on what I heard from other’s experiences. Going through my stuff hasn’t been easy, some decisions are really difficult! Do I still need this? Does it have a memory attached to it? Am I actually using it? What will I do if I find I need it after it’s gone?
One simple but brilliant idea to store my Tupperware with the lids on has helped me to throw out more than half of my stash. We are a family of 5 at my house. My kid's age range is 14-20 years, so you can imagine how concerned I was that there wouldn’t be enough to use when I needed it. But having this in place for 2 months now, I love it. If I run out, then most likely, I have too many leftovers in the fridge anyway! And not to mention how easy it is to quickly grab the set that I need and not having to search for the right cover. Easy feels so good!
This is how my body has felt from practicing Mentastics, and from receiving and giving Trager sessions. A journey of decluttering my mind through the focus on my body ‘house’. I feel more spacious in my joints, more clear-minded, grounded, and I have the capacity for more joy and ease. When I take the time to notice what is there, what “stuff” is in my way of moving forward, and allowing it to melt away. I find something better. I find peace.
This is another example of how Milton Trager was ahead of his time by over a half-century. People are ready, they want this kind of peace and they need this. I am so grateful to have found this way of living, Trager, and now minimalist ideas! It has felt so good to really clean out, get rid of, and feel the spaciousness of less. Enjoy your spring decluttering.
Be well,
Linda MacConnell, USTA President