I heard a very interesting piece on NPR recently about the notion of Lent, advocating that -rather than giving up chocolate or the like - that we give up for the inconsequential and meaningless in order to focus on things of real importance.
For a number of reason I find myself applying this notion to my own life,
It is less about "spring cleaning" and more about reflecting on that which I surruound myself with, and reconnecting to those things that truely resonate with me, and those people people who reflect and support my core values. Finding what resonates with me and letting the rest fall away. Because the problem with clutter isnt is not so much that it covers the good stuff, but it interfiers with one's connection to the good stuff, and thus our connection with ourselves.
I have been looking into several Co-Housing opportunities, a couple of which would offer far less personal space than I currently have. Although the one that would reduce The Boy and I to sharing one room is doubtless impractical, in looking at the space I am using, and how I am using it, I see that I could do with far less space and stuff. Like so many Americans, I am a bit of a pack-rat, and much of the stuff filling my current space is not truely meaningful to me. I am becoming aware of the extent to which clutter (whether pysical, mental, psychological or metiphorical) impeds our ability to enjoy the precious things we have, and blocks the arrival of truely meaningful things (be they material objects, people or ideas). The treasures get burried, and new things we might treasure have no place to land, literally or figuritivly.
Not sure I will ever qualify as a minimalist, and that may not be te point, but I believe there is value in weeding out the superfulous and unnessisary, and tending the roots of what really matters.
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2 comments:
Have you ever considered taking in a boarder? I took in a college kid once when I was between marriages because I needed the money & had the space. The hardest part was sharing a kitchen with someone whose ideas about food were so different from mine (while he did make almost everything from scratch, he was a refined sugar & white flour junkie, which my kids adored!) When it was time for him to move on, we parted on good terms, even in spite of our differences. Overall, it was a good experience for all of us!
I have considered this, and under other circumstances I might pursue it. But the Boy and I are already using both of the wee little bedrooms in this house, and neither the attic nor the basement offers the headroom for living quarters. This sweet little house wasn't big enough for a couple, let alone platonic roommates,
I am excited about all the benefits sharing housing with others will bring, but this is not the house.
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