In this modernized and complex world we live in, it is getting harder and harder for people to live simply. Perhaps, it may be because of choice. We just do not want to live a simpler lifestyle because we enjoy the modern gadgets that we have. For others, it is just hard to give up their lifestyle. The way they live. The way they were accustomed to live. Or perhaps, it is because they just can't, although they want to.
When I was still a kid, some thirty something years ago, I wanted to live in a hut. We didn't have a big house where I was growing up, but I just didn't like the responsibilities of keeping it. Though we have maids who helped us around the house doing household chores, I do not want to order them to do big stuff like gardening. I love plants and taking care of them especially when I start harvesting fruits and veggies. Seeing blossoming flowers around the house and smelling them outside during summer time. Ahhhh.....what a relaxing sight. With this beautiful sight comes the responsibilities of weeding out the grass, mowing the lawn, watering the plants, fertilizing and arranging or repotting them if needed . Those things account a lot of time during my free hours and weekends which I do not really like to do because I would rather enjoy them , and not do so much work.
Fast forward to this year, I am now living in a boat and not in a hut. The difference is that the other one is stable because it is on the land, while the other one moves.
So how should people live simply?
1. Organize your stuff in the house. Although we still have a lot of things in the house, we only have the basic things in the boat. I couldn't have done that if I didn't start organizing my stuff in the house before we moved out. The things that were used often like clothing and the things that are really needed (like food) are the ones that went to the boat. So what are the things that you use on a daily basis? Keep them within your reach, and put away the stuff that you do not regularly use in the garage. If you'll use any of the stuff in the future, one of the things or a few of them that you have put away, put it with the stuff that you regularly use. Now, you know what are the things that you really use and not use. Those things that you do not use can stay in the garage or be given away.
If you still having a hard time organizing, do not hesitate to ask for help if you need it. Friends and families may want to volunteer if you will only ask them. If you are ashamed to do so, or want someone who doesn't know you personally, you can go online and seek the help you want.
2. Declutter. Throw the things that are not needed and give away the things that can still be used by other people. How do you know whether you will still need them or not? If you haven't used them for the past two years, you don't need them. You can pass them on to others or give them to charity. You will have a good feeling knowing that you have helped someone by giving. However, if you want to make money, have a garage or a yard sale.
3. Don't hang on to things. Let go. Sometimes, this is hard to do especially if a particular thing has sentimental value. I learned about letting my sentiments go with my things when my mother threw out the things that I've been keeping since I was in pre-school. Should I get angry at my mom and hold on to it? Are my things more important than my mom? A friend of mine once shared with me that during a big storm, most of her valuable things got rained out. There was a big flood that came in a lot of areas, and her area was one of those. Her house got flooded inside. After the rain, she has to throw her things out because there were mud of piles that stucked on them. Sometimes, when a tragedy strikes, that's the time that we realize that even the valuable things that we hold on to don't last. We realize what is more important to us - our lives, friends, families and loved-ones.
4. Don't buy what you don't need. There is a big difference between need and want. Do you need another pair of shoes whereas you still have a pair of shoes that you're using? And there is another one in the closet that you haven't used yet. Oooopppss, is there another pair of different color of the same kind of shoes over there in your closet or somewhere in your house? Same thing goes with your purse, bags and clothings. So, do you think you still need to buy one? Men don't get off on this easily as I know a few men who have 62 pairs of pants in their closet which only 1/3 of them are used on a daily basis.
Living simply doesn't just end there. We should also declutter our mind with a lot of worries and everything negative and not true, of good value and immoral things that are there and give it all to the Lord. Think good about other people, about other things and about life. After all, we do not hold our future nor can we see it. It is all in the Lord's hands so we shouldn't worry.
Therefore, if we want to live a simplier life, we have to organize, declutter, let go and just buy what we need. Think happy and positive thoughts and be content with what you have.
