Mark your calendars!  This Saturday, March 28th at 8:30pm local time is Earth Hour.  Will you join us?  

…….

Simply Stunning.

Over the past several months, my heart has been breaking.  As I was driving along the beautiful roads of Oregon, I witnessed a massive evergreen tree falling from the sky.  As it crashed to the ground, its pristine, thick needles crumbled into pieces.  Something that was so bold and breath-taking; gone in a matter of seconds.  As I studied the scene, I realized that a massive chain saw had been brutally hacking at its thick trunk.  When the tree and dust cleared, what was left behind made my stomach turn in circles.  A gaudy, over-sized sign:

“STORAGE – COMING SOON!  Reserve your space today!”

Your space.  Who’s space?  Truthfully, it made me sick.  Was this necessary?  Another storage unit?  Over the past few weeks I’ve noticed these things going up faster than we blink our eyes.

As much as I’ve tried to forget the scene, the image of the tree falling has stayed with me.  As I reflect a bit on this happening, I start to wonder why.  Who are we to do this to nature?  What kind of “stuff” qualifies for this type of destruction?  Is it a valuable use of space or just another way for us to mark our territory?

Now, I understand that some storage units are necessary.  Moving, living overseas, family crisis, and death of a loved one all constitute use of extra space.  Yet, in our current situation of economic decline, why are storage units rising faster than the sun?  My best guess is that people are stuck.  And when they are stuck, unable to move to larger living, the reality sinks in.  Where do we put all this stuff?  How can we survive with so little space?  I wonder if the inventor of storage units ever rented one of his own?

So, take a moment to think about this.  In no way do I mean to offend or judge.  Yet, doesn’t it seem silly?  The majority of people that I worked with in organizing openly admitted that they had no idea what was in their storage unit.  And yet, they continued to pay the inflated price each and every month without question.  Really?

Reconnect to Nature.

The thing is, when we rent a storage unit, we endorse it.  And when we pay the monthly bill for someone else to store our stuff, we vote with our money, recognizing them for offering a “worthy” service.  These places would not be in business if it weren’t for our over consumptive society.  Most of the time, the stuff that is stored is just that.  Stuff.  It sits, collecting dust.  Slowly purged, but mostly, added to.  Forgotten with time.  Sometimes, the stuff even gets moved to a larger unit because the smaller one started to burst at the seams!

As I continue to study simplicity, I realize that consciousness is part of the process.  Noticing, seeing, and communicating the things that just don’t feel right inside.  For me, this is one of them.  If this has hit a sore point for you or ruffled some feathers, maybe it’s time to reconsider how you look at the things around your life.  Re-evaluate the layers behind the reasoning.  Why is it important that you keep the stuff?  How will you stop bringing the stuff into your life and home?  If extra space is truly necessary at this point in your life, can you work something out with a friend or family member?  Might they have room for you to store your things, temporary?  Personally, I would much rather give my money to a loved one than encourage a business I don’t support.  Taking time to shed this from your life will bring freedom, as well as money saved.

How will you let go of the excess in your life?  If you currently rent a storage unit, how and when can you hand back the keys?

Paper, paper, paper!  How many of you feel buried or overwhelmed by the task of keeping up with the piles of paper?  As we approach the holiday season, I’d like to offer some organizing tips and a bit of Paper 101.  With a little know how, the stress involved with understanding and conquering household paper can decrease dramatically.

So, where do you begin?  First, you need to recognize your habits.  Do you pick up the mail, walk in the house, carry it to the counter, and set it down on the pile from yesterday?  I know that some families have stacks and stacks of unopened mail, cluttering their eating and kitchen areas.  It’s a common place for paper to fall when decisions are not made on a regular basis.  And, while mail is a large contributor to the clutter that lands in our home, paper can come from a variety of other places.  Become aware of these places and consciously make an effort to minimize the amount you allow into the home.

Types of Paper.

Beside recycling or trash, there are four different types of paper:  Action, Project, Memorabilia, and Reference.  If you make it a habit to sort through the mail as soon as you pick it up, you will dramatically cut down on your paper clutter.  About 70% of the mail coming into the home needs to fall straight into the recycling bin, trash, or shredder.  If you don’t own a shredder, I highly recommend investing in one for identity theft purposes.  I would also encourage you to set up a paper sorting system (inbox, recycling bin, shredder, and trash can) close to the area you initially tackle incoming paper.  Personally, I have an attractive basket that holds the paper I have decided to keep.  Each Sunday night, I carry the basket into our home office and sort each piece of paper into one of the four types.

Taming the papers on the kitchen counter!

TYPE ONE.  Most of the incoming papers require a quick ACTION.  To Pay, To Call, To Review, To Discuss, To Enter, To Reconcile, and To File are a few options.  Over the course of a few weeks, determine the actions you use most and then create a system to capture and house this type of paper.  Personally, I have an Action Center with four drawers labeled:  To Do, To Enter, To Review, To File.  They are positioned by priority, so the “To Do” items are to be handled earlier in the week, working down to the “To File” papers at the end of the week.  The discipline needed to maintain this system is heavy, so if you tend to view items as “out of sight out of mind”, an open drawer product will work best for you.  TIP:  Recognize that your paper can go through a journey.  The first action may be to call someone for advice.  Once you have an answer, the next step may be to enter this information into your computer.  After this is complete, that piece of paper may either be filed or thrown away.  By breaking it down into manageable steps, the daunting task of making decisions about what to do with your paper is much easier.

TYPE TWO. The second type of paper is called PROJECT paper.  This can be items that you are collecting over a longer period (months) and require large amounts of energy, research, and time.  Examples might be a room remodel, hobby, upcoming trips, events, etc.  Project papers can be organized into desktop files, wall bins, boxes, or binders.

TYPE THREE. Another type of paper is something called MEMORABILIA.  This is anything that sparks a memory or invites emotion into your home.  It might be a favorite art piece from one of your children, a special handmade card, concert ticket, quote, or certificate marking an important day or landmark.  This type of paper can be displayed openly, in a container, or a frame.  Personally, I have something that I call a WHY box.  It holds cards and handwritten notes from people that I love and meet.  On a rainy or dark day, my spirit is lifted when I pull these pieces out and remember all the people God has placed around my life.

TYPE FOUR. Type four papers, called REFERENCE can be divided into two categories:  Above and Below Ground.  Above ground papers are those that your refer to often.  Restaurant menus, contact information, sport schedules, school papers by child, calendars, appointments, etc.  These items are best stored in a binder.  The second category of reference paper is called Below Ground.  This is the material that should live “out of sight” in your filing cabinet.  Major categories might include Household, Medical, Financial, Professional, and Personal.  Underground reference paper is rarely touched, but it is important to have a system set up that allows you to retrieve information quickly and efficiently.  A filing cabinet or boxes work best.

By breaking paper down into smaller pieces and truly understanding what needs to happen, you minimize the piles of unknown paper in your home.  Don’t be afraid to make decisions!  If you have some catching up to do, start small.  Maybe one or two piles a day.  Retrain your mind and before you know it, you’ll be on your way to taming what some call, the paper tiger.  Good luck!

“I write down everything I want to remember.  That way, instead of spending a lot of time trying to remember what it is I wrote down, I spend the time looking for the paper I wrote it down on.”

~Beryl Pfizer

How have you tackled and controlled the paper in your home?  What works best for you?  I’d love to hear any tips or ideas not mentioned!

There is something about nature that just makes my spirit soar to incredible heights.  The sounds, the smells, and the sight of color and texture are enough to propel me back to my childhood days, when the little things made my heart pitter patter with joy. 

When was the last time you bathed in the outdoors?  And, I don’t mean literally.    When was the last time you heard (really heard) a bird sing?  Or, watched a squirrel scamper on the ground, looking for his next meal?  When was the last time you simply sat and observed the trees and their branches swaying gently and passionately in the wind?  Or, gazed up at a star lit night, remembering just how spectacular the universe really is? 

Like a child, I find that the facets of nature are enough to reignite my passion and gumption for life.  It’s almost as if the magic and colors of our imagination vividly twirl and twist luminously through the air.  Choosing to walk away from man-made beauty, to consciously immerse myself in God’s beauty is a step I consistently try to take on a daily basis.  After all, our lives are filled with chaos, noise, and distraction.  Nature offers a predictable remedy to our often frittered and routine days.

“Earth’s crammed with heaven,

And every common bush afire with God;

And only he who sees takes off his shoes;

The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries.”

 

~Elizabeth Barrett Browning on Autumn

Honestly, I have always enjoyed and respected the outdoors and its variety of aliveness.  As I seek to live with more simplicity, I find that it plays a key role in helping me to realign and live more fully.  Truthfully, it’s a key ingredient to this life!  It makes me incredibly sad that so many people have lost their ability to see its magnificent power and potential to heal.  So much of the natural world is being lost to human selfishness and desires for more.  Just being aware of this destruction is a place to start.    

So, get out there!  Experiencing, noticing, and appreciating the true beauty of life outdoors is like riding a bicycle.  Once you master the skill, you never forget.  Have fun reclaiming yourself in its reflection!

“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature.” 

~Anne Frank

How will you make time to consciously step into nature today?

How much of life do we exchange for each other? 

As I become more aware of the simplicity that is sprinkled throughout our lives, I’m beginning to see patterns and themes each week.  I try to be aware of similar happenings and thoughts, which is how I often piece together my writing topics.

Lately, I’ve been feeling extremely overwhelmed and encouraged by the amazing community of friends around me.  This past weekend, I had the opportunity to spend a night with seven amazing women at Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood.   One of our dear friends, Anna, brought us together to help celebrate her six year wedding anniversary and to talk about the love that we’ve experienced in our own lives.  How memorable!

While I was reminded about the importance of friendships and love, I was also encouraged by the sharing and exchanges that took place.  Anna had a wonderful idea of turning the “white elephant” game into an eco-friendly gift giving event.  She has recently begun taking steps to simplify her home and the materials in her life, and as a result, found several items that she wanted to share with us.  So, we each went around the circle and picked a bag from the table.  We were given the chance to open it and decide if it was something we liked or needed.  It was also important that Anna let us know that it was perfectly fine if we saw nothing we wanted to bring home.  I ended up with a beautiful bright green candle dish, which found a home in one of our bathrooms that was thirsty for color.  And the best part; it was free!

Another excellent idea that Anna included in her invitation was a clothes exchange.  Often referred to as a “Naked Ladies Party” , we were asked to bring any items that we no longer liked or fit into.  And, although I had recently been part of a summer garage sale, I was surprised to find myself easily taking things from my closet and tossing them into the giveaway bag.  After the exchange, I felt like I walked away with a brand new wardrobe!  One of the girls even works at Nike, so in a tiny way, I felt as if I won the lottery by finding several new workout pants and shirts.  Ladies, if you have never done this with your girlfriends, this is a must, annual event!  Clothes, shoes, meals, books, furniture, household items, music lessons, babysitting.  The options are vast!

In the world of exchange, another valuable option is trading of services.  As I look around, I see many talents and passions that people in our life encompass.  For instance, Heather, one of the sweet girls in our church community group, is an incredible hair stylist.  Recently, I asked if she would be open and willing to exchange a trim for an organizing session.  Honestly, I felt a bit nervous to pose such a question, but her quick response only helped encourage my newfound spirit of community exchange.  And, after conversations with her, I realize that so many of us are afraid to ask for the help that we need.  As a result of our talking, we ended up discovering another exchange!  A vacation townhome for babysitting!  Marvelous! 

While I understand that many people today do not have the time or energy to exchange talents, I do know that this type of giving and taking will cause a ripple effect of positive change and needs awareness.  Can you imagine a neighborhood of strangers coming together for this type of exchange?  Think of the support, understanding, and compassion that might come through such agreements.  Not to mention, money saved!

This type of mindset is eco-friendly and solicitous.  The communication needs to be open and authentic however, as to not take advantage of another person’s heart to give.  Honestly, I truthfully believe that God intended for us to live in this way.

“The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.”

~Henry David Thoreau          

How have you recently practiced the gift of exchange in your life?  What passions and talents might you offer to those around you?

Why do we collect so much stuff?  I mean, how much is really necessary?  I recently went through each closet, cabinet, and corner of our home clearing the clutter.  I love to purge! 

Whew! It's feels so good to let this all go!

I was talking with my parents the other day and they couldn’t believe that I had anything to get rid of.  They made a comment about our place always looking so neat and tidy.  And yes, I will gladly admit that I love to organize and create a place for everything.  But even I, someone who used to organize as a profession, can feel crushed by the weight of unwanted and unused items.  Over time, it just stacks up and decisions need to be made. 

Did you know that the average house size in America has doubled since the 1950’s?  Today, it’s completely ridiculous to think that an entire family could be comfortable with only one bathroom!  With more square footage comes more stuff.  And at some point, for many, the stuff begins to own the space, resulting in emotional and mental choas.  If we could drop an average American neighborhood into a cartoon scene, I would imagine that many of the homes (at least garages) would be bursting at the seams!  Can you just picture it? 

Our home should be an oasis from the outside world.  It should be warm and inviting.  Cozy and inspiring.  Our home should be a reflection of who we are and what’s most important to us.  It should be a space that we love coming back to and that rejuvenates us at the end of each day.  After all, home truly is one of the most important places in the world! 

So, when was the last time you walked through your space and evaluated each item?  Have you created a home that ignites and envelops your soul?  For me, living more simply has solidified the fact that our space matters and deeply reflects how we feel inside. 

Here are some important questions I ask while sorting through my stuff:

• Do I love it?
• Do I use it?  Is it functional?
• Does it make me happy?
• Can I replace it if I had to?
• If lost in a fire, would I know?  Would I remember it?

For some, a lot of stuff has sentimental value.  Maybe it was a gift or an item that holds special and emotional memories.  These are often the hardest things to make decisions on and let go of.  Then, there is the “what if” stuff.  What if I miss it?  What if I could use it next month, next year or you know, someday?  What if it cost me a lot money?  Any of this sound familiar?  If so, here’s some thoughts to consider:

• Start small, with a big plan.  Create a vision map for your home.  What does each room look like?  Feel like?  What is its purpose?  Once this is decided, only items that support this vision should live in that particular space.  I don’t care if you start with a drawer and work ten minutes.  Just start somewhere.
• If an item holds sentimental value, ask yourself if it is the item or the person/event.  Can you take pictures and create a memory photo album or scrapbook page?  Or, if you are just not sure about letting the item go, can you pack it in a box to be opened at a later date?  Often, once an item is out of sight, it falls out of mind.  If this is the case, you should have an easier time letting it go. 
• When you condider your space and the things that fill it, create a scenario in your mind.  Pretend you are moving out next month.  Or, if you’d like to get really serious, picture a fire encompassing your home.  Which possessions would you miss the most?  This exercise will help you decide which items truly add value to your life and space. 
• Stop buying more stuff!  Only bring items into your home that are needed and fulfill the purpose of your precious personal environment.

If you’re like me, you have stuff in your life that has fallen into the clutter category.  It’s the stuff that just doesn’t add value to you or your home.  Release it!  Really, it’s okay.

Letting go of stuff is never easy.  It takes time, discipline, and a lot of energy!  But, through small steps and persistence, I am confident that any one can make a house, a home.  And remember, less is always more.  It’s the perfect ingredient for a life desiring more simplicity. 

“The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.” 

~Hans Hofmann 

How have you cleared the clutter in your life this summer?