Simplicity. It is a lovely ancient spiritual tradition that has seen a recent resurgence in popularity.
As we attempt to make sense of our erratic economy and the accompanying financial anxiety, decreased home values and investment portfolios, it's natural to leap to a less risky lifestyle extreme — stop spending, scale back, reside lean, which is evidenced in the low consumer confidence that exists in the economy.
After all, People drive the engine of our economy of home sales, car sales, appliances, etc. If you have read any of my previous posts on this subject of simplfication, you're most likely intrigued by the idea of simplifying. Actually, you might have even given up many material issues and actively reside a very easy existence. People who have adopted this level of simplicity, especially in the land of consumerism, are incredibly inspiring and fascinating.
But let’s be real right here. In spite of embracing the concept of simplicity, most Americans truly adore their stuff, and they love acquiring more things. Like our attitudes about a healthy diet, our feelings about material issues are complicated. We know what’s great for us, but we just do not wish to give up what we like. Our stuff makes us truly feel great and the advertsing agencies do a great job convincing us that we are defined by our stuff.
Is it feasible to live a easy life and nonetheless love stuff?
Residing merely and detaching from materials things will make you happier. There is real research and lots of anecdotal evidence to support the truth of this.
But is it feasible that some material issues can add to our happiness, sense of contentment and joy in life?
If so, how do you go about deciding what’s good stuff and what’s bad for our well being? Maybe the deciding factor is motivation. Do the things that you simply personal or wish to buy help your ego, or do they enliven your soul?
Some materials issues can afford you a sense of warmth, coziness, beauty, fond memories, or comfort. There are other things that provide only that fleeting rush of acquisition. If you infuse mindfulness into your ideas and actions around material issues, you're able to create a gentle stability between loving things and living merely.
Right here are some thoughts that may be helpful, as I use these to make daily decission on my life and home.
1. Look around your house now. Walk from space to space. Do you see issues that you by no means use and do not really care about? Why not give them away or sell them? Clear physical and psychic space by removing the “dead wood” in your environment. Someone else might really require these things.
2. Examine why you are hanging on to something. Is it really useful or meaningful, or does it feed your ego in some way? Are you currently currently holding on to it just to impress other people or to make yourself truly feel much better or much more important?
3. Study how you invest your time. Do you have things you own for hobbies that you simply never pursue? Do you have a kitchen full of gadgets but you rarely cook? In the event you truly believe you'll come back to a pastime or activity, box things up and put them out of sight until you do. Be realistic about how much time you have to use your extraneous things.
4. Are you in a career that is thing-focused? Decorators, car dealers, retailers and other people involved in creating, buying, selling and advertising merchandise, can have a tough time detaching from material issues because they are usually surrounded by the newest and greatest. There's magnificence and art in many things, but think about this: you do not have to own them all to appreciate them. I suggest you not buy every thing you like or want — just savor it for the moment in the store and move on.
5. Consider experiences instead of issues. On the whole, experiential purchases provide far much more pleasure than materials purchases. The memory of experiences improves with time, but material purchases are harder to consider abstractly. Experiences also encourage social relationships which provide long-lasting happiness. If you are itching to spend, spend on a fantastic experience with someone you appreciate.
6. When you think about your things or want to purchase some thing new, think about these parameters:
- It stirs your soul to be creative.
- It supports a passion or pastime.
- It assists bring family and friends together in a creative, significant way.
- It educates and enlightens.
- It makes life profoundly easier so that you can pursue much more meaningful issues.
- It helps someone who is sick or incapacitated.
- It is helpful and necessary for day-to-day existence.
- It’s part of a meaningful tradition or a reminder of a special event.
7. You will know you are purchasing mindlessly in the event you:
- Buy on a whim.
- Buy to impress others.
- Buy merely because you feel you deserve it.
- Buy when you can’t afford it.
- Buy just to update some thing that nonetheless works or looks fine.
- Buy because someone else has it and you want it too.
- Buy because the advertisement seduced you.
- Buy simply because you are bored.
- It’s bought simply because purchasing soothes you.
It is possible to balance an easier and simpler existence with owning and acquiring materials things.
You're can be able to appreciate stuff without becoming a monk The exact stability you create is a matter of personal preference. Understand there is a diminishing point of return with accumulation and materialism that undermines authentic joy and fulfillment in existence. Apply mindful purging for your present lifestyle and belongings, too as thoughtful consideration for your future purchases. Carefully examine your motivations for keeping possessions or purchasing new things.
Just something to think about in these times of uncertainty..... May You Prosper
If YOu'd like a free copy of my downsizing guide Go Here
Copyright 2010 James Harner- Montgomery County Realtor
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