Things That Matter. Stuff That Works. Two songs that I have
loved for many years, which have taken on deeper meaning as I’ve worked to
simplify my life. I imagine the words ring true to most people on a simple
journey.
De-owning half of your possessions will give you perspective
on the ‘things that matter’ – tangible and intangible. It will also give you a
greater appreciation for the ‘stuff that works’.
I own many things which fall into those categories. A
dresser which belonged to my oldest cousin as a child; it has belonged to four
cousins over the course of four decades. My grandmother’s cedar chest. The desk
my grandfather built in his high school shop class. These things matter, they have
history and “spark joy” as Kondo would say. And they also work! Consumer
culture tells us these things should be replaced, updated, super-sized but doing
so doesn’t satisfy. Deep down, no matter how much we financially buy into the
lie, we know that’s not what matters.
Simplifying my life has made it easier to enjoy the ‘things
you can share’. My home is a more welcoming place to others. It is easier to
clean and to maintain the welcoming environment. I have more time to be
hospitable to my guests and enjoy their presence. Having such a home has always
been important to me and I never realized how the excess was getting in the way
of that goal.
Going forward in my simple life I want to focus more on the
things I keep, and less on what I’m getting rid of. More about what I allow in,
than what I need to send out. More on the ‘stuff that’s real’!
