breaking the rules

A friendly reminder to do the dang thing.

When someone says the word, minimalism, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? Blank walls, neutral colors, empty spaces? It was for me, until I hit a low point in my life, and started decluttering my space. I was chronically stressed, in constant fight or flight, losing hair, always arguing, never satisfied, and frankly just wanted less stuff to manage so that I could have the energy to do the other things on my (never-ending)list.

What did I learn? Minimalism is so much more than just decluttering your space, having plain walls, and only wearing the same 10 items. It’s an entire mindset shift. But in order for me to realize that, I had to break the rules.

My life before minimalism was stressful and full of pressures. Then when I claimed to be a minimalist, the stress and pressures resurfaced all because there was again a certain way to do things.

So, I’m not a maximalist or minimalist, I’m just a woman, wife, and mother who admires minimalism, loves to intentionally shop, walks slower than ever, enjoys saying no with confidence(I’ve come a long way), and never passes an opportunity to bathe in the sunshine.

freedom

I wish more people viewed minimalism like this: getting rid of physical and emotional clutter in order to make room for the things that matter.

The thing is, you’re the only one who knows what needs to go and what needs to stay. I see too many people saying “this is the way to live”, “this is what you should do to your body”, “this is how to be happy”, etc. What’s even worse? People believe them.

I want you to feel free.

I want you to have confidence.

I want your burden to be lifted.

Minimalism, your version of it, can get you there. Giving up the ways of the world, finding contentment, and simplifying in the areas that need simplifying(even if it’s scary) can make all the difference.

You gotta be ferocious

You won’t make a dent if you keep things around just in case, and this includes your stuff, your thoughts, and even relationships. If you want peace, you have to work for it. If you want to live a slower, and more intentional life, you’ve gotta make the shifts. If you want more energy to do the things you love, rather than constantly picking up, you’ve gotta use the word no. It will feel uncomfortable at times but who said that’s a bad thing?

I wrote this blog for you…and for myself as well. I’ve heard it said: “what you read is who you become”. So, let’s read the good stuff, and break the rules that are telling us how to live. You and I are beautifully and wonderfully made to be different. Honor those differences, your season, and let that ferocious craving for peace and harmony lead you.

Perfection is not what we’re aiming for, nor are we hoping for a break from hardships and tests. Life is still life, but having more bandwidth to handle it? Now that sounds intriguing.

Sending love,

Marge