I just finished reading Jen Hatmaker's recent book, 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess.
Now, I am going to read it again. But first, I am going to form my own Council of Seven, and get my own fanny off the couch and see what changes there are to be wrought in my own world. (Well, probably after I consult My Dear.)
Jen's mutiny is another word for "Fast", and I don't mean speedy. She experimented with "fasting from" certain excesses she identified in her life (ok, our lives, truth be told) and blogged real-time about her experience. I won't be blogging, and I certainly won't be limiting myself to only 7 foods for a month, or 7 articles of clothing; but the gist of her experiment was to identify excess - and take a long, hard look at how it was affecting her family and her world.
And, while I'm at it... thankyouverymuch Sher, for siccing this notion on me. First, you almost got me kicked out of church because I was laughing (out loud) while reading 7, after downloading it onto my tablet in the middle of the service. OK, it wasn't really your fault that I was so impatient. And second, now I can't get this voice out of my head which is convincing me that Less is More and I need do something beyond buying the bumper sticker. I need to step away from the computer desk and start weeding my way through the overload that is my life. If for nothing else than my sanity, but I also do not wish this on my kids when I die. No one needs this much stuff.
From paying to store the overflow to climbing through the blackhole that is my garage/store room, how much money, time, and energy is wasted wading through the unused, unwanted, unneeded things that are cluttering up my life and sanity? I have tried Freecycle. I have tried Craiglist. I have tried setting things by the recycling can, hoping they walk away on their own. And it's not like I haven't already gone through this cycle countless times before. My Dear claims that we need to move every Two Years in order to force us to "go through our things..." To which I turn on my heel and smile. Best to keep my mouth shut.
Where was I?
So, I am starting this weekend: I am cleaning out 7 drawers / cabinets. I am hoping to make 7 bags to take to ARC Thrift store... It's a start. Sher, can you hear me?
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Hooray for you! Before I even read the book I said that I was going to NOT buy anything (material) for myself for one year. Then I read '7' and decided to add to that either Craigs Listing or giving away at least one item each day.
ReplyDeleteThank you to the cute little college girl who stopped by my house today and happened to mention that since the roommate moved out they are without cups, plates or bowls. Eureka! I gave away 20 plates, 20 cups, and 20 bowls--all matching, no less.
Does that give me 20 days, or 40 days or 60 days of grace? Nice try, but no. Already thinking about tomorrow's item(s) :)