I’ve been on this incredible stress reduction journey for ten years now. I’ve found my peace. Everything I’ve experienced and learned has brought me to this point. Ten years ago this month, I stepped down from a dream job I thought I would never leave. I knew I didn’t have the inner tools I needed to deal with many of the external stressors in my life.
I’ve shared in other articles how I found wellness coaching and its impact on my life. There was still something missing, though. Have you ever felt like you had almost cracked the code on a total victory but kept falling short? That’s me! I knew I was so much better than I was ten years ago, but still, something was missing.
The Soul of Money
A few months ago, I contemplated how much easier it would be if I only had more money. I was running a successful online business but was spending as much as I was bringing in. I knew there was a better way of dealing with money. A book that came across my path was The Soul of Money by Lynne Twist. I purchased it to learn how to be more intentional with money. What I learned was something life-changing. A description for this excellent book is: “This unique and fundamentally liberating book shows us that examining our attitudes toward money—earning it, spending it, and giving it away—can offer surprising insight into our lives, our values, and the essence of prosperity.”
The book came as an Audible book, and I listened to this book in small chunks on the way to and from work each day. There was a word that really grabbed my attention, and that word was Sufficiency!
Sufficiency
That word was so impactful in my life that I created a category here on my blog just for this topic. Sufficiency. I am having enough and being enough. Ah. That word was a soothing balm to my weary soul. Something awakened in me as I began to change my perspective on money. In America, where I live, it’s the dream to own a large home, possess nice things, drive nice cars, and have a successful job. However…who defines success? Who has made us believe we aren’t successful unless we achieve all those things?
When you achieve success by the status quo definition…does it make you happy? Do your things make you happy? You could have just experienced a significant loss quickly and unexpectedly. We’ve just gone through Hurricane Matthew. I was at my daughter’s home, where pictures of rescue efforts were shown on Facebook. There, my house was…flooded up to the porch. Yep. My home. Being flooded. Would we lose everything but my cars and what we had packed? We ended up not losing everything. The flood didn’t come into the house. Right now, we don’t have any heating or air conditioning, and everything under the house has to be replaced…ductwork, vents, heating, AC, insulation, and not sure about the floors yet.. I am still waiting on the inspection. However, hundreds around us have lost everything they own. Rich & Poor. No respector of persons. Right now, in my state of North Carolina, there are 26 confirmed dead. Losing my things doesn’t compare to loss of life.
Judgement Free Zone
If you are happy, love your life and your job, and are experiencing what some call the “American Dream,” this article isn’t in judgment. I want to be very clear on that. Your right to work hard, possess whatever money can buy, and love every minute is something to be commended. I live in a lovely home. We have two cars, and I never lack food, clothing, or my needs. Something has shifted in me, though. It’s my journey, and my shift, and not everyone is on this particular journey, and that’s OK!
My Minimalist Journey
A week before the flood, God was dealing with my heart about Sufficiency. I mentioned I wanted to simplify my life, and a friend suggested I join a few minimalist groups on Facebook. I started watching how everything was decluttering and enjoying the peaceful space surrounding them. A few were talking about the new Minimalism Documentary. I purchased the online version to watch it right then and there. Everything the creators were talking about resonated with me. Something inside “clicked” with me that I needed to start this journey.
KonMari
My “aha moment” journey didn’t end when I watched the movie. Just to be honest and upfront. I had a lot of STUFF! I’m not a natural organizer. I’ve probably purchased over 20 books about “How to Organize & Clean Your Home.” I’ve lived with clutter my entire adult life. I get frustrated because I had such a hard time finding a place for everything and putting everything in its place! Well. I had too much darn stuff and couldn’t find a place… and so it piled. Then I would get frustrated… and a few weeks ago, I found KonMari! It’s called The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo. She created the KonMari Method and between this and learning more about what it means to be minimalist… I feel like I’ve been set free! I’ve cracked the code on this stress reduction/self-care journey!
What sets the KonMari Method apart from other organizing books is that IT isn’t an ORGANIZING BOOK! The lights have gone off! It’s not about organizing your stuff! It’s about GETTING RID OF YOUR STUFF! Keep only those things that bring you joy! What a novel idea! I don’t NEED all the STUFF I have!
Becoming Minimalist
I’ve already made such a headway in my household with the “stuff” that doesn’t bring me joy! The peace that is coming with this process is something I wasn’t expecting. This process is flowing over to every area of my life: my finances, my home, and even my job (and business).
I will not say this is for everyone. To say it’s for everyone would almost mean this is a better way than those wanting to have all the “stuff.” Nope. I’m not saying that! What I’m saying is if you are stressed to the max, feel like you have an issue with all the clutter in your life, and want to experience more peace and joy… this may be for you!
I would just LOVE to know: Does anyone else deal with stress Do you have clutter in your life that you’ve never been able to conquer? Please leave a comment or write to me!
Be Whole,
Joycelynn
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