When those plans fizzled, something else happened to all that space which was completely unintended. I filled it with everything else with no real plan or goal in mind. It wasn't obnoxious spending by any means. I collecting things that made sense for the space and at the time it became a habit. And it seemed like a healthy one.
Oh, it was stylish enough. It made sense. Guests that came were walking into a complete and welcoming home. At least it looked that way.
The home appeared the way it should, and yet, I was not a complete person. I was on autopilot, filling the emptiness in my space; filling an emptiness in my soul. I had no life plan. I had no serious goals. I wasn't growing as a person. I wasn't gaining knowledge, or experience, and I found myself house poor.
Plan A didn't work and there was no Plan B. ...and just like that 7 years were gone.
I had lost myself.
When space is available we look to fill it, even when we don't know we are doing it. When we get on a path we might just keep walking whether its the right direction or not. I did. For so many reasons, and so many excuses, I was stuck on the wrong path. I wasn't able to turn it around and get on the right one because I didn't take the time to truly analyze myself, my plans, my desires, and therefore, my orientation. I just kept walking the walk.
The lessons to be learned from this are:
1. While you are decluttering, be aware of the direction you want your life to go. If you don't, it is very likely you'll do some wasteful spending on new crap you don't need and be right back where you started with less money and less time.
And on a larger scale:
2. Start smaller with your home. Even if you know you want to grow, you don't know how much you will actually need yet, and just like your grandparents, you will find a way to make do with what you have. Its just a financially smarter investment to make. Exponentially smarter. If I'm wrong, and I'm never wrong, (wink wink) by the time it gets so crowded that you truly need more, you will be able to afford to up-size.
~In case you are curious about how it is exponentially smarter, inquire about my "Simple American Dream" sessions, and let's talk.
3. Always be examining your values during times of change. Plans rarely work out exactly as we design. New challenges show up at inopportune moments. Life has its own plan. You know this, so be ready for forks in the road, so that you can react accordingly. Be mentally available for yourself to examine a Plan B when things don't go the way you wanted.
4. Deeply consider your motivation for purchasing that. Over the decades consumer markets have become better and better at convincing us what we need. Most of it is predatory, and it feeds on our fears, and our desires. Understand your own needs, and the needs of your family, and be confident enough to say "no" to all the things that you don't require in order to be productive in ways that fulfill your goals and values. Be aware of this before every point of purchase.
5. Have goals. Have goals and give them your full efforts. Live Minimalism, and live ferociously in a way that is fulfilling to your soul.
How much space and money will you use more wisely?
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