When Less is More

I recently took on the task of cleaning out my closet -- something that I've been putting off for a while but trying to pick out summer clothes amid the overlapping hangers was proving to be a bit irritating.

Like most women, I have clothes in various sizes. The smaller size that once fit and may fit again after losing the desired weight. The larger size, that was needed when extra weight from the holidays made for an uncomfortable waist band. Then the current size, the one that you are fitting in at the moment.

I made two piles, clothes for the needy and clothes that were worn out but could be salvaged for rags. Four bags went to the needy and one for the rag pile. I finally gave up the smaller size clothes. Not that I have given up on losing weight, but they have been hanging there for so long that they were a bit out of date and I figured that when I lose the weight that I want, I can treat myself to a few new pieces. After I was done, I looked at my very neat and organized closet with pride. It was worth the time that I put into it.

Besides cluttered closets, our homes can stand some cleaning out every once in a while also. As I become older, I realize that having less things to take care of gives me more time to do what I want to be doing. Perhaps this comes with age. My aunt, in her later years, was giving knickknacks away to each of her children and grandchildren when they visited. My cousin finally realized that her mother was tired of constantly dusting off these treasures and wanted to pass them along to the family. I have found my own mother doing the same thing. I guess they don't have the heart to throw them out so they are happy to know that a family member is now enjoying them.

We spend the first half of our lives accumulating things. When we set up our first apartment or home, we need furniture, kitchen supplies, sheets and towels and so forth. But eventually, these items become worn out and need replacing. A friend of mine, who like myself is married over 25 years, said that you need another bridal shower on your silver anniversary. Things do not last so we buy new things. If we don't get rid of the old stuff, our homes become a cluttered mess.

A family friend owns a beach house about an hour away from his main home. He and his family enjoy it very much, especially in the summer months. But the home needs to be kept up with repairs and the kitchen needs to have a constant supply of food in it. The house has to be cleaned and maintained. This takes time. Unless you are among the very wealthy that can afford hired help for your extra home, it will be up to you to take care of what you have.

I look back at some of the cars that I have owned since I was first married and one that stands out in my mind was our white mini van. When we bought that car, my son was three and could stand up in it. We made many road trips to Florida to visit my in-laws and the children could sleep on their own seat in the middle and the back. We loved that van and we kept it for 15 years. It was pretty worn out but still running when we donated it to a charity. We were sad to let it go because of the many wonderful family memories that we had in that car.

We buy clothes, furniture and cars, all necessary items for everyday living, but they eventually need to be replaced. They are not important in themselves, but what is important is the people that we share these things with, our family and our friends. Having less things to take care of gives us more time to spend with the people that we care about. They are what really matters most in our lives.