Less is More: Inspiration

I found this earlier today and thought it really encapsulated what I'm feeling more than I can express. I used to dream of living on a boat- I don't think it'll ever happen for me in this lifetime, but knowing someone out there is making it happen is such an exciting thing for me...

It's a bit of a long video, but it's especially good from 7:00 on.

"I think the more you have the more you want.. so when you reduce, you want less.. and so you're happy with what you have. If you have more, you want more, and you are never satisfied.. at least in my experience."

Stuff. Literally.

So I've been thinking a lot about Stuff.

Back when I was younger and maybe a little less secure, I clung to stuff. My room and home was always cluttered and I remember being horribly ashamed by how disorganized I was. And now that I'm older and more secure, I'm thinking about letting almost all of my things go.

I have three bookshelves full of books and craft projects and papers and trinkets. I have purses that overfloweth, I have shoes that I love but never wear. And I have about four vacuum-sealed bags full of clothes under the bed- full of clothes that I rarely look at, let alone touch. I have vases that I have inherited but never use, so they sit stashed away under the kitchen counter. I have old beer steins from my grandmother that I haven't ever used, and they are sitting on our fridge collecting dust and being under-appreciated... And don't even get me started on the entry-way closet. It is packed full...

And why? What good is this stuff doing for me?

I just hung up the phone with my hubby (he's still fighting the good fight in Taipei) and we had a great conversation about what we consider important. We've given away a lot already- we gave away a gorgeous 42" flat screen tv, as well as donated four car-fulls of stuff. But I feel like we are just getting started. There is so much stuff left to give.

So spring cleaning has officially begun. Let the donation fest begin.