Stuff and "the stuff" it takes to contain it

This week I've been busy dealing with "stuff".  I'm pulling it out, sorting it, throwing it out, giving it away and mostly wondering why I have to live with so much of it.  I'm also wondering why it is so much easier to bring in than to send out.

One thing I know, for as beautiful, useful and sentimental as "stuff" can be, it is equally draining.  It has taken me several moves to learn this, I'm grateful to be finally "getting it."  

It was close to 90 degrees today and I sweated through the task, I was ruthless.  The kids questioned what I was doing and I explained the concept of simplifying.  I sincerely told them how much I'd rather spend my time playing with them than cleaning up.  Some of them got it and were supportive but others are still hanging on.  

Here are my boundaries:

Each child has a small suitcase for treasures.  They also have a small metal bucket for personal toys.  Their desks contain their school work and a small locker is provided for larger homeschool projects.  All of the shared toys must fit into a set amount of bins and all of the stuffed animals must fit in the two drawers below the bunk bed (without jamming it).  Each child has a medium sized rubbermaid that they can fill with whatever sentimental stuff they wish, most of them are still pretty empty but James' is now bursting.  We weeded his out and got it securely closed and discussed the possibility of allowing a second rubbermaid for the teenage years - any thoughts?

The funny thing about this process is the temptation to bring more "stuff" in to help me.  I sent Paul to Target with a request for $200 worth of new bins and then tempted to order these three books Authenticity, Voluntary Simplicity, and Clear the Clutter.  Don't I already have a whole shelf of Don Aslett books?

The other funny thing about this process is it is hard to find cheerleaders.  Along the way there are those who accuse you, maybe not so directly, of being a "kill joy", or suggest you are "cracking early" and experiencing a mid-life crisis.  Some may make you feel guilty about the gifts they have given you and or even suggest the regret you'll someday feel.  It sometimes takes guts to get rid of stuff in the face of others.

The other issue I recognize here is it is not just about purging, every box I fill reminds of me how guarded I need to be on what "stuff" comes through our doors.  Every purchase (even a fantastic garage sale deal) needs questioning.

 I've said it here before.  May we be cautious not to fill our homes with the kind of "stuff" that can never fill our hearts, instead, may we ever be fed by the forces of life that already surround us, the kind of "stuff" that flows constant and uncontained.

And here's what Paul has to say about the "stuff" in the garage.