This post was written as part of the monthly Simplicity Parenting Carnival hosted by The Lone Home Ranger and S.A.H.M. i AM. This month we are discussing how we balance simplicity and productivity, i.e. remain productive while also maintaining a slower pace of life. Be sure to read to the end to see a list of the rest of the excellent carnival contributors.
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I've had an epiphany lately that has radically changed the way I view life and do most things. Maybe I'm behind on the eight-ball, if you will. But, either way it has warranted
All the
stuff that everyone else tells you you need (think: 'more is better'
mentality) and we have been working so hard to accumulate, is in my way.
All of it is getting in the way of me being productive; both in life in
general (think laundry, dishes, homeschooling), and literally (think toys,
clothes, books). So, while I've been purging my whole life house (which I
know in and of itself sounds productive) I've been fighting the urge to give
up. Mostly because, at the end of
the day I don't have a clean house, fabulous schedule, or even a
minimalistic home. *frown* I'm still overwhelmed with all the stuff!
I've taken more loads of stuff to Goodwill than I care to admit, and
sadly my house doesn't reflect it. Of course, I know (well, and my
family) how much better it feels in our home after getting rid of so much,
but I also know we have a long way to go. I'm trying to remember that
making a home with a foundation in faith and family- not stuff.
The more stuff I have, the less
productive I am in the areas that matter- faith, family, and fellowship.
I
get tied down to the monotony of maintenance of the stuff that I
can't maintain the necessary, or enjoy the moment. Now, don't get me
wrong. I know that productivity is not always (rarely in my life,
actually) about big changes or drastic epiphanies. It's about the little
changes that point to a bigger picture. But, nonetheless the little
changes and small victories still seem tedious instead of joyous around here.
I am in the middle of this now. My closet is a nightmare. I have purged it once
and it still laughs at me. *smirk* I have clothes that I love but don't wear.
Now, to my credit let me let you in on a little secret. I have gone from a
size XS to a size large and back again in the last year due to pregnancy (not
to mention the maternity clothes that made an appearance on my hangers for 7
months!). So, it's not like I'm just hoarding clothes. I just have my favorites
for each size and then a few more to add variety. But, I digress. *wink* The
point is not the ridiculousness situation with my closet. It is the
fact that I'm working on it. Five trash bags *gasp!* have left my closet to
never return again and I am scheduling a date with Goodwill for a second drop
off for round two. It is what it is. I am making progress and getting to a
point where the clothes aren't in the way. Then getting dressed,
doing laundry and maintaining it all won't take away from other areas that I
could be doing something more productive or more importantly doing something
that really matters
(eternally speaking). My productivity is sure to increase when I'm
not tied down to the maintenance of so many clothes. And, I'm sure it will be
the same way in other areas in my life.
It is
about productivity, but it's also about perspective. The stuff is leaving and
it feels good, but I'm sure it will feel even better when I think I'm
done. But, then again, maybe it'll never seem simple enough (or organized
enough); sort of like cleaning. Does it ever feel too clean? If it does,
I've never experienced it! *laugh* I am making progress, slowly but
surely. I'm moving towards minimalism less stuff. But, I'm also
moving with the reminder that the stuff isn't the point (whether I
have it or not), it's about my perspective and my understanding that all that
stuff I wanted gone was just a hindrance and half the battle is
recognizing it.
How do you balance
productivity and perspective when it comes to your stuff?
***Thanks for reading the Simplicity Parenting Blog Carnival! We hope you’ll take time to read these other great contributors’ posts:
- Encouraging Productivity - Melinda at Wholesome Womanhood discusses ways to embrace computer time as a time to learn via podcasts, online sermons, etc.
- Mise en Place - Justine at The Lone Home Ranger discovers preparing for projects ahead of time can be a big time-saver that helps her increase productivity.
- Productivity? Depends on your definition! - Jamie at I Love Junkmail describes her typical productive day.
- Productivity: Making the correlation - Jade at Faith in the Shade talks about how she is revamping every aspect of her life (including measuring productivity) to live simpler.
- Simplicity and Productivity: The Art of Compromise - Emily at S.A.H.M. i AM finds that compromise is sometimes the best way to balance productivity and simple living.
