By Lois Hewitt

Today is the day. A new start with new healthy habits.

I claim to be a minamalist but our 500 sq ft apartment overflowth. Already are four bags to donate and two bags of garbage.

And that’s only a corner of the first room. Lucky there are only three rooms.

We came to the mountains with only what fit in our car. We rent a lovely furnished apartment, so where did the stuff come from?

Oh I know….Amazon.

As I struggle to move and clean things in a small place I am amazed at how much of the stuff I thought I actually needed.

Things never taken from the box. A porch full of broken down delivery boxes. Messes everywhere.

One thing accumulates and then another and another. Next thing you know it’s so overwhelming that you cannot do anything. Well that’s how it is for me anyway.

I’m drowning in things again. Things I thought I had to have. Things meant to make life easier. Things that take my joy.

It’s so easy to fall into the thinking that the shiny things on Tik Tok are important.

I’m sad at myself for letting it get so bad again. Of course it’s not the scale of when we lived in a house. Luckily there is only so much we can do in this small space…but I over did it.

The things made my heart and soul heavy. I want light and airy not dark and cluttered.

First World problems you say? Yes without a doubt. I have too much. I can’t rationalize it away anymore.

I know God allows blessings but we are called to be good stewards. He owns all things and we just care of it. I feel that I fell short once again.

So today as I start yet another epic journey of self awareness. Step 1. Come to terms with stuff once and for all.

And stay ever vigilant against the forces that thrive on consumerism. I don’t say that owning things is necessarily bad but it is easy to overconsume.

Today I ask God for my daily bread. What I need for today. What will enrich my soul and bring me closer to Him.

I hate to admit my love for shiny things. I disappoint myself. But if they take away my peace and light, they have no place in my life.

I forgot that I learned the lesson of less already. I don’t honestly think I was ready to believe my own words about all the stuff. But I am now.

Peace means more to me than any shiny item. Space to breathe is paramount.

Let me try this again and lest not forget the beauty of less.