"Remember you have one life. That's all. You were made for God. Don't waste it." -John Piper
The moderately minimalist family is moving! We bought a house.
Four years ago our family started the minimalist journey with a move from the suburbs of Indianapolis, IN to the suburbs of Atlanta, GA. We moved from an 1800 square foot house to a 1200 square foot apartment. We got rid of half of our things out of actual necessity. At the time, it wasn't a conscious choice I was making. I was moving from a house with 24 kitchen cabinets to an apartment with 12 kitchen cabinets. How did it feel to get rid of half our stuff? It didn't make me feel deprived. I didn't feel like I was lacking anything. It didn't make me feel anxiety or panic. People ask me if I ever regret anything I got rid of. The answer is no. I have no regrets. I don't feel like anything is missing. I feel... free!
I find I have more time and money. I want less stuff so that I waste less time. Time wasted on shopping and researching where to get the best deal. Time wasted on cleaning it and finding just the right place for it. Time wasted on reorganizing it when people don't put it away. Time wasted looking for things people haven't put away. I want less stuff so that I waste less money. Money wasted on extra clothes, too many toys, an abundance of shoes, bags or DVDs. Money wasted on library fines because I can't find books under everything. Wasted money on buying extra notebooks and pens because they got buried as well. I want to use the extra time and money to serve my family, my community and my church. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matt. 6:19-21)
As we began shopping for a house last month, I felt a little anxious. The Atlanta market is tight. The first house we put an offer on was gone in less than 24 hours. And so many of the houses are huge. Houses with 3000 square feet and 5 bedrooms. I was nervous that we would end up with a monstrosity that didn't really reflect our values. I prayed that we would find just the right home to push us toward our goals. A house small enough that we couldn't carelessly or thoughtlessly fill it up. But large enough that we could serve others through hospitality. And we found it! It has 2000 square feet. Now it is up to us what we do with that 2000 square feet.
As we move once again, what an opportunity we have for reevaluation. As we touch every item in our home and pack it in a box, I ask myself questions. Is this something that I use regularly? Does this thing bring me closer to my goals? Is this thing part of the process of using my time and resources in service to others? Or is it hindering me? We haven't gotten rid of much this time around. Moving is phenomenally easier as a minimalist. I am eagerly anticipating our next step in our lives as we settle into our new home. And we find ways to use our time and money to serve our family, community and church.
