Less is so much more

Two weeks ago, I got sick. I spent a few days stuck in bed, overthinking. Being feverish and achy, my ruminations were a little dark and stormy. My imagination ran wild, conjuring up worst-case scenarios for various stressors rumbling in my subconscious. The gloominess and negativy lingered even as I recovered.

I was home alone that Friday evening. I was still tired but much better.  Sitting in our living room, I suddenly had this irresistible urge to move all the furniture.   I started with the couches, angling them towards the center and opening up the layout. Next, I shifted the coffee table, area rug, and armchairs. “Oh my gosh, I like this so much better!” I said to no one, and immediately, my spirits lifted a little.

From there commenced a surge of adrenaline. Though I did my initial big whole-home declutter in 2019, plenty of things (décor, clothing, gadgets, toiletries, etc.) had accumulated over the years, so I began another round of decluttering in earnest. Cleaning out closets and pantries reminded me how whitespace and order calm my mind and brighten my perspectives. The more I minimalized, the more I fell (back) in love with my home... and life.

When I find myself in a funk, I can almost always trace it back to getting stuck in my own head. It felt good, really good, to throw myself into a home improvement project, creating beauty and simplicity in my present physical environment rather than obsessively dwelling on the past or future.  

As with any reset, getting started was the most challenging part, but that first small victory (moving my couches) sparked momentum. Waking up to less (stuff, disorder, and overwhelm) has been energizing, stabilizing, and inspiring.  For me, decluttering leads to healthier choices all around, encouraging intentionality over impulsivity and a growth-oriented mindset. So often, it’s not our circumstances holding us back but avoidance, procrastination, and decision fatigue.

The next time you need a reboot, remember how powerful intentional living tools such as weekly planning, decluttering, journaling, and morning and evening routines can be! Start small to get the ball rolling! Every little win will awaken renewed determination to engage more fully with each new day by pursuing peace, fruitfulness, creativity, connectedness, and wellness.

Developing (and re-developing) rhythms of intentionality and productivity helps us become better stewards of our time, relationships, talents, physical health, and many God-given blessings!  Less is truly more when it comes to lowering your stress levels and detaching from chaos. We have more control over our attitude and efficiency than we often realize.