As seen in the Dayton Daily News on October 22, 2016.
For my birthday this year, my husband surprised me with a mini vacation. While we relaxed by the pool, a young boy went running past our chairs. His mother called out, “No running, stop running!”
He didn’t slow up one bit. If fact, he started laughing and picked up his pace. He continued to run because he was unaware of the consequences he could suffer by running around the pool.
His mother knew them. He could slip and hit his head, stub a toe, or fall into the pool and drown.
If someone explained the consequences to him beforehand, he may have slowed his pace when his mother reminded him not to run.
This poolside incident reminded me of the many people who share with me how they feel like they are drowning in their homes, surrounded by the accumulation of stuff they collected over the years.
They filled their homes to near capacity because they weren’t thinking about the consequences they would suffer as a result of owning more than they could care for.
When you think about the consequences of keeping too much stuff, you can change your behavior. Knowing the drawbacks of being emotionally attached to stuff, will help you wean yourself from objects and stop the drowning feeling.
As you read through the consequences listed below, think about how you are being affected by your stockpile of stuff.
Wasted time. Wasting time looking for things in your home takes you away from doing things you enjoy. You’re also stressed as you try to find what you are looking for.
Emotionally drained. Are you tired of thinking about all you’ve amassed and worried about how you are going to get out from under it all? Are you losing sleep from this anxiety?
Physically challenged. Are you constantly frustrated while trying to perform the simplest of tasks because extra stuff is in the way? Do you feel like you are walking through a complicated maze to get from one room to another?
Bullied by others. Do people make fun of you because you’re disorganized?
Exhaustion. Do you avoid coming home because dealing with all your stuff is stressful? Your home should be a place you retreat to, not run from.
Arguments. Are your relationships in danger of ending because your loved ones no longer have the patience to deal with it all?
Socially isolated. Do you feel lonely, but wouldn’t dare ask anyone over for fear of them judging how messy your home is?
Wasted money. Do you waste money buying more things because you can’t find what you already have?
Misdirected energy. Is your emotional energy being spent coveting possessions instead of spending time with your loved ones?
Lost opportunities. Do you have trouble acting quickly when unexpected opportunities present themselves?
Refer to this list as you look through your things and determine if what you own are life jackets that keep you buoyed in life or anchors that hold you under.
Once the mother caught up with her son, I could hear her explaining the consequences of running by the pool. He didn’t run for the rest of the afternoon. Look over this list. What changes can you make to lessen your consequences?