with one hand



My net is shrinking.

Maybe it is the stage I am at in my life.  Maybe it is the limited amount of time I have for extra things.  And I am not ruling out impatience.

I have fewer things as Geo and I are in a complete thinning-out frenzy around here.  Every closet has been sliced and diced.  We do not have a garage.  Not a scrap of stuff in the attic.

This has translated into my personal life.  Family, church, work, friends, exercise, and writing here on my blog.  Not much more than that is needed, I find.  A good small collection of what matters.  And even within each category I feel like there has been some dieting.

I like a  more  minimal  life.   It feels fuller, ironically.

Less me.

Less stuff.

Less navigating through stacks of things wondering if they are worth keeping.  What is worth keeping finds its way into my life without so much work, because it isn't hidden behind things.

I can pull my own net with one hand, even when it is full of everything I value.

23 comments

Valerie | September 1, 2011 at 4:32 PM

You never cease to amaze me with the beautiful way you craft words together!

Kristina P. | September 1, 2011 at 5:00 PM

I wish I could see life the same way as you. Always so full!

lesa | September 1, 2011 at 5:56 PM

I wish I could figure out how to do that. Good for you.

Like Valerie said, you are amazing with words.

Welcome to the Garden of Egan | September 1, 2011 at 6:33 PM

Time is like money and you need to be careful about how you spend it........or allow others to spend it for you.

You have such a beautiful way with words.

Connie | September 1, 2011 at 8:53 PM

Kazzy girl, I hope that I can soon have a one-handed net that encompasses my life. I'm working on it. Perhaps you can teach us...

Erin | September 1, 2011 at 9:05 PM

Love, love, love this post.

Melanie Jacobson | September 1, 2011 at 9:09 PM

I don't know why I'm afraid to commit to a similar trimming. You think it would be one of those things I'd figured out by now.

Much respect for embracing the lesson.

Stacy | September 1, 2011 at 9:10 PM

Fantastic. I want this for us too.

Kazzy | September 1, 2011 at 10:26 PM

It's a work in progress. It sure helps when the husband is on the same page.

LisAway | September 1, 2011 at 11:40 PM

Oh, that's the life I want. I am the opposite of a hoarder, but I still want fewer things. And more of just what I really love.

I second what Valerie said.

heather | September 2, 2011 at 7:39 AM

I agree. A more minimal life feels fuller. I'm trying to find a balance.

Brianne | September 2, 2011 at 8:56 AM

Less really is more. The less we have to decide.. the less we have... the more we can enjoy the things that remain.

mermaid gallery | September 2, 2011 at 10:06 AM

so true...stuff weighs us down and leaves little room for the priorities of life....it is a tangled web...so much nicer to have open skies.....

CB | September 2, 2011 at 5:02 PM

This post makes me feel guilty - Hee hee.
I have too much...STUFF hanging around. I can't even see my net - that could be a problem!

Kazzy | September 2, 2011 at 6:01 PM

Cherie-- LOL Maybe you need a truck instead of a net. My intent is not to make anyone feel guilty. This is just a new(ish) push in my life. Sometimes getting rid of things is your own choice, and sometimes it is thrust upon you. Either way, it feels so good to get started that I wanted to share.

What would a good standard be? If you could pack up your house and move out in a 24 hour's time, with a medium-sized moving truck.

Corine Moore | September 2, 2011 at 7:54 PM

Beautiful! :) I feel the same way as I de-clutter my life. ~ From "things to toss," to crossing off things on my "to do" list - WITHOUT doing them!

Great detour today... I'm glad I found you. :)
Corine :D

Bri... only she | September 3, 2011 at 5:06 PM

Grant and I try to spring clean more often than once a year in the same way, but I think perhaps we are in the accumulation stage of life because no matter how we clean the proverbial and physical closets of our lives, they seem to fill again so quickly. Still, the act of slicing and dicing is refreshing.

CiCi | September 4, 2011 at 5:43 AM

When you have less in the way, you do use all your things, you rotate them and are not wasteful. Years ago I got rid of dressers with drawers. I use bookcases for my clothes. I want to see them. With drawers I would use the top things and not even see the things at the bottom.

Unknown | September 4, 2011 at 8:44 PM

What a perfect post to "meet" you! This is what I'm trying to work on right now ...there is so much I want (need?) to do that I just need to get rid of the extras.

Rachel Cotterill | September 5, 2011 at 9:46 AM

I'm always trying to reduce the amount of 'stuff' that I have - it sounds like you're succeeding much more than I am at this! I'm very impressed.

Grumpy Grateful Mom | September 8, 2011 at 5:25 PM

What an amazing post! I love the way you worded it. This is my husband's dream. He's been trying to get me to simplify our lives, but we are buried so deep!

Jenny Lynn | September 8, 2011 at 9:38 PM

Sweet sentiments!

Honey I'm Home Blog | September 10, 2011 at 10:08 PM

It was so much fun meeting you & talking with you at the JSMB. I'm an instant fan of you & your blog. Hope to see you again soon!

Warmly, Michelle