Identifying the Essentials

Okay, so, while exploring Zen Habits, I came across this link about The First Rule of Simplifying: Identify the Essentials.

In the article, the author poses several questions that got me thinking. And, *gulp* I'm daring to put a few of my answers out here into the void of the internet and take some accountability for them. So, here we go.

1) What is most important to me?
My family. I love my hubby, Pook, and the baby on the way. My health (so that I can care for my family). I love exercising and yoga. I love writing and to journal (online and on paper). I love to read (from books to blogs baby!). I love to sit outside and feel the breeze and listen to the sounds. I love to learn about things I enjoy (simplifying, Buddhism, Taoism, frugality and finance, etc.). I love to create when the mood strikes me - watercolors, sewing, among other things. Spending quality time with friends and people who feed my soul.

2) What are things that are going on in my life and how are they related to what is important to me? (This answer could take a while, and I'm not sure if I want to share it just yet... so, I'm reserving the right to return at a later date to evaluate.) I will tell you, that staying healthy and getting exercise so that I have the energy to be a good mom is up there, along with homeschooling Pook (whom is important to me, as her education), taking time for me (keeps me sane and able to nurture the family), enjoying the moments until Baby's arrival, enjoying moments with hubby, reading a good book or two or three, blogging, bill paying, filing, letter writing, getting groceries (we DO need to eat), homemaking and keeping, time with friends, and I'm sure there is more out there... :)

3) Possessions - Do you really love them? No! That was my first answer. Just popped right into my head. Although, there are a few pictures we have up that I really enjoy looking at. But seriously, I'm not attached to any of it.

Are they truly essential? Looking around, many of my possessions hold things (bookshelves, cabinets, etc.). I've a few sentimental things, but I like to look at them, and rarely use them. So, I don't know if they really are. Although, not having a computer would make it really hard for me to work. ;)

And the biggie - if my house burned down, which things would I want to replace? If my house burned down, these are the things I think I'd replace. They are in no particular order. Some are "necessities" and others are little things that really brighten my day.

- Clothing and shoes
- Beds to sleep in - King, kid's, and maybe a queen for guests (or those nights when the king would be too crowded) - pillows and really nice sheet sets - 2 for each
- Crib
- Table to eat meals and do projects at - seating for 6-8
- Laptop computer
- Comfy Sofa to sit in, and 2 comfy chairs to read in
- Books to read in the comfy sofa and chairs
- Washer and Dryer
- Homeschool materials and supplies
- CD player/alarm clock
- Outdoor swing and bistro table for backyard
- TV and DVD player (per Hubby's request - I'm either or on this)
- Hub's computer
- Freezer (maybe)
- File Cabinet (maybe)
- Desk or table to sit computer on (I suppose...)
- Sewing machine and kit
- Exercise DVDs and weights
- Tea pot and tea cups, plates, bowls, glasses, utensils, pots and pans
- Art supplies - pads, brushes, pencils
- Shelves for pantry if not enough room in kitchen
- Cloth napkins
- Bath towels, wash cloths, hand towels, kitchen towels and cloths

I think that what really took me by surprise, is that thinking about not having to clean, organize, or deal with my stuff was extremely freeing for me. It got me thinking about what my life would be like if we didn't have all these things in it. So many things I've been holding onto with the reasoning that some day I might use this or not being able to get rid of something because of the emotional attachment.

In an email to a friend this morning, I wrote, "Then I started to think about things like, what would our lives be like if we didn't have all this stuff in them? Cleaning would be a breeze! (I'm having trouble wanting to clean this week with the leggo invasion in my living room. It's a mess!) If I didn't have all the seasonal decorations, I'd probably just use things from nature. Maybe I'd actually STOP obsessing about all the stuff!"

And I DO obsess about our stuff. Just check the archives and look at my obsession with decluttering.

In any case, I'm looking at our stuff in a new light. That new dinning room set I thought I wanted? I'm not so sure anymore. The dinning room would make a cool library/homeschooling room if we got rid of the current dinning set... And do we really use all these books? Do we really need all this furniture? Hmmm...