Living more with less
Back in my single years, I would occasionally fancy a solo trip to the beach on a hot day to relax, go for a swim, and get a tan (not recommended!). There are two separate occasions one summer that I look back on and vividly remember.
My first trip to the beach I had packed to the finest detail – beach chair, food, snacks, drinks, various pieces of clothing and accessories, books, and media. I spent all morning prepping and packing with the intention of staying all day at the beach. It was a hot day, and so naturally all the parking nearby was taken, and I had to lug all the things I had packed about half a kilometre up the road to my chosen spot. When I finally settled in, I spent the next two hours trying to relax, but somehow found myself bothered instead – the sand getting into everything, the glaring sun on my screen, the water from my swim wetting all my things, the wind, the heat – everything!! Everything about the environment that I’d set out to enjoy was now, ‘getting in the way’. I called it quits not long after and had to lug my partially wet and sandy items back up the road to my hot car. I got home and unpacked all the things that I had a newfound resentment for, disappointed with my day and efforts.
The next time I went to the beach, I did so on a whim and took nothing with me but a towel and my car keys. I stayed for several hours and nothing about ‘being at the beach’ bothered me; in fact, I delighted in it all; the sand sticking to my skin, the wind blowing a cool change in, swimming in the water when it got hot, then lying in the sun to dry off. I was grateful for my single towel and the beauty of the beach environment and practically skipped back to the car. I drove home blasting some wholesome tunes and considered the day to have been even more enjoyable than I had anticipated it would be.
I learnt through these experiences that ‘more’ doesn’t always equal ‘better’. In fact, with ‘less’ I was happier, more at peace, more grateful, and better able to be present to the day.
Household clutter
This lesson parallels in many ways, but perhaps nowhere more importantly than in my home. 73% of households in Australia report being cluttered with unwanted or unused possessions. It’s probably not hard for us to identify with the 73%. It’s very easy for things to come into the home, and seemingly impossible at times for them to go out! We all have our reasons for holding onto things, and those reasons can be hard to overcome. St. Teresa of Avila says, “Thank God for the things I do not own.” I think I know what she means! It is difficult to detach, but what are we sacrificing when we don’t?
The overwhelm
Back in the newborn days of my second child, I found myself frequently overwhelmed by the house. Of course, newborn life is demanding. However, I found myself spending all my free time picking things up off the floor and returning items to their rightful room. I was frustrated by how hard and unproductive my daily life felt. How could I always be doing something but still nothing was done!? I sometimes found myself ‘giving up’ on a day and resigning to the couch, the TV, and/or doom scrolling. Far from embracing and loving the precious season of life I was in, I blamed it instead on the disorder around me.
Regaining order
One day I came across several Instagram accounts that spoke of their simplified home, and how their massive decluttering efforts had left them with only those items that were essential; allowing for an easier to manage home.
‘Perhaps I just have too much stuff,’ I hopefully considered one afternoon, and I set to work. Over the course of the next few weeks, I decluttered, donated, stored, and disposed of countless items; clothes, platters, toys, books, products, pantry items, and a big collection of items I kept telling myself I’d sell on Facebook marketplace but just never did. With every bag and box of items removed from the house, I felt lighter: as though a physical burden was being lifted from me. With fewer things, I had more peace and more mental clarity. Our home had more space, and our family had more time. Soon I was able to get back on track with the cooking, cleaning, and regular household chores. I was motivated by the progress that had been made and our house regained order.
My problem had not been a lack of time or effort or desire for a clean and ordered home. My problem was that I had too much stuff and it was an unreasonable amount for any one person to manage. St. Teresa of Calcutta put it beautifully: “The more you have, the more you are occupied. The less you have, the more free you are.”
The weight of our possessions
Our possessions would like for us to believe that we are the problem. The consumer world preying on our vulnerability, would have us believing that if we were to only have ‘one more thing,’ we’d have more time and happier kids. The enemy lies, saying that we lack the ability and the skills and that we’re not fit to be mothers and homemakers.
But our Lord calls to us, “Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Christ addresses Martha saying, “Martha, Martha” .. “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed — or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Our homes can be beautiful, inviting and warm places, filled with lovely things we appreciate and enjoy. Homes where we cook meals, clean messes, teach children, read books and host friends. But they can also be places of immense distraction. By lightening the load we can more clearly see our own needs and the needs of those around us.
Take action
We can start with just one item at a time. Remove the rubbish and the obvious things we no longer have need of: papers, clothes, decor, old pantry ingredients we won’t use etc. Decluttering even one area in the home just once a week will have a positive impact on how we feel. If you feel up to the task you can set aside a weekend for a serious purge of the home – fill up the bin, book a hard rubbish collection, pack shopping bags for donation and keep it all moving out the door! End the day with a movie and some takeaway dinner and thank God for the blessing of your home and all the possessions still in it that you have and enjoy.
More of what matters
With fewer things we will have more room in our homes, but we will also have more space in our hearts for Christ. More time for family and friends. More peace and presence in everyday moments. More gratitude for the simple essentials and happy things we still have.
St. Vincent de Paul says, “Peace is worth more than all worldly possessions.” Let’s strive for peace in our homes! For, with peace, simplicity and less occupying us, we may have more time for what really matters.
"Peace is worth more than all worldly possessions."
Saint vincent de paul
Beck is a wife and mother based in Albury, NSW. She is a Catholic convert with a heart for women, making traditions, and living community life. Beck loves organising, flowers, brunch and beautiful spaces. Beck is the Co-Founder of Litany of the Home, and the proud owner of way too many baskets.
7 Responses
Needed to hear this.
Thank you Maryann 🙏
This is so nourishing to read. Thank you 🙏
Thank you for your kind comment Anna 🙏
Well written. So many of us can benefit from a good clean to make room for more clear and peaceful space in our family home. Needed to read and reflect on this topic 🙂
A good reminder for us all – thank you for your kind comment Sara 🙏