Downsizing and Minimizing: Why are we doing it?

When my husband first came to me and shared that he had taken an interest in minimalism, I did not take it well. To me, minimalism was having a home that’s stark and cold, with one mug per person in your cupboard, and a wardrobe lacking pizzazz and color. No, thank you.

But I couldn’t ignore the WHY behind what he was suggesting. He was envisioning a life not tied down by so much stuff, with spaces in our home that felt peaceful and relaxing because they were easy to keep tidy. Spaces that could breathe. I always knew that clutter, even organized cluttered decor, overwhelmed him, but I never considered how these things impacted me, personally.

I was already feeling like I was drowning in housework, and no matter how much I tried to stay on top of it, I fell behind. So, I was intrigued. Less stuff = less time organizing and cleaning… it made sense to me.

It wasn’t until I watched a video from Dawn, at The Minimal Mom, that it all started resonating in way that I didn’t expect. She explained that a homemaker’s role is basically, a “manger of stuff.” Which sounds offensive, I get it…we are more than that. And she would agree…which is kind of the point. Stay with me here…

She explained that everything that comes into your home will require you to manage it, at some point… and often over and over again. The less items you have, the less things you have to manage, the less time it takes to manage it. Follow? Its is actually all quite practical.

The less time you have to spend managing stuff, the more time you have for things that really matter. The things you want to spend time doing.

I’ve since learned that a minimalism mindset means something different to everyone. It doesn’t have to mean an empty house and a bland wardrobe. As “The Minimalists,” Joshua and Ryan say, “Love people, use things, because the opposite never works.” The heart of modern minimalism is just that. It’s living with intention and not being tied down by things.

Dave and I are still working out what that means for us and our family. As well as juxtaposing that idea to scripture. Time and time again, Jesus warns us about the accumulation of riches, the love of money, storing up treasures on earth, etc… “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money (Matthew 6:24). And after exhorting the rich young ruler to sell all that he had and give it to the poor, he explained to the disciples that “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:24).

I would be taking these verses out of context if I told you everyone needed to sell all that they have and give it to the poor. However, the themes of minimalism and managing less are certainly prevalent themes in the ministry of Jesus. Therefore, it’s healthy for us to question and interact with them.

In a previous post, I shared about my craving for less. For a simpler way of life. Read that post here. We are still working out what minimalism means to us in light of our Christianity. In light of Jesus’ example. However, since I last wrote that post we made one MAJOR change in our lives.

We downsized our home by half.

In the moving process, we were forced to purge things we didn’t really need. We had to be mindful and intentional about what we brought into our new home. Due to having less physical space, we carefully considered what we would be taking or purchasing. We promised to only bring or buy what we LOVED, so that we could curate a home that fit our needs, but also felt like a retreat from the world. From the stressors of life. From the burdens of full-time ministry.

And, friends…I’m not trying to romanticize it at all. We have had to make some hard choices in the process, but it has been the best decision we have EVER made.