The Simple Life: Much Tougher than Paris Hilton Let on
So, I'm not a minimalist. I have books and mementos and movies and half finished knitting projects piled all over my apartment. I've moved a stack of New Yorkers that weighs more than I do to three different homes. I like to surround myself with stuff -- not anything expensive or especially impressive (unless you count 45 Smurf glasses as impressive ... and I do), just possessions that mean a lot to me. As my sister says, "I like to be hugged by my things."
Lately, however, I've felt a little claustrophobic. Everything seems to be smothering me, from phone calls to my massive amounts of stuff ... even my hair is uncomfortably long. A simplified lifestyle sounds appealing. I think I could get rid of half of my belongings and still be comfortable ... still be cluttered, even. And I'm pretty sure I'd be happier.
I planned to sell stuff, both on ebay and at garage sales, as the cheap women trudged into autumn. But that process seems daunting and exhausting. Does ebay really pay off? Do I even have the time to photograph and list hundreds of belongings?
Just giving my things away sounds most appealing: I'd love to box it all up, load it on a truck and dump it at Goodwill. But is that responsible? I could reason that donating (rather than selling) is charitable, because I'm giving things to those who can't afford it. But am I really being charitable, or just lazy? Is it irresponsible to choose not to take a possible opportunity to pay off some debt?
I am so afraid of being stingy (or mean, or selfish) that I give too much sometimes. Part of me wants to give everything away and not take money for it, but the other part of me opens the credit card bills. Is this a matter of faith or economics? Does God want me to give everything away so that my financial peace really comes from Him and not from a sense that I've earned it, or has He provided this chance to sell what I don't need (to pay for what I never should have bought)?
Shout Outs:
ANNA ... for the best cupcakes I've ever had ... seriously!
CARRIGANS ... for the pizza
JOHN ... for pizza
Lately, however, I've felt a little claustrophobic. Everything seems to be smothering me, from phone calls to my massive amounts of stuff ... even my hair is uncomfortably long. A simplified lifestyle sounds appealing. I think I could get rid of half of my belongings and still be comfortable ... still be cluttered, even. And I'm pretty sure I'd be happier.
I planned to sell stuff, both on ebay and at garage sales, as the cheap women trudged into autumn. But that process seems daunting and exhausting. Does ebay really pay off? Do I even have the time to photograph and list hundreds of belongings?
Just giving my things away sounds most appealing: I'd love to box it all up, load it on a truck and dump it at Goodwill. But is that responsible? I could reason that donating (rather than selling) is charitable, because I'm giving things to those who can't afford it. But am I really being charitable, or just lazy? Is it irresponsible to choose not to take a possible opportunity to pay off some debt?
I am so afraid of being stingy (or mean, or selfish) that I give too much sometimes. Part of me wants to give everything away and not take money for it, but the other part of me opens the credit card bills. Is this a matter of faith or economics? Does God want me to give everything away so that my financial peace really comes from Him and not from a sense that I've earned it, or has He provided this chance to sell what I don't need (to pay for what I never should have bought)?
Shout Outs:
ANNA ... for the best cupcakes I've ever had ... seriously!
CARRIGANS ... for the pizza
JOHN ... for pizza
4 Comments:
dude. i have some things that i've been wanting to get rid of, and i, too, have had the battle of "give away, or sell". but i just can't get the energy to ebay them. BUT yesterday one of my friends met a random girl in the parking lot who was buying her chacos from craig's list. she tried them on and handed my friend two 20s. amazing. apparently it's easier than ebay and you don't have to post pictures, although you can, and people still buy your stuff. plus no shipping hassle and/or cost! you should try it! although i don't really know how it works...
thank you for enjoying them!
Here's some hope: I just had a garage sale this weekend and made over $500. I was shocked. But my house is less cluttered and my basement is empty - everything from unused shampoos to a battered leather couch went. And a word of warning - the Goodwill around our area throws most of its donations right into the garbage bin outside. :(
Ditto Garage sale or Craigs list. See what actually has value and sell that. Other stuff you can give away, if its not worth the hastle.
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