Dear Pogue,

My preparation to move home is progressing. As you are aware the decision has been taken to downsize considerably. I’m thinking that over the prolonged lockdown an awareness of how much space there is and what percentage was being used has been highlighted.

This means that more than half the possessions will have to go. Furniture is being sold, donated and given away😳. Cupboard contents are also finding they way to others and to charity shops or, well, just to the recycling centre. Books? I once had a library, remember that? Well by the time the moving day comes there will be little more than a bookcase’s worth. Friday the remaining garden tools were put into a pile to go. Again, remember when there was an acre of garden and a gardener?

How vastly life has changed over the last 10 years as apartment living lays ahead and you know what? I think I am becoming happier as the journey progresses. I really do😌. You see I have had to determine what really has value, what is important and over a period I’m sure that has changed. I’ve been through my wardrobe(s) and all I owned, all to make me look good(?). To make the right impression. Now? I will be making far less of a statement.

There is a growing feeling of space and a sense of freedom that I didn’t realise wasn’t actually there. Like a healthy space that had become filled with possession taking up not only room but also attention and time.

Now, it’s like being able to breath, but not air. Rather taking in something that nourishes my soul. Sound crazy? I guess it is and I am sure most will not understand. I remember when travelling, occasionally thinking and being caught by thoughts of “I hope everything is Ok at home” and that was directed towards inanimate objects!

Travel’s returning, slowly. Will I find that leaving less behind means leaving the need to worry behind? What a blessing that will be. You know, I am learning, after so many years, less really is more. To have only things that add to life and to be able to focus attention and awareness there. To learn to appreciate the things I have🤔.

Minimalism isn’t about removing the things you love. It’s about removing the things that distract you from the things you love.

Joshua Becker

Here’s a challenge. No, here’s a game for the coming week. As you go about your day observe your possessions and ask yourself, “Do I need this, does it add to life, have I used it in a year or does it just gather dust?” If it doesn’t make the cut, get rid of it. Don’t place your security in possessions. Don’t attempt to gain status by accumulating things. That isn’t the path to freedom.

Yours, creating more space,

Wic.