The idea of downsizing totally appeals to me. The seven-bedroom house in Connecticut made sense (not really, but hey) when we had kids at home, but now that they’re grown, not so much. Now that the dogs are dead, too (the kids are still alive, thank God, so no need for condolences), the place feels like a freaking mausoleum.
On top of that, we spend more time in Ireland these days than stateside. Try as we might, we can’t think of a logical reason to keep that big house.
God, the junk we have. The three car-garage, the two basements, and every closet we own are just loaded with crap we haven’t used in years.This is one of the reasons we haven’t pulled the plug.
It’s no wonder I’ve been reading books about simplifying one’s life, about eliminating the junk. And here are three that I absolutely love:
This #1 New York Times best-selling guide to decluttering your home from Japanese cleaning consultant Marie Kondo takes readers step-by-step through her revolutionary KonMari Method for simplifying, organizing, and storing.With detailed guidance for determining which items in your house “spark joy” (and which don’t), this international bestseller featuring Tokyo’s newest lifestyle phenomenon will help you clear your clutter and enjoy the unique magic of a tidy home—and the calm, motivated mindset it can inspire.
From simple living, decluttering, and finances, to passion, health, and relationships, ESSENTIAL is for anyone who desires a more intentional life. I love these short, consumable essays. It makes me want to fly back to the U.S right this minute and get rid of practically EVERYTHING.
The world is changing. Markets have crashed. Jobs have disappeared. Industries have been disrupted and are being remade before our eyes. Everything we aspired to for “security,” everything we thought was “safe,” no longer is: College. Employment. Retirement. Government. It’s all crumbling down. In every part of society, the middlemen are being pushed out of the picture. No longer is someone coming to hire you, to invest in your company, to sign you, to pick you. It’s on you to make the most important decision in your life: Choose Yourself. OK, on the surface this doesn’t look like a book about simplifying, but it is. It’s about getting rid of debt–including the big house–before you get eaten alive. By the way, some of the ideas in this book will horrify you, which makes for some great reading.
