Pick your poison. You could be over-acquired, over-worked, over-scheduled, or all of the above. So ask yourself, are you over-joyed or over-whelmed?
If you’ve reached your max and you have lost control, it’s imperative to re-evaluate your time-management and your acquired possessions. Moreover, if you have increasingly less and less time for things you enjoy doing, that’s your red flag. Your wake-up call is ringing.
Over-scheduling is generally not our intention, it just kind of happens, right? It’s often a gradual process that creeps up on us. But if we really look at it, it’s more about over-committing (fear of saying “no” and disappointing others) and under-estimating the time in which to get things done. The fix for that is more simply said than done, but nonetheless doable. Learn to say “no ,” graciously. Don’t bite off more than you can chew, and always allow yourself more wiggle room in your day. At the end of the day, both of these strategies are huge stress reducers.
Over-abundance can be both a blessing and a curse. We all love the shiny new toys, and that’s fine if we can afford it and have room for it. For some, it’s surrendering to acquiring more watches, sneakers, or technology, but how many sneakers or watches are too many? When does it become too much? For others, it could be excessive clothing, candles, jewelry, or kid’s toys. The conundrum is really when we can’t seem to part with the old rusty ones. No matter what the guilty pleasures are, there needs to be an incoming and an outgoing flow. One in, one out.
Continually acquiring more, without regard to letting go of the less desirable things is going to impede on more than your wallet. Compulsive shopping can overwhelm your spaces. Consider the consequences. If there is only incoming and little or no outgoing, that’s a lot of stuff. It’s not about the size of the house at all, it’s about how you think about the possessions you have.
Buying something new to replace something old is sensible. Keeping material things that you never use, is senseless. If you don’t use them, then they are virtually of no value to you. Donate, donate, donate. There are people less fortunate that really need the stuff you’re merely storing.
To avoid “material overload, ” make sure that your home and contents reflect who you are today. Create a home, not a museum. Surround yourself with your favorite things and live with less clutter. Your time, your things, and your spaces should all be aligned with your current values and lifestyles. Examine your priorities carefully and strive to sync your schedule and acquisitions accordingly.
Find your balance, your own unique life rhythm. Be over-joyed, not over-whelmed.
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