Now that I've stopped accumulating stuff ...

I don't have a lot of that free time yet since I'm still a mom and still in college, but I plan on volunteering my time. Volunteer work is very rewarding.

Hi Anne Marie, it sounds like you have simplified a lot. Well done!!. What exactly have you simplified if you don't mind me asking?
Cariad

In terms of What did I simplify ... I guess I have just realized how much I went Shopping! Mostly for Fashion. LOL! And then I spent so much time watching what other people were wearing, and what sort of phone they had (iPhone!!!) - and what sort of car they drove, and which restaurants were they frequenting - and where is everyone vacationing ...

That kind of stuff, you know?

I have DEFINITELY been thinking of volunteering. Been thinking a lot about Meals on Wheels or maybe a nursing home nearby. My heart is with the elderly, I think. But I also dream of maybe making a pilgrimage to Dharamsala - and possibly working with Tibetan children - or also I think of Calcutta and working with the children of Mother Theresa's Orphanage. I don't know. Those are Big Dreams I guess. But anything is possible ...

I reccomend volunteering. I am not doing any volunteer work at present but I have in the past and I can highly reccomend it. I am lucky that my full time paid job enables me to support others in ways I never thought I could.

If you have spare time I would also reccommend spending more time in nature if this is at all possible for you. For me time in nature connects me to what is important in life.

I love simplifying my life, i am worried though that I am getting slightly obsessed with all this de cluttering that I am doing.
Cariad

Do you have or like dogs? If you like helping the elderly than becoming a therapy dog volunteer is an extremely noble cause. I have a lab that did hearing dog training but decided he didn't want to be a hearing dog (*giggle* silly dog is too smart for his own good), but! he is very aware of people's emotions. He's right there if someone is upset...nudging them until they get out of whatever is getting them down. So I've been thinking about training him (and me!) to be therapy dog for nursing homes.

Hi Cariad! What you said here: "I love simplifying my life, i am worried though that I am getting slightly obsessed with all this de cluttering that I am doing."

I worry about that TOO! :-) I am completely obsessed with de-cluttering and I worry I will have nothing left in my house soon. HA!

Oh - and about Nature - YES! I have been so extremely blessed lately. I just moved to another state and the Snow/Winter here is INCREDIBLE! Also - my Significant Other took a job at a ski resort so, ahem ... SEASONS PASS!

Yah - I'm feeling EXTREMELY RICH - if not in money, then in the wonderment of Nature and the beautiful Snow!!!

And yes - I am a HUGE dog lover, and I definitely like the idea from ZionOKC about dogs for the elderly :-) What a wonderful charity that is. Also - as an animal lover, there are opportunities to work with horses for the blind or children with other disabilities. It's really wonderful how animals can be used for therapy - and really to lift spirits!

~Anne Marie

Hi Anne Marie, I think that you are very lucky it sounds beautiful in your part of the world. Please let me know how your Zen intro day goes.
At present im getting rid of all my shoes apart from the essentaials (1 pair of converse,1 pair pair of flat black boots and a pair of trainers for the gym). Ive given lots away and i'm selling a few pairs on ebay. I have minimised my clothes loads too. The one thing i'm struggling with is my books. I practice Kadampa Buddhism so I want to keep my dharma books and I dont buy or keep hold of non fiction. The books that I accumulate and buy are the self help/insparational variety. I either need to buy a book shelf as I don't have one at present and the books are not neatly organised or I need to just give tham all to the charity shop. I have alredy given quite a lot of them to charity. It's so freeing letting go of things........
Cariad

Since you both are talking about decluttering...how do you decide how much clothes is the right about? I still can't figure that one out. LOL Darn being a female!!!

to recognize full. Don't worry about filling the space - it either fills itself or it stays empty, but you can't force it. Otherwise, you've replaced one type of clutter for another.

Filling the space! Perhaps you could fill the space with silence, peace, love? I was just over at this couple's house which is two stories and very spacious, and only the two of them live there. I thought, "Gee, this is a big space for two people," but as long as the space is filled with love and peace, I suppose it can't be too bad.

to recognize full. Don't worry about filling the space - it either fills itself or it stays empty, but you can't force it. Otherwise, you've replaced one type of clutter for another.

-"paradigmshifted"

Yes. There's nothing wrong with stuff. If you understand the futility of being attached to stuff (and the desire for more stuff), there's no reason you can't be surrounded by tons of it, and still be at peace. Recognize the futility in trying to obtain happiness through de-cluttering, because you'll never find the bottom of the pile.

You all are so wise!

I have indeed known one or two people who became as obsessed with their decluttering and "simple" lifestyle as they were with the "stuff" they had before. Or...in another twist...obsessed with converting everyone else to the point where I began to realize, these people need to learn how to entertain themselves...they are bored!

I think you've received wonderful suggestions...volunteering, traveling, reading, getting out in nature, spending time with animals or children. I would add that making things with your hands can become a wonderful way to spend time simply....it could be gardening, cooking, some kind of art/craft. In short...perhaps you need a hobby...whether it's creating something, doing something...and you will meet people with similar interests and who aren't so into just "stuff, stuff, stuff".

And yes...I agree with Brian. There is nothing wrong with stuff unless it runs your life. Each person has to find that right balance. For example, I am not that comfortable in a minimalist environment in my home. On the other hand, too much clutter and I practically break out in hives. I've discovered my balance. But it's more than just how many things we have...it's how we acquire them, manage them, and how much value we put on them that really makes the difference.