Less Is More

Observing my life now that I’ve been retired a full year, I’ve notice something. Certain expectable wants seem to have pretty much gone away. I’m referring to things such as home furnishings, jewelry, garden enhancements, and catalog “eyecatchers” –items that once would have tempted me to squander unbudgeted funds. While I have replaced some objects that weren’t going to “go the distance” I have no desire to spend money other than on everyday necessities. It’s a nice feeling, restful even.

My desires have shifted, adjusting and adapting to accommodate my new reality: I need to own less, not more. I’m not replacing every houseplant that withers; my bookshelves are happily donating volumes to neighborhood thrift stores; cherished belongings are slowly finding new homes. I’ve made friends with the process of downsizing, and freedom is taking on new dimensions. Thankfully, I’ve had time to accustom myself to a new way of thinking.

What I wish for myself now is streamlined: reasonably good health, flexibility, and continued enthusiasm for discovering new perspectives in life. An unhampered, down-to-earth, joyous existence lived in such a way that respects those who will tidy up after I’m gone. I’ve seen what happens when individuals leave their accumulated belongings piled in seemingly endless mountains of worn out, out-of-date, obsolete and useless items mixed in with dusty memorabilia. Family members are left trying to salvage important assets while honoring their loved ones. It can be exhausting –not a pretty picture.

Being retired is unveiling a blessing I wasn’t expecting. The thought of downsizing initially made me feel like my life was somehow going to be diminished. The definition of diminish is to make less or cause to appear less. Looking closer, cause to appear less intrigues me. Phaedrus famously said, “Things are not always as they seem.” In fact, owning less is slowly making my life feel LARGER. It’s my desires that have diminished, not my life.

“Less is more” is a phrase used in today’s world indicating that having only essential things is better than having way too many superfluous things. I’m not a minimalist nor do I aspire to become one. Nevertheless, I have moved from apprehension to pleasant anticipation as my wants disappear, replaced by growing contentment as I “lose” my belongings.