Don't leave behind too much stuff.

I have too much stuff. You have too much stuff. There is just too much stuff. I can't remember exactly how I came across simple living and minimalism blogs, but I'm glad I did. In a way I guess I always had a bit of "minimalism" in me. I never liked shopping, and I hated malls. I often felt guilty or "bad" for buying something for myself other than basic clothes and food. And yet, I still had a lot of stuff.

I remember standing in my closet one day, and I was struck with the thought: I don't want my husband and baby to have to deal with all my stuff when I die. So much of it is useless, and I wouldn't want them to struggle with sorting through the obvious junk from the stuff that they feel like they'd need to keep because they believed I treasured it. 

Just because I own something doesn't mean I treasure it.

What an odd thought to think. Why would I then bother spending money on something or keeping it around (if it was a gift)...if it didn't bring me joy? Why would I expend precious mind space on useless clutter?

What brings people to hold onto 10 bottles of expired nail polish? Or shelves of books they will never read? Or a medicine cabinet of medicines and vitamins they will never take? Or clothes that will never fit again?

The more you think about it the more absurd it feels. And for the items that exist in our homes that we don't use...how many people in our communities are in need of those items? These could be winter coats. Food we don't like. Baby clothes.

If you take anything from this post it is this: Don't leave behind too much stuff for your loved ones to have to deal with. It will be hard enough for them to deal with your permanent absence. Don't add another layer of pain and confusion on what stuff to keep and what to give away and what to give to another family member, etc. You'd be wasting their grieving time with your junk.