Layers of an Onion

I heard it said before that decluttering, simplifying, minimizing (whatever you want to call it) is like peeling an onion - you peel away one layer at a time. I've been doing this for quite a while (decluttering), and I just got to the layer that makes my eyes tear up. This is the layer that is a little bit uncomfortable.

As we moved our belongings from a 4000 sq foot house into a 2000 sq foot house this weekend, we began to realize it wasn't all going to fit. We were prepared for this, but not at the level we are actually facing.

I know it's just stuff, but some of it holds memories and that's the part that is making me cry a little. I still have the memories - regardless of the item that evokes them. No one can take the memories from me.

I am determined to keep a spacious feel to our home. I do not want every nook and cranny filled with stuff. I do not want to move a set of bowls to get a plate out of my cupboards. As hard as it is, I know this is a good place to be in (the physical house and the state of having to pare down even more). When it feels really hard, I think of the houses I saw in Peru. Going back to those stories and photos puts it all in perspective for me and I'm thankful for the abundance God has blessed us with.