Much More Than Decorating - Downsize Your Way To Abundant Life! -   by Kimberly Clay

Many of us have heard the old adage "less is more" at some point in our lives, but rarely have we taken the time to consider what the phrase really means, or how putting such an idea into action on a daily basis may help us to live more fulfilling lives.

These days, countless numbers of us are attempting to live our lives in ways that will help us to feel a greater sense of satisfaction and contentment. We seek to prioritize different life aspects in the quest for a balance that works most favorably for us, and from which we may receive the most pleasure and benefit. What in the heck does any of that have to do with decorating, you ask? The answer is: a great deal.

The arrangement of our homes and personal space purposely and consequently makes a statement to the rest of the world about "who we are" as individuals. It is an expression of our inner selves made manifest in the physical world, much as artistic work is an extension of the creativity possessed of a sculptor, painter or musician. Oftentimes, our décor is also a reflection of our lives and circumstance, with telltale signs offering revealing glimpses into the conditions in which we find ourselves.

Here are some examples of how the arrangement of our personal space may be perceived by the rest of the world, and the conclusions or assumptions that may come about as a result:

If your home or space is full of things old and out-of-date; furniture that’s obviously not been recovered or updated, wallpaper or paint colors that look dull, stale or not in tune with current interior design, accessories and mementos that have been kept, but not arranged or displayed in any meaningful way, then you’re sending a message to those around you that you’re trapped in the past. You are communicating that what you value most is past, and that the present and the potential the future may hold are not meaningful or significant to you.

In another example, if you have a space filled with objects that appear non-related or disjointed, you give the impression that you lack an ability to concentrate your attention and energies in a focused or meaningful way. The same is true if a space has too many items. It again gives a sense of your inability to concentrate or focus. It appears that you cannot make up your mind as to what is important, so rather than make a decision, you just keep everything.

Many people are engaged in activities whose primary purpose is to produce "more and better". They collect and acquire and acquire and collect until they find themselves in a situation that is totally off balance and out of control. What these people fail to realize is that "more" does not always equal "better". In fact, many times the opposite is true. If you are constantly working to have more, you eventually run out of space to store more and have to get a bigger place to house more. This then requires you to work harder to obtain the means to acquire more space which you then have to fill with more stuff, and it becomes a vicious cycle. In a related circumstance, if you obtain more stuff that you keep in the same size space, eventually you reach a point where you run out of space, which can lead to a sense of being greatly overwhelmed or "boxed in" and you find yourself in a state of stagnation. Change and stagnation are mutually exclusive and cannot coexist. Your circumstances are then prevented from getting better, because change cannot occur.

In my life, I have met very few people who would not welcome positive change in their lives and circumstances. If any of these examples sound familiar to you and you are interested in promoting positive change in your life, you may want to re-think the arrangement of your space. Here are a few ways to get started:

First, clear out your closets. If you, your spouse or your children have not worn an item within the past twelve months, get rid of it. There are so many people who could benefit from what you have that you’re not using, and the space you free up will provide you with a sense of order and organization, renewal and potential.

Second, take a good hard look at your storage areas; cupboards, cabinets, display shelves. Are you using the items you have stored? Are the items you have displayed reflective of the environment you want to create for visitors and guests? Do they reflect a sense of beauty, joy, peace or abundance in your home or space? Are they demonstrative of some aspect of your personality, your focus, your interests? If not, why do you have them?

Finally, evaluate your use of furniture. Are the pieces you have functional? Do they compliment one another even if they represent different styles, decorative periods or color combinations? And do they bring you a sense of comfort and enjoyment? If not, it may be time to get rid of those pieces that are undesirable and replace them with something new or different.

More than anything else, abundance is a sense of well-being. It doesn’t mean simply having a lot or having more. One way to achieve a sense of abundance and well-being is by shedding what we no longer need or desire, and letting go of that which is no longer useful to our purpose. By doing so, we place ourselves in a better position to receive that which is new, better and more desirable to us.

Downsizing need not be a negative experience. In fact, it can have very positive and favorable results. And if we are to experience growth, development and positive life changes, don’t we have to make room for those things to occur? Think about it.

Kimberly Clay is a businesswoman, public speaker and freelance writer whose published work includes online and hard copy magazine articles and short stories. She is currently focusing her talents in the areas of interior design, antiques and collectables where she has over thirty years combined experience. She is passionate about the ability of every individual to enjoy stylish and comfortable living. Visit her website to subscribe to her upcoming newsletter
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This article Copyright ©2004 - Kimberly Clay and StylishComfort. Reproduced with permission.