Stress n' Things

Stress and things have a strong partnership. They are as notorious as Bonnie and Clyde.

Stress goes with lots of stuff...or does it necessarily?

Of course, any discussion of getting one's life in order should start with what you have that you dont need. What you need to get rid of, what clutter can you eliminate and what things can you dispose of in effort to simplify and cleanse your life of unneeded stress.

I think that getting rid of things is most refreshing myself.

One thing I have learned though, is that some things are worth having if they help to decrease your stress instead of add to it.

It's not necessarily a matter of a less stressed you needing no "stuff", it's just that you need the right "stuff".

Having the right items around you that help you stay organized and feel less frazzled, these are good things to hold onto. Some things can add to your overall sense of peaceful living, and these are things worth having.

In the course of the last few years, as my focus as turned so much to decreasing stress in my own life I have been very purposeful in looking for and keeping things that help inspire peace, and getting rid of the ones that don't.
Some tips I go by ...

* If I don't have a place for it, then it's not worth the stress. If I think it IS worth the stress, I will get rid of something else to make room for it. But I dont have place for it, no matter how fabulous it is I dont want it.

* If having it helps me manage my resources well in one way or another, keep it...the key to that one is not to keep it if you THINK it should help you manage your resources, but if it actually DOES help you manage your resources well (that treadmill in the corner collecting clothes? ..yeah, I have one too, but it it worth the stress it causes?)

* If it stresses me out to look at it ..get rid of it. If its clothes that havent fit in 5 years, a picture frame I hate, dishes dont match or a purse that is ugly. ..get rid of it.  There are too many things to love out there, lets not waste our space or pennies on stuff that we dont like!

* If I dont have the resources to take care of it or maintain it - nuh uh. If it creates stress by how much attention it needs, then its not worth it.

* If it makes me smile when I see or use it, keep it. Its a winner.


Having things is not a bad thing. It's being choosy about what things you have, keep and maintain. All things require resources at one point or another, its up to you to make sure the resources they require are worthy of what you have to give to it.

Over the next week I want to share some things with you that I have deemed worthy of my resources. Some of them are things I have talked about before (i.e., "Less Stress Tools") , some I will share for the first time.

To get things started though ..let's do a giveaway of a thing that just may help you live more peacefully ..what do you say?!

{Welcome ifellowshippers ..so glad you came to visit!}