In Part 3, section 2 of our series, we focus on having freedom in, with, and because of our physical possessions. They can add hospitality and ease to our lives, or clutter can overwhelm and suppress us. This is a big topic, so buckle up!

Our physical possessions can add a unique sense of freedom to our lives by adding in comfort, efficiency, productivity, beauty, and enjoyment. Why is this so important in our lives?

When we have a certain number of physical possessions, we relax, we have less fear, we offer more hospitality to others, and we expand ourselves at every level. We can be more productive and even have less wear and tear on our bodies because of our amazing modern appliances. Aren’t you grateful you do not have to wash all your clothes by hand in the river?

Remember your first furniture at college or as you made your way into the world? While maybe it was all you could afford at that time, you were grateful for it at the time. However, how did it make you feel to get rid of the cinder block or plastic milk case “bookshelves” and buy a real wood book case? Or to let go of the worn-out, broken-down sofa for your first leather couch or recliner? Better quality possessions often indicate personal achievement and improved wealth, which feels great in our lives.

Wonderful possessions bring function and beauty into our homes. Beauty in our physical spaces has a unique effect on us; it helps us relax, to feel “at home,” to offer up more hospitality to others, it touches our souls, and to rest and rejuvenate ourselves.

However, the opposite feeling can occur when we have too much clutter, too many things, and a chaotic or messy place. Clutter drains our creative energy and can increase anxiety and hopelessness. We may also have financial troubles because we purchased too much on credit or have to work extra hours to pay the mortgage on time. We also lose out on social connections because we may not want to invite others over. Sometimes our homes reflect where we are emotionally- do we feel hopeful and energetic and happy and confident about our future? Do we feel despair, grief, and hopeless, or lack of control in our lives? Our homes, garages, and other spaces reflect so much about our current or past state of life.

As you read these questions, take the time to really think about your answers. Pray about them, journal about them, and see where you have increased awareness and can take some action.

1. Ways to increase freedom with your possessions, your home, etc:
2. When you look around your home, what do you LOVE about it?
3. What appliances are multi-use and your favorite?
4. What kitchen gadgets or tools help you be more productive in your daily life?
5. When did you last express gratitude for these tools?
6. When you look around your home, what things bring BEAUTY to your spaces?
7. When you look around your home, what brings you stress and chaos about it?
8. Do your things support the life you want to live today and in the future?
9. Do your things cost you excess time and money to manage, clean, organize, etc that is beyond the normal amount of time it takes for regular cleanings?
10. Do you often buy doubles of things because you cannot really see what you already have?
11. Do you pay for a storage unit to store your extra things?
12. Can you park in or use your garage for projects, or is it over flowing with excess stuff?
13. Do you have extra buildings or sheds on your property that are full of things you never use?
14. Is your home too big for your budget and financial position, but too small for all your possessions?
15. Does managing your possessions take up time that could better be used pursuing family time, your goals, working out, or things you LOVE?
16. Do you struggle with credit card debt from too many purchases for things that you don’t even use or love after a short time?
17. Are you overwhelmed with how to even get started to taking the chaos in your home?
18. Do you joke or laugh that you will just leave it all for your kids to clean up after you are gone? (and you fully intend to, no joke!)
19. Do you wish that you could just pick and move but the thought of packing everything up is so overwhelming, you can’t even think about it?
20. Have you stopped inviting friends over because of the state of your home?
21. Have you given up on keeping your home clean, organized, and beautiful because the rest of your family adds to the chaos or doesn’t seem to care?
22. Is it hard to let go of things because you think you might need them in the future, or you paid good money for it, or it is part of your past or potential future?
23. What is one step you could take today to start getting your physical house in order so you can have more freedom?

This is an area of my life that I have been working on for the past few years. Both of my parents passed away in the last 6 years and my sister and I were left 60 plus years of possessions to deal with. It has been beyond exhausting on every level to sort through it, throw away trash, sell things, donate etc. We have spent thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours of our time dealing with it.  Yes, we have some cherished things we hold dear from our parents and will pass down in our family. I am grateful for those things. At other times it has made me want to pack a backpack and simply walk away from it all.

I have learned some very valuable lessons for my own life about what FREEDOM in my own home and possessions needs to look like. I’ve embraced parts of minimalism and parts of beauty over function. I still struggle to let go of books, sentimental items and hobby supplies. I am about 65% there but still have a way to go. I could finally park my car in the garage this year! A win!

Let us bring more FREEDOM back into our homes and physical spaces by cleaning them up. Order is one of Heaven’s divine laws of wealth! Let us beautify our homes, feel at peace in them, invite our loved ones and friends over for good times and shared meals, and create a restful haven for ourselves to help re-set our nervous systems after time in a crazy world!