This is the time of year when the walls of my home seem like they are closing in on me. The clutter in my home creates a persistent anxiety in my soul. The accumulation of stuff throughout the year seems to be bursting forth from every nook and cranny, and I start to panic because I am very aware that in a few more weeks, my home will take on even more stuff. If I don’t do something about it now, my mind and body will be taken over, and I will be forced to dig my way to the kitchen.
My remedy for this includes a huge garbage bag and a few hours while my kids are away at school.
I have to say, my dopamine starts firing as soon as I start gathering loose papers and random McDonald’s happy meal toys. The fuller the garbage bag gets, the more calm and centered my spirit becomes.
There is something about simplifying that creates balance and serenity within me; I’m not the first person to feel this way.
In recent years, books on simplification and “de-cluttering” have become extremely popular, and for good reason; neuroscience shows that an uncluttered living environment actually enhances focus, productivity and mood.
The theme of “purging the home” is a common topic of conversation amongst my fellow “mom” friends; it is one that invokes passion as we cheer each other on and celebrate our transformed environment. It also sparks conversations around the upcoming giving season and alternative ways to approach this period of consumerism and decadence. We all desire to “cut back” this year and “get back to what really matters.”
But, how does this happen? Where do we begin?
Personally, I believe it all starts with gratitude and deep recognition of life in the here and now.
Perhaps this is the reason the holiday season commences in November with Thanksgiving.
It’s easy for me to get caught up in the frenzy of black friday emails while purging my home of last years indulgences. It is a cycle that seems ludicrous if we really stop to think about it. We buy and collect and consume to be happy; yet we also purge, and clean and dump to be happy. Hmmm….something seems a bit off here.
An article in Time magazine reported on an experiment conduced by the University in Zurich in Switzerland studying happiness.
Fifty people were told they would be receiving $50 in the next week. Half were told to commit to spending that money on themselves, and the other half was told to spend it on someone else.
MRI scans on both groups indicated that those who planned on spending the money on others showed increased activity in the regions of the brain associated with happiness and altruism.
They even reported being happier after the experiment was over!
The study also showed that it didn’t matter how generous a person imagined being; even being a little generous made a difference in their overall mood and outlook.
Other research has suggested that making generosity a part of a lifelong habit proves to influence long term well being and satisfaction. https://time.com/4857777/generosity-happiness-brain/
And get this, research shows that older people who have made generosity a habit have better health; moreover, there is even a correlation between generosity and longer life expectancies! This could be a result of reduction in stress. Accumulation seems to clutter our minds over time; when we give away what we have, we don’t have that constant feeling of being overwhelmed.
It is complicated to pinpoint the exact influence generosity has on the human mind and body. However, there is something to it because the concept of life simplification in regards to material possessions has become a rapidly growing trend in the United States.
I recently have seen this play out at birthday parties I’ve attended with my children. My daughter has been invited to two parties within the last year where party hosts have requested that guests bring donations to a charitable organization rather than gifts.
And this theme didn’t stop at children’s birthday parties. I recently attended an adult neighborhood cocktail party; the price of admission: Donations.
As I reflect on my own community, my heart is drawn to organizations that directly impact and affect the most vulnerable around me. I am grateful that an organization like With Love is so accessible to my community, both in resources and partnership.
Recently Oregon Business recognized the best 100 non profits in Oregon. With Love was listed as one that is making a recognizable difference in the local community.
https://www.oregonbusiness.com/100best/nonprofit/item/18871-2019-100-best-nonprofits-to-work-for-in-oregon
As the holiday season commences, With Love has launched various opportunities to get involved with foster care. https://www.withloveoregon.org/get-involved
Opportunities in the warehouse rotate to provide different ways to be involved.
The holidays bring added jobs and projects as well as requests for specific winter related items:
- snow and rain boots,
-new socks,
-coats and warm clothing
-cold care items like infant and children’s tylenol.
With the holidays on the horizon, consider creative ways to contribute to the needs of others. How can we promote generosity and true “goodwill in our community?”
Perhaps donating time or material goods to With Love can be on the Christmas Wish List this year. It won’t be broken or forgotten and it definitely won’t add to the all consuming clutter.
