This weekend is our neighborhood’s annual garage sale.  This is our first year in this neighborhood and I couldn’t believe the amount of cars lined up along both sides of every street.  Tons and tons of people swarming yards full of junk.  Haggling for more j-u-n-k.

I totally get that there are so many awesome deals out there.  On junk.  I got my 4 year old boy a pair of Hulk smashing hands for $3.00.  Totally a steal!

But this isn’t so much about downsizing your stuff.  Well, unless you are a hoarder, then by all means, get rid of your stuff.

I – di- gress…

I have friends that are pulling their daughter off the swim team.  The world might tell them that their daughter will miss out on that valuable time of core training.  But instead, they were noticing that it was taking up too much of their life.  TOO MUCH.  They saw the value in having more family time and less chaos over the next two years and are saying goodbye.  For now.

What about you?  Before you downsize, you need to evaluate what matters most to you and your family.  What are the things that needs to stay and what are some things that you might be able to say goodbye to for a season?

A good purge could do your heart some good.  Maybe it will be good things that you say goodbye to.  You may experience some bittersweet moments or perhaps, even some grieving.  It will be okay.  Your future self will reach back and give you a hug and say,

“I’m so glad you made that tough choice and let go of __________.  Look how much you were able to relax and flourish.”

It’s just like a tree.  If it’s overgrown and has a bunch of tree suckers.  Just today I learned that tree suckers are those mind of their own branches that grow at the base or roots of a tree.  The tree becomes distressed and often times responds this way.  It then sucks all the life and energy out of the plant.  You may then notice that your, once beautiful tree, is looking a little lifeless and faint!

That’s just like us!  If we are stressed and trying to go in too many directions at once, those less important things at the bottom will suck the life right out of us!

What are the suckers in your life today?  What areas of your life might you like to downsize?

Maybe wandering around at garage sales is therapeutic for you?  Then go for it!  You may just find yourself some valuable Hulk hands!