I've been getting guidance lately about appreciating what I already have. It is good advice on all levels.

Here's my latest article applying this guidance to physical possessions:

Being Satisfied with Enough

What do you think?

I loved this article! I even linked to it in my Frugal Living forum, under the thread of Do you have too much stuff?

I agree with all your points! And with hoarding, I know about that. There was a period when i was married that I needed to have as many things around me as possible to feel safe. Weird, yeah.

I have read your article. And I really liked it. It is wonderfully written by you. Even I am going to share it in some other forum.

Thank you both! I went off and continued to sort through some of my own stuff, only to find a very nice, newish skirt that needs a small mend- I'd forgotten about it!

Hoarding is a very interesting habit & a big subject in its own right. Things don't solve the issues, but lots of people do this, so there is something to ponder here. I feel it is an insulation against the issue.

It is like an insulation, maybe like making a cocoon around one's self.

This is really well done! I have seen similar things before, but I really like some of the twists you added with your questions to ask ones self. I wrote them down and i am going to carry them between rooms as I declutter.
It has been taking me forever to declutter. I think because i am not using a good standard when I evaluate why I have something, so it's easy to convince myself that it'll come in handy, I am not sure if I want it or not, etc.
That extra stuff needs to go! I think stuff sort of owns you back, because you are responsible for it. I want things I care about in my life, not ho-hum stuff.

A cocoon is an interesting symbol Jilly. Perhaps decluttering encourages the butterfly to emerge?

Yes life is more important than the 'ho-hum' stuff- great phrase! Clutter can keep us locked in the past and stops us feeling free to move on. Don't ask, 'Will it come in useful?' because you'll always come up with a tenuous reason why it might! Ask, "Do I love it?" or "Do I use it?"

Thank of decluttering as an ongoing process, release just a few bits a day, rather than overwhelming yourself if you get stuck.