Making Room To Give
Everything I own fits in a five feet tall, two feet wide, one foot deep locker. Of that space, about one square foot is devoted to my clothes. I've been wearing the same pair of sweats for three years. I've finally decided that I need to buy another pair of sweat bottoms so that I can work out in the cold and not get my sleeping pair dirty. The main thing holding me back is that I don't know if I have enough room in my "closet."
It's funny how easily we adapt to our environments. When people up-size in a home, they look at all the extra space and wonder how they're going to fill it. Then, a few years later, out of seemingly nowhere, the rooms and closets are filled, and they're wondering where to put their extra stuff. It works in reverse too. When they downsize, if they learn to let go and prioritize, they can limit themselves to the number of items needed to fit in any space.
At first, I used to stop myself and think how pathetic my life had become. I had only one pair of sweats that I wore day-in and day-out. Even though I could have spent fifteen dollars to buy another top or bottom, I didn't even have the room in my locker to hold them! But then, over time, that bewilderment turned into amazement. It's been three years, and I'm still wearing the same pair of sweats, and it's OK! the world hasn't ended. I'm not a pauper, and no on has commented on my lack of sartorial options. Though they've thinned out a bit, these trusty gray sweats are still completely functional. I look back to five years ago, when I was in the position of not having enough space because of an abundance of clothes, and I am amazed.
I was never a hoarder, and I firmly believe in the "if you haven't worn it in the last year, then get rid of it" principle. Yet, I still had mounds of clothes, and by extension things in general. When I think about the "last year" principle, how much therein is really worn on a regular- or even occasional- basis? Probably little. Yet we can't let go.
I look at my single pair of thinned-but-still-functional-and-worn-in sweats (I'm wearing them right now), and I am thankful. I'm thankful that I'm back at a stage in my life where everything I own can fit in my (hypothetical) car. I'm thankful that I'm beholden to nothing material. I'm thankful that I've reached a point in my life where my possessions in no way own me.
After twisting my own arm long enough, and with little incentive from some freezing mornings, I've finally decided to buy a second pair of sweats, as a Christmas present to myself. This Christmas, instead of giving people things they don't really need, make this an opportunity to give away what you don't really need, and you be giving yourself a present as well. I think of all the presents I've bought for others or received myself, which generally just took up space, I'm thankful for what I have. Now, if I can just find a little bit more room in my locker.
-Love Gary-
After reading his 2010 Christmas letter, I have decided to make space in my closets!
