"How much time do we really have to DO all of THIS...” by Heather Hutchinson, BS

I just don't have enough time." 
~Insert sad/frustrated emoji face~


I hear time & time again.
People, including myself,
growing frustrated because of
ALL OF THEY HAVE TO DO, 
which results in a lifestyle playing
"catch up" and never
​                                                 actually catching up or having time to
live a meaningful life.

​The rat race of time in life seems to be a common problem. Often times, the constant patterns we allow in our lives consists of jam packed meaningless houses and schedules. Filled with events and to do's that do not add value or joy in our lives, yet for some reason we keep adding it to our calendars and checking off the list.  Our homes have become just another place for clutter and stress to sit and soak. Yet, somehow we think another cup of coffee, cocktail, or shopping spree will give us what we are looking for and a boost in our cluttered minds & schedules of life.

Most of my life, I have searched and analyzed how my personal uniqueness would contribute to this world and how to have enough time to fulfill it.

After a radical dream many years ago, communicating I have a limited number of days to fulfill my tasks, along with scriptural teachings reminding me of the same,  I began praying more, asking more, and testing more than ever. I fell in love with the concept of minimalism about 7-8 years ago. I was exhausted from moving 10 times in my young adult life, at that point, and dragging truck load after load with us each time. Each time dumpster diving for more boxes and packing up EVERYTHING in multiple loads, aching, sweaty bodies just to have ALL OF OUR THINGS and yet we still felt our home unsettling, cluttered, and definitely not restful. Not to mention, I would purchase additional home decore items to fill the new spaces of the home.

In 2011, Our gracious church family helped us renovate a storage/closet unit, approximately 45 sq. ft. to use as a bedroom for our newborn child. The storage closet, which was attached to the front of the home with an exterior entrance off the front of the porch. The guys closed off the exterior entrance, added an indoor entrance off of the kitchen/dining combo, replaced the window, insulated & drywalled the interior.  They painted, added a beautiful and functional pocket door, new light fixture, new carpet, and a baseboard heater. The room was large enough for a crib, small yet tall dresser, and a rocking chair w/ ottoman.

That room was fresh, bright, white, and most importantly peaceful. I found rest in his bedroom. The rest of the house was cluttered, dark, dreary, and stressful for me. I would sit in there and watch the birds from the window. I would take a deep breath and feel refreshed! I was a safe haven. It was a mental escape. And as a young mother of three, I needed rest, peace, and to feel refreshed. As I know, most of you do as well.

For the last 7-8 years, I have been in a surging pursuit to find my families minimalist style. We have removed so many items &  tasks from our lives, often feeling refreshed, yet we still have a ways to go. Recently, I made a list of EVERYTHING that came to mind within about 10 minutes, of ALL THE HOBBIES, ALL THE PLAY MANIPULATIVES, ALL THE TO DO'S, ALL THE POSSESSIONS THAT REQUIRE TIME TO DO and the hope is to enjoy doing.

READY?
HERE IS WHAT I WROTE AND IT DOESN'T COVER ALL OF IT IN DETAIL! (yikes)

Work & DIY Living Supplies necessary for:
~haircuts & color(salon equip) including roll cart & dryer hood
~manicures & pedicures
~at home dental tools
~guest pillows, blankets, sheets, pillow cases, towels, air mattress
~injury braces such as boots, wraps, (we have acquired a lot!)
~homeopathic supplements & resources
~cleaning business related tools including a few large baskets and bins
~hurricane kit & emergency items

More Hobby/Interest Related Supplies for:
~gardening & lawn care including pots, soil & sand bags, mower, trimmer, edger, palm trimmer, seeds, lawn cart, rakes, etc.
~sewing- table, machine, tote full of sewing items, & pile of inspiring material
~Paper, Journals, Pens, Pencils, Markers(WE HAVE A LOT!)
~Books! Books under the bed, in crates next to bed, in a basket next to the bed, in the car door pockets, stacks of totes in the garage and also in the office/school closet, on the living room shelf, in kitchen cupboards, on shelves in the pantry closet, on roll cart in the hall closet!!!! AHHHH!!! We love books and this is what we find ourselves doing in our free time, yes, even my kids.
~Photos either taking them or storing them in totes, albums, SD cards, or PCs
~Instruments-didgeridoo, dulcimer, 2 djembes, keyboard, 3 guitars, harmonicas, a basket of shakers & other small noise makers, & a ukulele
~Beach gear-sand toys & boogie boards
~5 bikes/helmets
~3 scooters
~one small go cart
~Archery, Fishing, & Hunting gear-about 4-5 totes & a tall trash can storing these items, the others that can't fit in a container, are in the garage
~Sports Equipment- includes large multi-sports net, football, basketball & hoop, tennis, baseball, soccer, rugby, table tennis, & hockey
~Gunsmith tools
~Sea Cadet uniforms & required items(3 totes)
~DVDs(a tote) & Wii Game System including a large basket of games and controllers etc.
~LEGOS
~Horse Grooming Supplies
~Knot Making Tote & Supplies
~TOYS in General: cars, monster trucks, plastic kitchen food, train/city rugs, costumes, remote cars, art supplies, sports trading cards, board & card games,
action figures, & stuffed animals
~Lets not forget: DS, Computers, TV, & a Tablet to entertain...

ALL of THIS is to be DONE or ENJOYED in our FREE TIME!!
That is, after school and work schedules, sports practices, church, family hiking, or family trips OUTSIDE OF THE HOME. 

And of course time for personal hygiene, upkeep of our messes from daily living in our home or car, necessary time for gasoline in the car, & grocery trips.This is exhausting!

AND - "This" is why, we are in a daily pursuit to rid ourselves from the weight of these things to do.

There is no way, we will ever have time to enjoy all of these things.

Several years ago, I made a list of the hours in my days and tried to fit all of my tasks into those hours.
Clearly not enough time- nor room for The Holy Spirit to work. I will share that list another time.
​

​My hope is that our journey inspires you to make your own listand begin refining your lifestyle.

I would love to hear how you are improving your lifestyle through minimalism or decluttering. 
Send me a message through my CONTACT PAGE or on FACEBOOK at
The Lennox Wellness Center of Essential Holistic Refinement