Linda Stoll: Porch #35 * Less is More

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The stuff that surrounds us affects what’s inside of us so if you are in a cluttery space on the outside, you might feel cluttery on the inside, too. Feeling cluttered and distracted leads to stress and overwhelm.

Even when you’ve built some tolerance to it, you aren’t operating on all cylinders when it comes to making thoughtful decisions and trusting you know what’s best for you.
Courtney Carver

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Happy weekend to you!

Less is more.

For one reason or another, many of us are heading to a more minimalist mindset, a simpler lifestyle, a pared down existence. We're gazing at our dusty collections with less fondness, our endless accumulations have become burdensome, and we're more than weary of moving one overwhelming pile to make room for yet another.

We crave margin. White space. Visual serenity. And too often we don't even know it.

Living with an overabundance of clutter and meaningless possessions can result in a paralyzing sense of overwhelm. Too much to take in wherever we turn, too many objects demanding attention, and wasted time pawing through untended stuff searching for something important leads to nothing but frustration, irritation, and a low-grade anxiety.

And we need that like a hole in the head.

Over time, I've discovered that the mental serenity that emerges when there's less junk and fewer tchotchkes cluttering every conceivable surface is a healthy place for me to be. I don't know about you, but I find it difficult to sit quietly with the Lord and prayerfully meditate on His Word when my surroundings are a chaotic mess.

Tell me I'm not the only one.

In His untold wisdom, He has created mind, soul, and body to be intimately interwoven. And when something's out of kilter in one arena, the others often aren't all that far behind.

I could share a million resources, but in the spirit of minimalism and less brain clutter, let's do 6 read-worthy links + 2 superb books + the Scripture -

THE LINKS
Should it stay or should it go?

Are you living in a fantasy world?

Farewell, my little vintage friends

Becoming Minimalists's most popular articles

Unhindered: is your stuff keeping you stuck?

Declutter your home: 13 articles & challenges to help you start

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THE BOOKS
The More of Less: Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You Own
Joshua Becker

Organized Simplicity: The Clutter-Free Approach to Intentional Living
Tsh Oxenreider

Biblical Minimalism: Following Jesus from a Life of Abundance to a More Abundant Life
Cheryl Smith
{read my review}

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THE SCRIPTURE
Don't hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or - worse! - stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it's safe from moth and rest and burglers. It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.
Matthew 6:19-21 {The Message}