A declaration of independence

Each year on July 4^th, United States citizens celebrate independence. In 1776 in Philadelphia, the Second Continental Congress drafted and adopted a statement that we call the Declaration of Independence. The thirteen colonies announced liberation from British rule, forming what became the United States of America. But of course, you know that…

The holiday inspired me to create my own declaration of independence—from stuff—a Declaration of Simplicity. I waited until after the July 4^th holiday weekend to take first steps. Mess developed gradually, with legitimate excuses that are no longer valid. For the last few years, I had focused on completing a graduate program (thesis accepted and graduated in May) and recovering from bike/bus collision injuries (should finally be settled this month). During the last years, chaos crept in and finally reached a tipping point. I’ve run out of excuses and need to take action. Disorder has jeopardized my peace of mind and my husband’s patience. The time to act is now. My stakes are less high than what the colonists faced, who risked life and property by signing what was considered a treasonous document. But their example inspires me.

I hold these truths to be self-evident:

We are endowed by the Creator with certain unalienable Rights, among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. These Rights are intangible, not material. Pursuing happiness does not mean having more. What items feed my spirit? And, what is just clutter requiring storage, organization, and retrieval?
Prudence dictates that we ignore the latest and greatest gadgets. Don’t upgrade for light and transient causes.
Less may be better. Consider how much is enough.
It’s easier to find things when they are stored in the same place each time.
Excess effects Safety and Happiness. Piles may create tripping or fire hazards.
For the time being, forget Thomas Edison’s idea: “To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk.” Distill to the essence.
Remember that being organized is not one and done. If I don’t stay on top of it, clutter will creep back in.

I proclaim release from Allegiance to excess Stuff. I vow to go through what I currently have and monitor what comes in. To honor my Declaration to lighten up, I resolve to manage flow and order. With a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence and the support of my Essential Life Design (ELD) group, we mutually pledge to hold each other accountable. Giving thanks for the abundance, let freedom flow.