"Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose."
I have a particular affinity for this Janis Joplin line from the song, Me & Bobby McGee and thought I'd share a few words as to why...
See, when I turned 40, I sold everything I owned. I kept only a couple boxes of mementos. I had just enough clothes to fit into a backpack, but the rest went. I sold my watch, my antiques, my shoes...literally everything except my toothpaste. No wait, I do remember - I did accidentally sell my toothpaste. Anyway, I was definitely in a state of having nothing left to lose. It was very liberating.
My life has remained pretty much possession-free ever since. I do have a house, but no furniture. Well, I have 1 couch, but the truth is, someone else bought it for me and had it delivered because they thought every adult should at least have a couch.
A few pot and pans - they've all been donated basically, by people that thought I should have those things or had extra stuff they were giving away or whatever.
Almost 3 years after the fact, and I can still fit everything I own into my car within 15 minutes.
For me, that's freedom. I don't have to spend any time worrying about maintaining all the crap I own. I haven't spent a dime buying stuff and really don't have to spend much on anything besides candles, incense and food.
Really all I have to do - feed my dog and wash myself and my clothes. Yep - it's pretty much that simple. :)
I don't have to maintain anything, dust anything, rearrange anything or do a damn thing really, other than spend my time building fires, walking through the forest in my backyard and meditating in all the clutter-free wide open spaces in this house.
I admit, sometimes I do sit around twiddling my thumbs. That's when I break out the paints or start planning another trip to take. Or I spend that time writing, hence what you're reading right now. :)
For me though, freedom from things, is freedom. Janis was so right...freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose. For me, it is anyway.
Try purging a little and see if maybe it'd suit you too. Simplifying feels really good, trust me. :)
