In recent news, a tyrannosaurus rex mercilessly devoured a utility truck. Pouty pirates have plundered the coast of Vero Beach, stealing all the seashells and building blocks. A space ranger argues the planethood of Pluto and the chocolatey goodness of Milky Ways. And this self-proclaimed Queen just sent some little soldiers marching… to their beds.
Even with (or because of) the rain outside, America seems to have started to purge and clean prior to budding daffodils and buzzing bees. Next to new calendars and agendas, stores are displaying tidy Tupperware bins and organizational solutions of all sorts. We’ve been trapped inside, and while some people skim their excess and seriously consider tiny homes, I’m staring at the towering toy pile. Terrified. Thank you, November birthdays and Santa.
In all of our moves with professional baseball, we had no choice but to embrace tiny-living while renting studio apartments, pool houses, vacant mother-in-law suites, spare bedrooms, and half of two different lake houses. Living out of luggage had its benefits. Limited clothing meant, well, limited laundry. Due to our nomad lifestyle, we opened the last of our wedding gifts sometime around our sixth anniversary. That was really exciting!
I read somewhere that most space rentals/self-storage units operate on a ninety-percent occupancy at all times. I’m sure this is due primarily to traveling business professionals and the military. But in true Millennial fashion, Wade and I have some of our junk in my parent’s unit. It’s amazing—and embarrassing—how quickly a family of four can accumulate extra “stuff.” My generation is seemingly obsessed with minimalism, yet we amass and desire more than we can store.
As we’ve made the effort to tame the toy pile and the dreaded junk drawer(s), there were some tears. There was a lot of laughter too. It isn’t the tossing or the tidying that brings us joy—it’s time together. A common goal and good conversation… that, and the knowledge that fulfillment comes from Christ and not clothes or collectibles, that would bring peace to any home, no matter the size. Just don’t ask about the *planet* Pluto!
*Feature photo by Rick Mason on Unsplash
