There seems to be a trend among many of the trailblazers out there . . . it’s called minimizing. It seems like everyone who finally decides they’re going to just go after their dreams no matter what those around them say, ultimately ends up at the point of realizing ‘stuff’ just gets in the way.

Now, that’s not to say one can’t be prosperous or one can’t buy ‘stuff’ – it simply means sometimes the stuff cluttering your space is no longer useful. And when you change your whole ideal for living, some things often simply have to go. That stuff no longer serves a purpose for you or perhaps if you’re honest, it never did serve a purpose. (Well, it’s only purpose, maybe, was to stroke the ego or “keep up with the Joneses.”)

Anyway, it also means that you think twice (or even three times) about buying something new. Instead of just buying it because you want it or whatever, you begin to examine the why behind it – “Why do I want this? Do I really need it?” You know what I’ve found is very helpful? Put it back and think about it for a day or two – you might (usually will) ultimately decide you DON’T want nor need it and your dreams will thank you for not bringing it home.

Over the past week or so, I’ve begun cleaning out closets, dressers, boxes of old stuff and have a whole pile of things my family no longer needs that I’ve offered to local folks on freecycle. (Freecycle is a free community group where people can post things they want to give away. There’s probably a chapter near you if you’d like to sign up. I highly recommend it!) We also were given a newer stove over the weekend and our old stove is on it’s way to a new home as well.

In addition to that, this minimizing thing has prompted some much needed repairs to things we DO need to keep – like the bathroom sink, for example. It’s been clogged and slow draining for a while. We tried to fix it a month or so ago and nothing worked. So, this weekend, we had a friend who does remodeling and general handyman type stuff come help us out with it. He also did a tune up and fixed a leaking coolant hose on my van as well as helped us pick up the new stove.

I don’t necessarily think minimizing your life or your stuff is a requirement for being a trailblazer but I would certainly encourage you to get real with yourself and decide whether or not you TRULY need all of the stuff you currently own. If you’re anything like me, I’d venture to guess the answer is you don’t. And if you do find you have too much stuff, I encourage you to give it away if at all possible instead of selling it. Paying it Forward is a great way to boost your own self-confidence and feel like you’re making a difference in the world. It’s those good feelings that create the good vibes that help keep things in flow, too, so make giving things away and doing small acts of kindness a habit.

If you can’t bear to give something away, go ahead and sell it and then maybe donate a portion of the proceeds to a charity or your local food bank, school, library or something like that. Non-profit groups can often use extra funds or supplies. And again, you create a happy feeling all around you and that allows the Universe to conspire on your behalf in making your dreams come true.

So, as you go about your week, ask yourself “Will minimizing my stuff help me achieve my goals?” And if you answer yes to that question, next ask yourself “How can I minimize my life/stuff?”

Aren’t your dreams worth it?

Until next time . . . keep blazin’!