A month or two ago Gretchen Rubin, author of Happiness At Home talked in her blog about simplicity and abundance. She’d noticed that people spoke of either being (or feeling) full or empty, and longing for the opposite. She wondered then if:
- “the simplicity lovers–prefer to have less, subtraction, emptiness, bare surfaces, few choices, spare supplies–one tube of toothpaste?
- the abundance lovers–prefer to have more, fullness, overflow, collections, many choices, ample supplies–five tubes of toothpaste?”
She also wondered if lovers of simplicity also craved stillness; and those needing ‘more’ stuff, loved busy-ness.
Considering Gretchen’s definition… I am most certainly a lover of simplicity. Despite my hatred of grocery shopping I shop regularly as I buy the minimal amount of things each outing. I buy it, use it, buy it, use it. Rise. Repeat.
Occasionally I build up a bit of a supply of meat in my freezer but NEVER does it or my cupboards look like my mother’s who could live for weeks after the a zombie apocalypse. (My mother is indeed a lover of abundance!)
In fact, my larder is pretty small and I get stressed if it’s full and I can’t find what I need.
In my Debbish blog today I’m talking about the fact that I HATE CLUTTER. I like clean surfaces. I hate stuff being ‘in the way’.
And I do like stillness. However… I actually work better when busy and when challenged. I thrive under pressure.
In addition, although I am pretty sure I’m a simplicity-lover, I have a fear of ‘running out’ of stuff. It’s a fear of not being /having ‘enough’. When in binge-mode it’s about food… I panic that 400g of chocolate won’t satisfy my need, so I have to buy 1kg. And one bag of chips won’t be enough. I need two. At least.
When not bingeing I just don’t buy anything other than the essentials. I know I have minimal self-control. If I have trigger foods, they won’t last a day. Hell, they won’t last an hour.
So, perhaps I am a lover of simplicity, but… when stressed or pressured, I reach for the opposite and long for the land of plenty. Perhaps that’s human nature.
Are you a lover of simplicity or abundance?
Or is it not that simple for you?
PS. This post is part of a pigeon pair. Well, actually I don’t know what a pigeon pair is, but I like the sound of it. As it happens, today’s post in Debbish dovetails quite nicely with this one. #birdsonthebrain!
August 22, 2013
I definitely like simplicity. I love an uncluttered house but, being that I’m not the only one who lives here, I have to accept that clutter is part of having a family. As is having a fairly full pantry, fridge and freezer.I relate more to your Mum’s food supplies. And still I’ll hear them exclaim that there’s nothing to eat.
August 22, 2013
I’m the same at mum’s. I’ll stand in front of her larder looking and looking… hoping that EXACTLY WHAT I FEEL LIKE will suddenly appear (even though I may not know what that is!!!).
August 22, 2013
Again, I go through both extremes. Although when it comes to groceries, I shop daily- for exactly what we need. Sure we keep staples in the cupboard- the spices and oils & vinegars etc that we cook with weekly, the tins of tomatoes for pasta sauces, but other than that…
August 22, 2013
I’m bad at keeping stuff on-hand and just constantly running out of stuff. Luckily it’s only me I have to cater for!
August 22, 2013
My Mum is like yours- she shops once each fortnight & buys her meat in bulk- and always has done…
August 22, 2013
Yes, mum also stocks up when things are on sale… just to have them on hand.
August 22, 2013
I would prefer to be simple, but unfortunately I am the one that buys the bargain mega packs of things because I think they’re good value for money lol
August 23, 2013
I only ever do ‘hand basket’ shops so buying in bulk is impossible!
August 23, 2013
I’m a lover of simplicity. I’m notorious for throwing things out. I’m always looking for stuff then I think..Oops! I threw it out. That fridge looks like my mums as well though. mums freeze everything 🙂
August 25, 2013
And they seem to stockpile as well! (For a rainy day!)
August 23, 2013
I’m a love of abundance, but then get stressed by the mess and try to become a love of simplicity. It’s a tricky seesaw to ride…..
August 25, 2013
I suspect that if you’re one it’s hard or unnatural to be the other, I think that’s why I only do it when stressed etc or as a coping mechanism of some sort!