Harvesting Simplicity - Choosing Enough in a World of More
- Melissa Cotton
- Jul 31
- 2 min read
Melissa Cotton is the creator of this series of posts, published monthly, entitled Harvesting Simplicity. She covers a variety of topics presented by Joshua Becker and others to help guide us all to live a more 'stuff-free' lifestyle. Just because it is free, does not mean we need to take and give it space in our lives.
Somewhere along the way, we forgot what "enough" looked like.
Our parents and grandparents belonged to a generation that understood the value of what they owned. They didn't rush to replace things because they had worn with age. They repaired them. They cared for them. They used every last drop, every last page, every last ounce before thinking about buying something new.
Possessions weren't disposable—they were appreciated.
Today, we're surrounded by a different message.
With endless online shopping and next-day delivery, almost anything we could want is only a click away. Convenience has changed the way we consume. Instead of asking, Do I need this? we often ask, Why not?
Without realizing it, our homes begin to fill.
Extra bottles "just in case." Duplicate kitchen tools. Clothes we forgot we owned. Storage bins filled with items we haven't touched in years. We buy because it's easy, because there's a sale, or because we worry we'll need it someday.
But abundance has quietly become a burden.
Every item we bring into our home asks something of us. It needs space. It needs organizing. It needs cleaning. It competes for our attention. And the more we own, the more our homes begin to feel full, even when our lives don't.
Minimalism isn't about living with as little as possible. It's about making room for what matters most.
Imagine if we embraced the mindset of previous generations—not because we had to, but because we chose to. Finishing what we already have before buying more. Appreciating the things we own instead of constantly searching for the next thing. Finding satisfaction in enough rather than chasing endless accumulation.
Perhaps the greatest luxury today isn't owning more.
Perhaps it's opening a cupboard that isn't overflowing. Walking into a room that feels peaceful instead of crowded. Knowing exactly what you own and loving every item that has earned its place.
In a world that profits from convincing us we never have enough, choosing contentment is a radical act. Maybe the secret to a calmer home isn't buying better things. Maybe it's simply buying fewer of them.
Melissa is a first grade teacher with a double major in Elementary Education and Early Childhood. She also has a Master’s Degree in Education Administration. After reading T. Colin Campbell’s book, The China Study, she stopped eating the Standard American Diet (SAD) and has been eating a nutrient-rich, plant-based diet. In December 2023, she earned Dr Joel Fuhrman’s Nutritarian Coaching Certificate. Melissa is an active member of the National Health Association (NHA).
Melissa is also the writer/creator of our 2024 blog series Exploring GBOMBS. Her love for teaching and learning will support others on their journey for optimal health and wellness.
(currently publishing monthly)
(previously published)
Be well
Stop.Breathe.Focus.Move.Flow.
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