I've had a couple moments of "panic" this week- surveying my new streamlined closet and then again at my super clean desk. I am so used to all the clutter and jumble that this almost doesn't "feel like me". I love the new, clean look, though. But it's going to take some getting used to....

Which makes me wonder- can you get too simple?

__________________
I don't believe in miracles; I depend on them

Good Question! I think you probably can get too simple if you go overboard. I guess some people can (and do) survive wearing only 1 outfit, but that's not for me. Whn I think of simple living, I think about the benefit to the environment as well, so even though I want to reduce my family's impact through consumption, I am not going to go live in a tree house, get rid of my car, etc.

I think that as long as you are happy with your progress and are still providing your family with their needs and not making them miserable then you are still okay. Changing a lifestyle always feels extreme, but the more you get used to it the more you are gonna love it!!

have you missed anything you've gotten rid of? That's a good test. Even if you do miss certain things, it probably isn't a big problem if unless it was something you can't replace (sentimental memories, keepsakes, etc.).

I often wonder about this too. I am the one that got rid of some of our pets in the name of simplifying my life. (fish and birds) I am to the point that I really want to not have my children in activities outside of school. My oldest DS (13) is a real problem when it comes to school and it takes every bit of my energy and nerves to get through that stuff daily. I don't want to do anything else. DH says it's not fair to the 2 other boys that I don't want THEM doing extra activities because of their older brother's issues. His parents did not allow DH to play summer basball when he was a kid because it "cluttered" up thier summers. they wanted to be able to do whatever they wanted in the summer and not be tied down to a basball schedule. DH holds this against them to this day, and it turn, wants the boys to be allowed to do as many activities as THEY want. He not the taxi driver though, I AM! Also, I am just starting to get into scrapbooking, but am thinking about giving it up already. I have so much to do with DS1, that I pine to do my hobby, but never get to. It's almost MORE stressful having something you really want to do and can't, than to not have a hobby at all.

So, I guess you CAN simplify too much, but I have yet to have that experience. Someday!

This is what I was going to say. I am awful about giving something away and then searching for it forever months later...when I NEED it. It isn't simplifying OR being frugal if I just end up having to go back out and BUY another one of what I already had! LOL Make sure you triple check what you get rid of...cause it is better to have a box of "this and that" somewhere then to be in my shoes of going to the store...AGAIN!!

__________________

Definitely!!! I think that it becomes an obsession in itself to some people! Living simply is supposed to make your life easier. You are not supposed to spend all your time obsessing about how you can live simply.

__________________
~Happiness is a large family~

Exactly what I was thinking! I take my simplifying in stages. I have already gone through my clothes but it has been a couple weeks so now I am ready to go again. Small steps, and a little at a time is what works for me. There are a couple items I've searched back of boxes so it works for me to just do it in stages.

I went through my kitchen this weekend and boxed up a fairly large box of things. In a couple weeks I will see what I still don't use/want and will likely box up a few more things. For example I almost got rid of a plastic pitcher and matching glasses because we aren't using them...well duh its winter and they are for outside eating weather! Gotta be careful what we get rid of!

Hmmm. I don't think you can, unless you start throwing away stuff that you'll need in the future. It's hard to make that determination without hoarding though.
Take baby steps,,,,one area at a time. You'll know when you've hit the limit and in time, this might even get pushed out to being more streamlined!

__________________
Children Learn What They Live, And Live What They Learn.
What have you taught your child today?
When life throws you a curve ball...it's up to you how you catch it!