3 Lies about Time Christian Women Tell Themselves & 3 Truths That Will Set You Free: dianakerr.com/workbook

This is very true! God created each of our brains unique. What distracts one may not necessarily another and if you study psychology, you'll find the brain is extremely trainable to a default and this can be used as a tool of distraction with minimalism. I've actually found the more I strived for minimalism in every area, the more my brain was distracted by, and stressed by, even the smallest thing out of place. Which isn't healthy. I've opted for a healthy balance at home. I have taken your advice on stewing over each purchase more. I also pray on purchase and avoiding impulse buying but I'm not overly worried about kids toys on the floor or things not perfectly in place anymore. I dont follow '1 thing in 1 thing out' rules anymore and my counters aren't sterile and empty. I can walk into a room that's cluttered and not feel stressed and overwhelmed (a feeling I unknowingly fed and trained my brain to feel in excess via minimalism). Without realizing it, I was training my brain to respond in stress mode to any room it seen that didnt have clean lines, clear spaces and things in nice tidy order. I had subconsciously trained my brain to detect things out of place and hyperfocus on them. Then I had to clean it like an itch that needed scratched. Minimalism became very unhealthy and a big distraction. I found myself decluttering mindlessly at times, especially when I was anxious as a coping tool, and wasting a lot of time. It can certainly be a tool of Satan. I consider myself a recovered minimalist who no longer hyperfocuses on clutter but rather tries to be mindful of overload. My thresholds for clutter are higher, stress levels are down. It can literally be a trap if you aren't careful. I'm now minimal-ish, but if things aren't tidy and our house is lived-in, I consider that a gift also. I personally don't feel God calls us to overly focus on our surroundings and environment. And if you give Satan that tool, he will use it to destroy. It will become distracting instead of healthy and you likely may teach your kids to have anxiety about their surroundings not being "just-so". Remember, this world wasnt meant to be perfect and we will never have a 'just-so' environment surrounding us. The feeling of perfection we seek is only found in Heaven and it's not of earth. The feeling you're seeking with the urge to control the aesthetic of your environment, in my mind, is a yearning for what can only be found with God. Perfect peace and controlled environments are something humans strive for as they yearn for God. This can be both a tool for good and for harm depending how much you focus on it. One afternoon when I seen my daughter begin to get anxiety about her surroundings being out of place, minimalism ended for me. I'm so glad I had that moment of discernment, something I pray for regularly. Your kids are still quite young so you may not see the effects quite yet but they're soaking in your cues like little sponges and its helping shape them in positive and not-so-positive ways. I'm glad you added this video amongst all of the positively spun videos on minimalism. There's a dark side to everything in this world, sadly. Even the most wholesome seeming things can be a tool for distraction if not used in moderation. Now, whenever I start to feel the feeling of overwhelm in my home due to visual clutter, I take a deep breath. I thank God for all of it because it's a demonstration of the gifts He's given me. Toys on the floor remind me I have my sweet healthy kids nearby and I'll yearn for these years later. Unfolded laundry on my couch is a visual cue of love rather than stress. I remember I have a husband and 2 beautiful kids and we can afford not only clothes but washer and dryer and God has given me the energy and strength to tend to my family. That doesnt mean He expects or wants me to do it in a regimented, distracted way. I've retrained my brain to see "things" with more meaning, in moderation. This by no means says I overload with stuff. That's handled by the financial aspect of stewarding finances and being mindful of purchases. God has given you an incredible platform here to reach a little piece of the world. You are an example of His hands and feet on earth in many ways, but this platform for sure. It's very nice to see you stress the need for balance and discernment amongst the overarching minimalism approach. I'm glad recovering minimalists/perfectionists have a place here too.

I’ve completely experienced this. I am more “Minamalish” and I decluttered 2 years ago. While I’ve experienced a lot of benefits, I realized the same. This is a way of enhancing life, but Jesus is the way, the truth and THE life. Thanks for such good reminders!

The kitchen nightlight/lamp - can you share a link to product?

I could use some prayer as I am going through my house. I think I'm fighting panic and the word trust. I'm a Believer God has been there for me so why am I not trusting now. Why am I worrying if I like go I'm worried that if I need something down the road it won't be there. My stuff should be easy. My brother who lost my sister-in-law a year ago and they have a teenage just had to pack up his wife's stuff. That's hard so why am I looking at my stuff is hard? I just could use some prayers I want to get this in better control. The stuff I am going through is not stuff that was sitting in rooms. My house was picked up I'm going through things that has been sitting on storage shelves or in closets things I haven't used for a long time but you know I might need it just in case. That has been my mindset

Not related to the (awesome) video content, where did you get your earrings? They're super cute :)

I love this.

Totally superficial, but ummm, is that a denim romper or dress? Do you have a link? It’s so cute!

You're spot on. Minimalism isn't going to fill the need we have for the peace and joy we can have in Jesus.

This is very helpful to look at this way, we will never find any satisfaction outside of Jesus.

Miminalism nowadays is too extreme imo

oh. she started talking about jesus.