Tripping over Toys

I've been reading quite a few blogs and articles about the idea of minimalist living: pairing down all the physical stuff in our house and doing less activities that require too much time and energy. It seems there are many people that are attracted to this idea and this type of living, myself included. Not a day goes by that I wish I could spring clean and throw half my things away. But usually, that same day, I wish I could go shopping and buy some new clothes for myself and girls, and things for my house. 

What I can gather from my intense research on the topic (intense research = causally reading random blogs and posts about living with less throughout this past year) is that the people drawn to this idea are people with stuff. That is, middle class and college educated people. Why are we so drawn to minimal living? Most people know that  things don't make us happy; things occupy our time and money. Things like dozens of kid toys (for us parents), clothing, paper, and random nic nacs. According to this extensive research done by sociologists at UCLA (go Bruins!), women with cluttered messy homes have higher levels of stress hormones. I could have told them that and saved them years of research! I'm sure there is extensive research on why we have so much stuff and I'm sure it can be attributed to our American culture of consumerism. In our heads we know stuff wont make us happy, but yet we are drawn like magnets to stores and amazon...buying more stuff. Often I feel so stressed in my toy filled house that I can't enjoy my girls. When they are tucked in bed and asleep, I clean everything up and put my house to bed and only then do I feel relaxed. Then the whole messy cycle starts up early the next morning.

I'm trying to find a balance and I haven't found it. I'm not brave enough to toss half my things out, but yet I'm frustrated every day. Maybe I just need a bigger house :)