"I would love to hear your approach to handling clutter in these scary economic times. I used to be a pretty liberal declutterer, but have found myself stopped in my tracks. I can see how some things are worthless to have in bad times but there are other things I am suddenly unwilling to part with. I guess I have some hidden Dr. Zhivago vision of us not having enough blankets and having no clothes for my younger daughter and other mythical children I am probably not having. While I would love to just get all new things for my youngest it seems wasteful and I must worry about replacing towels and comforters. I guess I am having trouble balancing faith and preparation?"
At times like these, it's important to come back to this moment and see what fits and supports you. A Dr. Zhivago vision doesn't fit you because it's a concept that's not based on what's actually happening. Recognizing the feeling of instability in you is a good first step. It's driving how you see everything. You can even ask, "Is this way of seeing things supporting me and my family?" "Does my family have enough blankets and clothes?"
It's also not about getting rid of everything and getting all new things. It's noticing the things that no longer fit your family's life. This means seeing what's no longer being used or serving a purpose. The presence of the clutter creates a stagnant and chaotic effect in your home, taking the clarity you need to make good decisions. Clutter busting is the preparation you take to remove the instability of the clutter. The faith is the intuition that gets a chance to rise to the surface. The intuition helps you see through fear. It's a helpful knowingness.
There's never a point where things are stable. There are times where things are more difficult. But never where things stay the same. Being open to this gives flexibility to adapt to the changes that are happening.