Giving Away All Your Possessions

[franciscanlady]

Ok this is probably going to sound really strange. In an attempt to simplify my life as much as possible (and perhaps future convent life), I have been trashing or giving away the things I no longer need. Have any of you ever had people suspect you of planning to commit suicide because of this? Sorry for the crazy question

[HopefulBride]

No I haven't, but it's because the folks around me were aware of why I was purging and giving things away.

[MarysLittleFlower]

I haven't given away all the things I don't need, though it's a great idea, but - I think if people relate it to suicide, that probably says more about our culture than anything? (of course if people think so, it's not your fault at all, maybe their mind jumped to this idea because of all the stuff we constantly hear about in the media etc).

Edited August 5, 2012 by MarysLittleFlower

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='franciscanlady' timestamp='1344202120' post='2463079']
Ok this is probably going to sound really strange. In an attempt to simplify my life as much as possible (and perhaps future convent life), I have been trashing or giving away the things I no longer need. Have any of you ever had people suspect you of planning to commit suicide because of this? Sorry for the crazy question
[/quote]

I have been trying to simplify my life as well, but my parents know that I am discerning so they understand it. However, if you did not make known your intentions and simply started giving things away with no explanation, I could see how some could become concerned. Especially, if you have been appearing depressed of late.

[Kylie Spinelli]

oh my gosh, where to start with giving things away? LOL it's so difficult not because I'm attached, but because there's so much stuff and IDK where to send it! LOL
I have a while to do so though... not even sure I have a religious vocation but I feel like it would be nice to simplify everything...

[maximillion]

In answer to the OP's question, yes......

I kept my entrance pretty close to my heart ( I was a nurse at the time) and most folks knew I was leaving 'to go to France'.
Then I kept giving things away, which, combined with my limiting my socialisation over the preceding months, was taken as a sign of depression and pending suicide. In the end, about a week before I left, the Occ Health nurse asked me to come in for a chat.
We cleared matters up and she promised to keep my reasons to herself until I was gone.

Unfortunately for me my mum put a request in to the Hospital Radio and the DJ read out why she was doing so. This happened the day before I left and lots of people expressed how hurt they were that I hadn't told them, so.........be prepared for some reactions if you have kept things quiet.

[emmaberry]

OP: No, I haven't, but I am open about my discernment/application process to a fault, so people know exactly why I started dressing more simply and living with less in general.

If people are thinking a person is contemplating suicide when they give a large amount of stuff away:
1) that says how secular and materialistic our culture is, and
2) the giver obviously has a lot of people in their life who care about them and their safety!

[DiscerningCatholic]

I'm doing the same thing (for the reason the OP is, and also because I just have too much stuff), and I haven't really told my parents about it.

[Totally Franciscan]

Simplifying one's life is an admirable thing. I am involved in this myself at the present moment. However, I would advise against getting rid of everything one owns in order to enter religious life. No matter how pure your intentions and secure in your vocation you may be, you may not persevere. Take it from me, who did give away everything I owned, only to ask to leave after six months in one community and a year and a half in another. One never knows what is down the road. Perhaps you have a relative or friend who will store your boxes of clothes, books, mementos, photo albums, etc. until final vows. Just something to think about.

[franciscanlady]

Thank you for all the replies

[franciscanlady]

TF, I actually made a plan like that where I am putting all the things I want to keep, in one plastic container. The rest is just junk that is of no real importance. I will however need to sell a house and car this time around so I am praying for a miracle

[dymphnamaria]

[quote name='Totally Franciscan' timestamp='1345089314' post='2468453']
Simplifying one's life is an admirable thing. I am involved in this myself at the present moment. However, I would advise against getting rid of everything one owns in order to enter religious life. No matter how pure your intentions and secure in your vocation you may be, you may not persevere. Take it from me, who did give away everything I owned, only to ask to leave after six months in one community and a year and a half in another. One never knows what is down the road. Perhaps you have a relative or friend who will store your boxes of clothes, books, mementos, photo albums, etc. until final vows. Just something to think about.
[/quote]


You may also have the point for practicality reason. Although on my part, I started to give stuff after i leave the convent.

[Gabriela]

If you look up a list of the signs of pending suicide, "giving everything away" is at the top of it. So, I don't think the people asking you are necessarily just ueber-secular or enculturated. They've probably just read that list. It's pretty well-known to anyone who's ever read or heard anything about depression or suicide.