Now that the kids have packed up and left their childhood rooms I am left with a mountain of extra “stuff”…and this reality has my mind turning. A few years in one residence is time enough to acquire an excess of material objects that never get used or are simply “souvenirs” or “gifts” obtained that sit obligatorily in the corner of the closet. Seeing what the kids have left behind, what they value (or don’t value) has been an eye-opener…making me wonder now….why did I ever buy that? My kids have never gone without unless it was for the purpose of teaching appreciation or other life-serving lessons. Now I see the evidence that materialism and consumerism has been the underlying culprit in my never-ending search for simplicity…no wonder I am always thirsting for quiet time and trying to capture moments that are not connected to chaos…I am surrounded by unnecessary “stuff” that contributes nothing to actually enjoying life.
Why do we save stuff? I have clothes in my closet I haven’t worn in years. I have three crock-pots, why? I have different comforters in case I change the color of my room back, and I’m ashamed to tell you how many pairs of shoes I have that never actually get worn.
I’m on a mission to make some changes, shake things up, and simplify my life…and once I get my house in order…I’m starting on ME!
8 comments:
I know what you are talking about. Perhaps you have heard of flylady. If not, you might want to check out her website at www.flylady.net. She says, "You can't organize clutter." She says, "If you don't use it or love it, then throw it out." I really have been trying to follow that rule more lately. I find that there are some things that fall in the "love it" category for a while and eventually I can toss it. So happy tossing.
Have a good day!!
You know I have FlyLady on my blog :) They really get you moving. I'm glad you're beginning this new way of life because it is SO much easier!!
Remember when I started my Attic Project? Back when the attic was cool? LOL! That's the only huge area left with a ton of memories. It's not easy but oh gosh it feels good afterwards! I'm even going to start taking pictures of stuff, put on CD and then out to Rescue Mission or Goodwill!
Oh, BTW, you've been tagged :)
Don't feel obligated...keep with the clutter for now!! More important!! :)
don't get in a hurry to remove those "things" they are still a part of your life. Those little things hold memories and a story to tell again someday. My daughter left her trophies from playing softball, what will we really ever do with them...Nothing! but they are a part of her highschool days. So they stayed out for a while, then moved to a box. Now they are packed up and put away. There is plenty of time to change things...just not right now. My son left hunting magazine, and trumpet music....the things that made him happy in life. I have packed them away now too after nearly 10 years of him being gone. Life is wonderful, take your time throwing "things" away. And keep the memories close!
my mind has run along these same thoughts lately joni.....but that happens about once a year! lol....and then i continue living the cluttered life! :) i connect so many memories to "things"....but i think if it is taken in stages....then i do okay, like karen m talked about.
really....what DO we need with all this STUFF? i have storage under the stairs filled with the girls things when they were little....i am going to pull all of it out and let them go through it and choose which memories they want to keep....and the rest i am truly going to give away....i have my memories....now they can have the "stuff"! :)
they say removing clutter also helps you keep your life in order....i'm all for that!
thanks for the post this morning...and the renewed ambition!
hugs,
kimberly
Me too! I have too much "stuff"
Doesen't it just cause frustration?
xoxo Nita
I don't care for clutter on my tables, or my counter top's in my kitchen or bathroom's, but I do have 2 junk drawers, and cloths I dont wear, and my closets are so so, now the kids that a whole different blog its self!!!! espically Johnanthon, man o man!!,I do hang onto a lot of stuff thats has meaning's to ME and thats the same with our children, I think we hang onto stuff becouse we dont want to let go of that time. I know one thing is for sure though....I wont let go of my ANY of MY FRIENDSHIP'S!!!!
I love you
Nettie
Goodness how I can relate. It is amazing how things build up around us. I tend to be a person that throws things out if I haven't used it in a while but still I find stacks of things everytime I turn around. How many times the girls and I have hauled out their rooms.....
You have (yet again) captured my fascination. I look forward to your variety of "stuff recycling" or whatever clever means that you elect to employ. (Yes, I do, indeed, fully expect this of you. The Spirit that expressed this post sounds ready to launch something fun and unique.)
As for any "excesses" related to your Person ... all is far too lovely, and enjoyable to do other than celebrate. That is an obvious FACT! (The reality that lies in my loving You has absolutely no subjective influence on that, purely empirical, analysis [smile].)
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