Purging! January has been about clearing out our space since we have pretty well decided to renovate rather than look for a new home. So in our small space everything becomes about efficiency – and letting go.
This is a hard thing for me to do. Because that gift you gave me 5 years ago? Likely still in my house. That box of random stuff I didn’t unpack when we moved here 9 years ago? Still under the stairs. I have a hard time letting go. I put sentimental value on almost everything.
Is it because I can’t let go of history and memories? Absolutely, that’s part of it. I also collect a lot of antiques and hold on to them (even the ones that collect dust).
But I worked hard in the new year to give some items up (as you can see in the picture above). With only one double bed in the house, why did we have 5 changes of bedding? Or 20 extra pillow case covers?
Fortunately, in my area, charities call and offer to come pick up household items to be donated. They sort and sell these items to raise money for their causes, so it’s a win-win for all of us. I just wait for the call and get to work.
I’m proud about letting go, and I feel good. Getting rid of too much stuff is like a weight being lifted. I still have more items to clear out – the toys and storage rooms still have to be looked at. But I’m taking it step by step.
Do you find it easy to clear out your stuff? Or do you hold on like I do?
I feel the same way you do. I’m a collector…of stuff. I have a very hard time letting go but I love a tidy empty space, such a contradiction. I commend you in your efforts and you have inspired me to again tackle my over crowding.
Awesome! We do a clothes swap and THEN donate to charity. A free girl’s night, purging of stuff and charitable giving #winning (next one is January 28 at my house-come on by)
I am a big fan of getting most of the kid stuff out of the house. Other then a few sentamental items, I am happy to see it go. My own clothes…well, once they don’t fit right or i realize I haven’t worn them in forever and never really loved them, I’m happy to get rid of the. Other stuff though, the CD’s, DVD’s, kitchen stuff, I can’t seem to let go of it!
I’m terrible. We have purged so much, but still have so much! And I can’t seem to find time to go through it all properly – hard to do with kids around. We donate stuff left, right and centre but still have too much. I’ve basically stopped exchanging gifts with adults on our lists at holiday time because we all have too much.
Work in progress. Want to get there. ; )
We downsized 4 years ago and I have never looked back, or wondered about the items we sold or donated. We will be downsizing again in 2 years to a condo and I am looking forward to purging ‘stuff’ yet again. As a decorator of small interiors, I am the queen of clutter busting. If someting is truly meaningful, but simply can’t be kept… take a picture of it.
Letting go can be very emotional. I take photos and write a little blurb for items that we don’t have room for but would like to keep the memory.
I love to purge and organize…I find it strangely therapeutic and calming 🙂