Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Decluttering

Twenty bags of "stuff" have gone out of this house in the last 3 weeks or so. These are kitchen-sized bags, dropped off at the Goodwill in hopes of making space in this overcrowded house. For some reason, I am in a major mood to get rid of things. I am feeling closed in by the clutter.

There are so many things we do not need or use in this house, so why is it so hard to get rid of it all? One reason is a packrat hubby who likes to hold onto things for all kinds of reasons. Another reason is just inertia. It is tough to go through old junk, and it is even harder to find the time to do it all. It is hot, heavy, dirty, emotional work.

I am starting a pile for consignment. Hopefully, there is value in some of this old stuff~old dishes and old silver, pitchers, art work, suitcases, and fancy platters. Other piles will go to charities and yet others are to be thrown out.

The trick from now on is to bring less in, or to try the "one thing in-one thing out" rule. Buy less, have less, be tied down by less. It really makes me wonder why we bought it all in the first place.