 “Keep only those things that speak to your heart. Then take the plunge and discard all the rest. By doing this, you can reset your life and embark on a new lifestyle.” ~Marie Kondo
After the roof blowing off our house and the flood in the master bathroom and bedroom, it has been the summer of remodeling. We have lived in our house for almost 20 years; we have acquired a lot of stuff. So, when we had to move all of our furniture and items from every closet into the living room so they could put in the new tile it was an eye opener. I am a person who purges on a regular basis and gets rid of stuff, but when you move everything from a 2000 square foot house into your living room, you see how much stuff you really have. We have too much stuff and I went on a BIG PURGE. I have filled bags and boxes and made at least 10 trips to donate clothes, furniture and household items to local agencie. I have thrown away bags and bags of things and shredded years of old documents –I no longer need the addendum contract for coaching softball from 1983. Things went into folders and were never looked at again – I got rid of a ton of manuals for devices we no longer own. It was an arduous process to go through every document in the files and every item in the closets and rooms, but now that I am almost done, it feels wonderful. The hardest things for me to purge were the mementos and knick-knacks from awards, trips and friends. I am grateful for the awards I have won in my life – but they are not who I am. The awards, plaques and trophies were at my office when I worked. But now that I am retired, most of the awards went into boxes in closets or hung in the guest bedroom and I decided it was time to let them all go. I took photographs of all the key items in case I ever want to see them again and then I got rid of them. It was a very freeing feeling. I have lots more space now. It has been another great lesson in detachment and detaching to material things. I got rid of furniture and there is more empty space in the rooms – I don’t have to fill every inch of each room with furniture and things. I got rid of so many knick-knacks that on many surfaces of tables and desks I don’t have anything on top of them. It will make it easier to dust and clean and feels more open. I looked at each item in my house and asked if the item spoke to my heart and brought me joy and if it didn’t, I got rid of it. I am resetting my life and embarking on a new lifestyle - less is more. It feels like a new home and I am excited about it. Do you have things in your home that no longer speak to your heart? Why are you still holding on to them? Do you need to get rid of any clutter in your house or workspace? If the answer is yes, what is stopping you?
10 Comments
Peggie
8/27/2016 10:43:11 am
This really speaks to me. With remodeling we've done the past few years, we too have purged so many things. Living in a 30 ft fifth wheel for 5 months a year underscores how much "stuff" we can do without. People on my tours often ask how we can leave our home and things for so long. I explain we secure things as best we can, keep insurance up and remember it's only stuff. We have what's important. What makes me laugh though, is my inability to purge items from my studio! I guess they really bring me joy and I "need" them for the creative muse to strike as that creative process also brings me joy.
Peggy
8/27/2016 06:57:02 pm
Peggie,
Marilyn Browning
8/27/2016 11:26:43 am
I love this reminder and am going to get started!!
Peggy
8/27/2016 06:58:20 pm
Glad you liked the reminder, but your house looks amazing to me. Enjoy the space and stillness.
Nancy Riecker
8/27/2016 05:43:14 pm
Sorry for your flooding. I believe everything happens for a reason. Thus your big purge. I have been working on a huge purge for a bit now. With each item gone there is a lightness. Less is fantastic
Peggy
8/27/2016 07:04:02 pm
Nancy,
Amy
8/28/2016 06:16:23 am
I"m sorry your big purge had to come at such an expensive price, but I'm sure you're going to love your new remodeled home. I have noticed that I'm becoming more of a minimalist as the years pass. I haven't done a big purge yet, but I have been able to give away stuff more easily. I still have many of my kids' toys because they bring back such fond memories and I hope grandkids will visit us some day. I have many cards and momentos I can't seem to part with yet. I am so much better when it comes to shopping. I'll see great things on sale, but then I ask myself "do I really need it?" Most often the answer is "no". In the past I would buy stuff because it was such a great bargain. Anyway, I enjoyed reading your post, and here's to minimalism.
Peggy
8/29/2016 09:03:21 am
Amy,
Judith
8/28/2016 09:59:15 am
We have gone through this twice since 2009. First when we moved from Flagstaff to a rental in Sedona when we retired and again when we moved to our present home in 2012. The people we bought the house from were close to hoarders and had the largest furniture I have ever seen in a private home. I did a minor donation frenzy last holiday season when I joined a "donate 1 thing every day from Thanksgiving to New Years" challenge and cleaned out 2 large bags of clothes and shoes. Now I keep a constant bag going and regularly add to it. It is amazing what "treasures" I find in my large desk that I never needed much less years later when I'm forced to clean out files because the drawers don't close right.
Peggy
8/29/2016 09:09:20 am
I love the donate 1 thing every day from Thanksgiving to New Years challenge, but I plan to follow your idea to have a constant bag going. I also plan not to bring more things in :-) Leave a Reply. |
Author
Peggy Steffens is an artist and Chopra Certified Meditation Instructor My goal is to build a community with like-minded individuals who want to grow, share and learn from one another. Please post comments to enrich the experience for all.
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