I'm in major clean up and throw out/donate mode. Call it the New Year, call it Too Much Crap Making Me Crazy, but I am tearing through closets and cabinets and getting rid of things. As I've gotten older I think I've begun keeping things Just In Case.
Just In Case we get invited to a Hawaiian/Scary Mask party I have a Hawaiian print dress and Tim has a very scary Halloween mask that frightens even adults. (We're hermits and don't get invited to costume parties.)
Just In Case I need old sorority t-shirts and sweatshirts for painting projects, I have three boxes full in storage in the basement. (I should keep a couple for posterity and toss the rest. Where will I ever wear a size large sweatshirt with the words "AXO/ATO Pledge Dance 2000"? But I will keep my paddle...it may come in handy with these children someday (KIDDING). )
Just In Case we start a company again, we have 6 office chairs and that many desktops gathering dust. (We will never, I repeat, NEVER, be self-employed again.)
Just In Case I want to redecorate, I have extra lamps, pillows, vases, candles, CHAIRS sitting around. (In outdated color combinations from our old condo/college apartments.)
Just In Case I get invited to a Fancy Dress Party, I have four formal bridesmaid dresses...yeah, no.
Just In Case I want to go skiing, I have the coat, pants, gloves, etc. (I hate skiing.)
There is so much more...crap stuffed into the basement and closets than I care to admit. On the surface, I think my home looks relatively orderly and clean but if you get deep into it you would be appalled at the stuff I've kept. Most of it just needs to go. I need to remove my attachments to things and just get rid of it once and for all. I need to stop saying "we'll sell that on CList/put it on Freecycle" because I won't get around to it and honestly, the process of listing and getting emails and not having people show up is a HUGE annoyance for small gain. Plus putting decent things out in the alley ensures they'll get picked up by someone before garbage day and I consider that a great form of recycling.
It's time to let go of the excess stuff and enjoy a less cluttered existence. It's time to buy a better scanner and get rid of the piles and files full of paper and SHRED IT ALL. It's time to donate anything that is in decent condition and get it out of my house. I think I'm going to keep our local Salvation Army pretty busy this weekend.
4 comments:
I keep so much just in case stuff. Waaaay too much stuff.
As for college t-shirts, I have those all boxed up in case I ever want to make a t-shirt quilt. Ha! (I did make 2 rows of the quilt. Four years ago.) (And I'd have to rip it apart to send it into a mail-in t-shirt quilt place. So I'm stuck.)
Did, you, um, go through my house to write this post because that is about everything in my else (office chairs aside).
We've done two major purges since we moved into this house five years ago. I need to do another.
At least you graduated college within the last decade. I was at the gym this morning and saw a guy with a sweatshirt that advertised a fraternity event from 1985. I kid you not. I shook my head in shame for the guy. Just go home, dude, and don't come out until you're willing to admit you're old! Too old to be wearing fraternity shirts, for sure!
I have this same kind of problem in my house! Scanning is definitely on my list for this year, the preschool artwork is taking us ALL over!
Good luck - I'm inspired by your progress!!
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