In looking at our home, we are planning on making some changes in the structure of the house and the purpose of rooms. We will be losing a lot of storage, so the plans for the changes we would like to make can’t be finalized until we know where all of the extra stuff will be going in the house.
So, naturally, I’m starting to get fed up with stuff. Stuff is getting in the way of our plans, and stuff needs to be maintained and cleaned. It is frustrating though, when stuff seems to take over and practically hypnotize the rest of the family. The old and huge speakers that someone won’t part with, the attic full of memorabilia, the toys that are no longer played with but would cause heartbreak if they were removed from the house.
Now, of course, I am not guiltless. I still have too many books and magazines, despite cutting my collection down my at least two-thirds in the last couple of years. I also tend to stockpile food, school supplies and hand me down clothing for the kids (my excuse being to save money). And, one of the boxes of records in the attic belongs to me, despite the fact that I can no longer get needles for my turntable, which is also in the attic. It is sitting right next to my old Commodore 64.
So perhaps if I step up, the rest of my family might? Yeah, right. But wouldn’t it be nice to know that it wasn’t any of my stuff that was getting in the way? I’m charged up to do some purging. I’m trying to approach it all as if we were moving. I find that this helps me see what is really important. If I could only keep whatever fit on one small truck, would it be worth taking a particular item along, sacrificing space for something else? That old comfortable, yet ratty sweatshirt doesn’t look as good if I have to give up one of my new dresses to fit it in. See what I mean?
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