I ran across this quote box on Pinterest, an unmentioned hindrance, a few weeks ago and think that it sums up perfectly what should be left in my house after this initial Simplifying quest is complete. Notice I said initial because every day for the rest of my life I will need to be working on Simplifying something! If you could see the calendar in my mind of the next 5 days, you would agree.
(Click on the picture to go to Making Lemonade's post about wanting to get rid of 1/3 of their stuff over the summer!)
What would be left if I truly declared this my mantra for keeping stuff in my house? Why do I hoard things that I don't really love? Why do I have a closet full of clothes that I don't wear, but look at every day, because I just don't like most of them or they don't fit or even if they did fit I wouldn't like how they fit? Why do I keep holding onto boxes of books that I will never read or even consult? What am I really ever going to do with all the fabric scraps that I store for some way out there sewing project? I have wedding gifts that I have used once or twice, but just can't stand the thought of parting with. Why?
I have guilt issues in various areas of my life and I am beginning to figure out that I keep things I don't like or love because I feel guilty getting rid of them. I feel guilty because I paid good money for it and if I get rid of it, I have essentially wasted money. I imagine the guilt I will feel if someone comes to my house and asks about a certain item they gave me that I have gotten rid of. Newsflash...the one thing I am thinking of right now, the person that gave it to me lives in another state and will probably never be in my house! Guilt is mostly a figment of my overactive, lying mind that I must put a muzzle on or else stick my fingers in my ears and tune out. Isn't it amazing how much emotion we attach to stuff?
As I have sorted out the garage, I have come to grips with the fact that I NEED to be realistic about what I allow to dwell on my shelves. If I don't need it or use it or love it - it has to go! Bottom line!
You have inspired me to do some cleaning out around here. I can actually see the floor beside my dryer for the first time in years!! lol I have stacks of stuff at both ends of my dresser. I am determined those stacks will be gone at the end of this month.
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