I started this blog a few weeks ago and forgot to finish it, till now.
Some say being a pack rat/hoarder is a sickness or OCD [an obsessive compulsive disorder]...After reading a post on the Red Hat Site about hoarding/being a packrat, it brought back memories of our move here from NYC 14 years ago.
As we prepared to move we had boxes stacked from floor to ceiling in our large living room, with no room except to walk around them. Boxes carefully packed with breakables and linens. Accumulations of 31 years. It is incredible how much and what was saved. We had to make some very difficult decisions of what to take and what to discard. If only we knew then what we know now... that it's cheaper to buy new than to ship heavy furniture.
I find I'm back to where I was in NYC... with boxes and boxes of 'stuff' that must be disposed of.
At this time in our life we often see our peers transition.. leaving loved ones with the burden of disposing of their worldly possessions. I don't want my family to have to go through my junk or the guilt of disposing without looking to see what's there. So I've promised myself that starting next month I will be ruthless and de-clutter. Tossing anything not used in the past year including those old old papers I've been holding onto... Such as a newspaper clipping of my return home to Miami after my marriage; Program from my high school graduation; compliments from students I taught to use the computer and from satisfied passengers when I worked for TWA; Receipts for furniture [that we still have] purchased from Bloomingdale's back in the 1960s, etc.; clothing that I had plans to alter or restyle or whatever; things we felt that someone else may want that we replaced and no longer use... aka Clutter - Stuff - Crapola.
A while back when I acknowledged that I am a hoarder, I attempted to organize my clutter. Looking back I realize that really did not help, if anything it made matters worse. My goal is to get RID of the clutter rather than organize it. Wish me luck.
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3 comments:
Get a cute scrapbook and save the newspaper articles and special letters. Receipts from Bloomie's - throw them out! The statute of limitation, warranties and guarranties have long expired. I too am on a mission to downsize the junk.
Bunni...High Five!!! You have made the first step towards clearing out your clutter...Recognizing that you HAVE clutter...
It's a steady road down the path of the clutter freeway. Take it slow and easy and it will stay behind you. Don't be overwhelmed...You WILL get through it all. Give yourself time to do it right. One thing at a time....
I'm proud of you for admitting to your clutter"itis"...There will be plenty of us to help keep you motivated...You will have plenty of dancing room before you know it.
Good luck with your "mission"...Hugs...SassyQLinda
Bunni, what a great reminder. I too, share your OCD'ism. I've got stuff I'll never use, in fact stuff I never really wanted in the first place...stuff people just couldn't bear to throw out.
Friend: "Hey, do you want this? It's too nice to throw out."
Me: "Of course, it's beautiful. I'm sure I'll find a use for it. Thank you for thinking of me."
All the while, they are just glad to be rid of the stuff, and they may even vaguely feel guilty dumping it on you. LOL
So, this summer...time to toss it out before the leaves turn brown.
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