It's not easy to pare down. Even though we may have helped a seller to declutter, before listing, it's not the same process when it's our turn to become lean. Like you, I subscribe to the concept that in getting rid of "stuff" (and yes, it's worth listening to George Carlin's riff on "stuff"), we leave room for the new to enter our lives. To go from a lot of things to very few is not an easy segue. How did I finally do it? A relative with a stack of garbage bags and an inexhaustible supply of stickies stepped in. Yes, the magic of 3: this pile goes with you, this pile is gifted on, this pile is going to recycling/garbage. Another truism...it's easy to pare if someone else is doing it. Meantime, how does it feel to have gifted on so many items? Well, it takes that 21 days of "new habit" time...suddenly, I no longer look for the missing item. A new adventure to travel with just the essentials. What a discovery! It's true, by the way, that leaving space does invite the new. And your experience of downsizing? Share.
Li,
I think that Ron and I are not necessarily downsizing, however we are continuously getting rid of things we do not use. I do like space to move in around...It is so nice to hear from you. A
Li, when I moved 3.5 years ago, I purged a GREAT DEAL. I was moving from a 2-story to a ranch, but same square footage, so still had room, but why move stuff you don't need. Actually the last couple of days I have been going through things in my "junk room" otherwise known as the 4th bedroom.
There will come the day when we have to do the same and I can envision the dumpsters lined on the street for that
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Patricia Feager
Flower Mound, TX
HI Li Read I need to get rid of things too. Too much stuff in the house and garage that I never use. And yes, George Carlin's bit about his stuff is hilarious.
P.S. Beautiful photo at the top of your post!
Hi Li- we've moved many times so each move meant ridding ourselves of certain items. However with our last move, we decided to edit even more of what we had. What I found hard was that many places in South Florida were no longer accepting certain items like books.
I ended up taking the things I really liked and knew would be hard to replace.
So happy to see you here.
Hello Li - any reason to listen to George Carlin is good as far as I am concerned. Riff or not. Good luck.
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Kat Palmiotti
Kalispell, MT
When I had to take care of my parent's estate, I saw how much extra stuff they had. I'm sure it was all important to them, but it wasn't to anyone else. I came home and got rid of a lot of things. Then when we moved, I got rid of more. It did feel good.
Li, I see you haven't blogged for a while, hope you write one again, you have a lot to share.
Li Read - I am still thinking of you and if you read this would love to hear from you.
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