Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Purging

I feel like there's a lot of stuff in my life that just needs to go. It's like I'm constantly stepping over something to get the the thing that I really need. And now that it's getting colder outside this is becoming not only a bit more obvious, but annoying as well. The end result is that I get quickly overwhelmed which leads to unmotivation which then leads to procrastination which results with grumpiness. None of this is a good thing, nor is it helpful to my family.

Some things have got to go. I have neither the time nor the energy to maintain it all. I once read a blog by someone who actually got rid of everything but the bare essentials. Their home consisted of walls, carpet and a few pieces of furniture. They had seven outfits that they rotated every single week. Though, I'm not ready to go to that extreme, it is worth contemplating. It sure would free up some space not only in our home, but in my brain.

We're away for a few days for Fall Break. I hope to arrive home with a plan to start tackling the unnecessaries before they tackle me!

Is it just me or does any one else struggle with this?

9 comments:

Melanie said...

Not just you--these have been almost my exact thoughts since school started!

Tisha Alexander said...

I always blame it on the size of our house, but we do have a lot of things we could get rid of!

Alaina said...

Yep, I have the same problem and just told Andrew the other day that I wanted to go completely minimalistic. He was worried...

Duckygirl said...

Yep, I'm feeling like this too! We did get rid of everything except the bare essentials when we moved last year, but it quickly returns if you are not careful. :P I tend to toss things a lot easier now than I used to. Also for our kids the toys have been kept to a minimum, they really don't miss the ones we got rid of so why replace them?

~laura

Tara said...

How did you do that? You got into my brain and wrote the post of my life. I'm constantly pick up and feel like I'm constantly purging, but must not be or I'd have nothing left! Time to set the timer and get busy. :)

Andrea said...

7 sets of clothes sure would make laundry easier!! I'm always mumbling about the stuff...ugh...

Unknown said...

When we lost everything 7 years ago at first there was a mourning period...then there was a freedom! :-)
Even now, it is extremely easy for me to get rid of things. I can't stand clutter and don't want "stuff" laying around. Clothes not worn in 6 mos or so go out the door. We don't have any collections of things anymore...I collected turtles for years and years and had hundreds of them - I've sold or given them all away except for about 3 that were special gifts. Now when Greg and I start to purchase something, the first thing we talk about is "where will this fit/go in the house" so it's out of the way but easily accessible. If we can't determine a place we don't buy it. I know I get my obsessive non-clutter outlook from my mother who is a hoarder! Ugh! It's awful going to her house and seeing the hoards of stuff shoved everywhere. LOL, definitely NOT what I want my house to look like.

Angie said...

Struggle doesn't even begin to describe! When I moved into my new house, I burned A LOT of old paperwork. I actually got a little giddy burning it all and when I started looking for some papers for my adoption renewal, I feared I had burned my 2008 tax return among other things. I say that as a gentle reminder to be careful as you pitch, but it does feel so much better. I know what a chore it is with just me...can't imagine the thought of a houseful. I will be praying the Lord lights a fire under all of you! ;) Do some before and after shots for us!

Anonymous said...

Hi Monica, Julie (Laws) Kelly here. I'm able to leave a comment!!! Yes, I'm exactly where you are. I have made at least 12 trips to goodwill and yet I still have more than we need. I once read a book about housekeeping called "Housekeeping for Messies" - that is ME! It stems alot from my ADHD (ugh) but one good rule of thumb was that if you had not touched something in six months or more, pitch it. Obviously not Grandma's jewelry or valuables, but clothes that are for "just in case I need them" or "things that can be fixed (that I'll never do)". I have done that a few times and it really does make a difference. However, it's time for me to do it again.