Hello all!
Yes, I have
been missing in action for a while. I sold my little house after 19 years,
moved into a brand new swanky loft/apartment three blocks away, drove to Junk
Bonanza in Minneapolis and then to Texas for the Round Top Antiques Fair!! Then
on to Carol Hicks Bolton and Magnolia Pearl in Fredericksburg; Magnolia in Waco
and finished up with Pioneer Woman in Oklahoma. Yes, sometimes it pays off to
live in the Midwest!! What an overloading trip of retail inspiration!! Then
back to a new home where the decorating is still underway- (yes, pictures will
come eventually).
My new loft
has taken some getting used to I admit, but I am up for the challenge. The
footprint seems actually bigger than my little house. In the last couple months
I have literally touched ever single item I own more than once from having an
estate sale to packing to unpacking... Christmas stuff, jewelry, kitchen
utensils, office papers, clothes, furniture, trinkets.... you name it. It has
been quite a lesson in accumulation and organization. (How many times can you
say, "I can't believe how much stuff I have!?"). In my defense, this
was 19 years of living in the same place with a basement, porch, backyard and
garage; leftovers from closing a store, current vintage inventory and well,
being a crafty-antiquing gal. So you can imagine the stuff that overwhelmed
when I decided to move.
I ran
across an article this morning and thought I would segue my story above into
sharing this with you. As we all get older sometimes its time to step back and
empty the stuff that's clogging our lives, our homes and our minds! This was
written for your clothes closet but I am modifying it to include our entire
possessions:
GET RID OF:
1. Anything That Doesn't Fit
If it
doesn't fit physically, emotionally, and spiritually: your body, your home,
your lifestyle, and your relationships.
2. Anything You Wouldn't Want To Buy
Right This Minute
- I love
this one because your style changes (it SHOULD change!). What you bought three,
five or ten years ago may be time to donate.
3. Pieces That Don't Make You Love
Your Body
- Or love
your home, your office, or your life.
4. Articles That Are Broken, Unfixable,
Worn Out
- or items
that just need a little something to make them right: painting, sewing, fixing,
cleaning, etc.
5. Gifted Items You Have No
Inclination To Ever Wear/Use
- I am
amazed at friends and clients that won’t get rid of something because someone
gave it to them... years ago! Now there are always exceptions to something
sentimental, but usually it is not. In fact, you probably downright don’t like
it. Give it away!! Do you really think your friend or family member will disown
you? If so, I have one little adjustment to this: keep a small box or suitcase
with these items tucked away and bring them out when your gift giver is coming
over.
5. Items You Think You
"Should" Own
- Just
because it’s trendy or cool or your friend has it doesn’t mean it’s for you!
6. Items You Haven't Used In The
Past Year
7. Items You Don't Feel Special
While Wearing, Using or Viewing
8. Pieces That Don't Give You Joy
-See #7
9. Pieces You've Only Used/Worn Once
10. Pieces You Once Loved, But Are
Now Bored Of
11. Things That You're Only Holding
Onto Because They We’re Expensive
- Lesson
learned!
12. Pieces That Make You Think Of
Past Relationships
- I love
this one too. MOVE ON especially if there are some hurtful memories.
13. Items You Accidentally Bought
& Want To Replace
- Sometimes
we buy what we can afford (sometimes we can’t afford them in the first place!!).
In my case, I had lived with the same sheets, towels, and dishes for 19 years!!
It was time to get rid of them all and buy new.
