Today, I got rid of...yay!

[Sachita]

busy busy

I've been getting rid of so much stuff. Donating, trashing, too much stuff.
getting rid of the cookies and sugar I keep bringing back into the house. Every time I go through anything emotional I turn to sugar. I'd like to get rid of what keeps making me do this.

Getting rid of heartache I've been carrying too long. Today things change.

[Words]

Originally Posted by Sachita

Today things change.

That's the spirit.

(((Sachita)))

[Words]

June. Juuuuuuuuuune. Oh JUUUUUUUUUUUNE.

I KNOW you're watching, sooooooo...

Come on, spill...

[iamkeri1]

Today I am proud to report that I got rid of an old toilet that I have been keeping in my garage for six years. I am also proud to report that I ended up using it for exactly what I kept it for - to replace a damaged toilet in my rental home. Oh sorry ... that kind of supports keeping it for as long as I did doesn't it?

Well, I am actually not much of a pack rat. I was married to a pack rat for twenty-five years, though. Since his death, it is a lot harder to get rid of stuff he hoarded than it would have been while he was alive. Now it has become kind of dear to me, so I rationalize keeping it. I have made a lot of progress though. Last fall I took two whole van loads to Goodwill. They "won" the donations because they have a drive-through delivery system and they actually unload all the stuff out of the car for you. Yah Goodwill!!!

Words this is a great thread, and I hope I will have lots of things to come and brag about giving away.
Smooches,
Keri

[Words]

Originally Posted by iamkeri1

I was married to a pack rat for twenty-five years, though. Since his death, it is a lot harder to get rid of stuff he hoarded than it would have been while he was alive. Now it has become kind of dear to me, so I rationalize keeping it. I have made a lot of progress though. Last fall I took two whole van loads to Goodwill. They "won" the donations because they have a drive-through delivery system and they actually unload all the stuff out of the car for you. Yah Goodwill!!!

Keri,

You want the truth? If something were to happen to B. I think I'd find it extremely hard to get rid of anything that belonged to Hym so I really admire you for what you did.

I know my parents are already trying to reduce their possessions because they don't want my siblings or I to have to deal with it when they're gone. I know because my mother has told me, several times now, that this is what they're - or rather she's; my father won't let go of anything - doing, and although it makes me incredibly sad to think of their passing, I have to admit that I'm actually supporting them in their bid to get rid of stuff they no longer need, not because I don't want the 'trouble' of doing it when they're gone but because I'm not sure I'd be able to cope with it emotionally. Truth is, though, they have waaaaay too much stuff - my mother still uses my cut up, perfectly laundered and folded diapers (I'm 50!) - as face cloths (!), in spite of having a cupboard full of new ones - so it really does need to be done if for no other reason than to allow them to enjoy their golden years without being surrounded by clutter.

Anyway, thanks for sharing Keri...

Words

[Lynn]

I like this thread. It's a different perspective on the hoarder discussion. I watch those shows on late night TV and see things that people are keeping that are also in my house. Skeery.

Things I have trouble letting go:
-books, especially "good" books
-legal or important papers that I might need some day
-plastic containers for storing food
-extra buttons that come with clothing
-random electronics cords which might go with something important
-jewelry that I don't like

That's just a short list. Of all the things, the papers are most intrusive in our lives. There's too much paper lying around, cluttering tabletops and piled here and there. It remains somewhat manageable mainly because my partner couldn't stand for it to get worse. If she weren't around, I believe it would be much worse.

So...today I will spend just ten minutes going through the papers in the dining room, filling a bag with mail and papers to throw away or recycle.

I will also post the buttons to freecycle. Someone will love them for crafts or sewing, neither of which are things I do.

[Gemme]

Today was trash and recycling day, so out went the large bag o' trash from downstairs and my small bag o' garbage in my bedroom as well as a HUGE bin of stuff for recycling.

Most of my sorting/sifting/recycling/tossing/etc comes during my off days, when I have the time to actually read and filter through my junk. Some days, I'm sure I look like this

[key]

a pile of canvases that I have painted on, hate the paintings, or never completed them, but can't bare to paint over them. But I don't care if someone else does - just don't tell me about it. (I take my art waaaaay toooooo seriously - not sure what to do about that).

Honestly, over 1/2 of my possessions are art or music supplies. But that still does not mean that I need them all. And it certainly does not mean that if I get rid of something today, if I need it tomorrow, I won't be able to replace it.

The universe is ever overflowing.