It’s difficult to let go of things. I’m not talking about a broken friendship or relationship or anything of that magnitude. Just things. I’ve been almost conscientious about keeping things that might have use or value one day. But as I’m growing and changing and starting new projects and chapters, it’s time create some space and let go of the old. Carrie-friend commented on my last post, “People add value to your life, things add clutter.”
Things I have issues getting rid of because I will use them one day or because they are sentimental or because I’m a hoarder:
- Grade school schoolwork (Do I really need a spelling test from 5th grade?) (Yes?) (Pretty please?)
- Office supplies (Well I could use ten million pens at work or at home or…never)
- Plane ticket stubs (I swear I traveled there! See? But how many can I really scrapbook?)
- Clothes (I could wear that one day. I might need it. It was a gift. Rule of thumb: if I haven’t worn it in over a year…it’s time for charity!)
- Jewelry (Those stretchy bead bracelets I made in the 8th grade?)
- Greeting cards (Yes, I have about half of my high school graduation cards. Yes, some of them only have a signature and no message.)
- Beanie Babies (Still waiting for the value to skyrocket as it did when I was 12…)
I can’t wait for my upcoming massive-cleaning-marathon where I will unfortunately have to let go of some of the aforementioned objects of my skewed affection. That was a mouthful. Anyway, with a clearer space, I hopefully will have a clearer mind and be able to focus on what brings me joy, not stress.
In my pitiful defense, I’m not the only one with this issue! Ashley-friend wrote about it here. And there’s an entire show about it. So there.
William Morris said, "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful." No, rusted paperclips, you are not useful nor beautiful.
What can’t you let go of? What helps you let go?
Gah, I'm still having trouble with this. Admittedly, there are still 2 happy meal toys stuck in a drawer somewhere. I was able to send off a bunch of old magazines to half price books though, so I'm considering it a draw... Me-1, Stuff-1. It's a work in progress.
ReplyDeleteOh, and as far as plane ticket stubs go... you should make an envelope to attach to the (inside) back cover of your scrapbooks, then put plane tickets that correspond to the trips in that book in it. Easy way to put them in your scrapbooks, without taking up page space. And then you don't have to throw them out! Yes, I realize this probably makes me an enabler.
ReplyDeleteWait a minute...what do you mean by "old" magazines? How old will they accept?
ReplyDelete