I think about people who has lost everything due to a fire or natural disaster. They mourn the loss of personal photos and sentimental trinkets then they rebuild their lives, lighter. They don’t need stuff anymore. Many take to RV’s where there is no room for anything extra. Many just live with less knowing that all their stuff just got in the way.
As I prepare to move, I wonder if it wouldn’t be easier to just get rid of all my stuff. I am going to buy a house to move into but how much do I need? Would it make more sense to buy it all on the flip side? Am I saving money paying movers to move it or is it cheaper to get ride of it? I live in a home less than 1600 square feet so I don’t have all that much anyway. I want my new house to have a good sized kitchen open to a living area, a room for my son and another for visiting guests. It must have an art space so I can create my mosaics in a room that I don’t need to clean when we want to have guests over. I’ve been thinking that a master bedroom on the ground floor is a must with all the aches and pains that have come on as I get older. So how much do I need to fill these spaces? I wish I was not sentimental about the things I have. Maybe if I get rid of things I bought for myself when I thought they could make me happier would be the way to go. Keep things that were my mother’s or grandmother’s or things that remind me of my dad or a good friend.
My sister told me not to tell her what I am getting rid of because she is afraid she will try to talk me out of it. My father was always a good declutterer. He would get rid of things and not even ask anyone permission. Of course that did make us mad as kids when he trashed out “treasurers” that we’d dug up in the yard. Our house must have been on the side of a 19th century dump belonging to a mansion in our neighborhood. We played archeologist and dug up broken clay jugs, medicine bottle, legs from a claw foot tub and so many oyster shells.
I have a bag ready to go to a nature center with a peacock feather, turtle shell, deer antler and some other tactile things that are good for kids discovering nature. My local park blew me off when I called to ask about a donation. I used to take my son to their touchable display so I know they have a need. I think maybe I just sneak the things in a backpack and leave them in the display is the thing to do.
I’m learning that selling your things online is a fickle business. You never know what people might have an interest in. The things you think will sell and have worth, no one wants. I have good stuff but it does not serve me anymore. I want my friends to come over and do some free shopping. Another issue that gets me stuck is where to donate. Goodwill is easy but am I better off taking stuff to a Thrift Store that benefits a certain organization like Prison Ministry, or a shelter for victims of domestic violence? I keep looking at my dining room table full of stuff and thinking I should open a gift shop for a couple months until I move, surely someone would buy my discards. I need a counselor to help me part with stuff.
Moving forward after the move, I will let friend know that gifts of service (like unloading my POD or helping me paint the interior of my house), consumables or experiences would be more welcome than things. If you value our friendship and love me, don’t contribute to my clutter.
Nell Carroll Photography 