Sunday, April 20, 2008

Okay, that's it.

Today will be the day that life in my house is going to change, and it's going to remain unusual for quite some time. I dread it, but it has to be done. I am going to begin tearing things OUT of their places and put the unwanteds into two different piles. One will be for throwing away, one will be for the upcoming garage sale. When I am finished, within the next three or four days, it is my intention to have at least fifty percent of the stupid, stupid things in this house ready to be disposed of. I have had it with living with over-flowing. I have had it with opening a cupboard or cabinet and things either threaten to fall or actually fall...I have had it with my own clothes closet wrinkling my clothes...I have had it. I am 48 years old. I have saved everything that everyone has ever given me, because that's just the way that I am. I don't like to hurt anyone's feelings, and the very idea that someone thought of me in the first place and then bought-made-gave something to me has been enough to make me hang on to that item for a lifetime. I cannot/will not be a slave to that anymore. I desire so strongly to open my cupboards and cabinets and find just a few, loved, beautiful things...that have plenty of room...that have their own place, and not one that has been so thought out, so wedged into their spot, that if you move just one item, nothing else will fit in that cabinet, ever. If you mattered to me enough to think of me to give me something, then you are in my heart. If you didn't, well....that item is not going to change that. I am going to be ruthless. Maybe even downright heartless. Because I have had it.

However, living with-in-among disarray is very hard for me. And after we dispose of the unwanteds, then we have to begin packing the things that we will take with us. And you all know how hard it is to live in a house that is that screwed up. But it must be done. And beginning today, I am doing it.

Wish me luck.

If you all don't hear from me for awhile, then perhaps you should worry. Perhaps you should consider calling out a search party or maybe even the national guard, as after all, I don't really KNOW what lies within...(insert evil laugh here). Gulp.

10 comments:

Summer said...

My sister is in the process of doing the same thing in her house. Her problem is material and yarn she's bought and just packed away thinking ONE day she will certainly use it. Then there are rubbermaid containers full of pieces of paper. Don't get me started. BUT...I've been looking around this junk pile I live in. the time has come...

BWAHAHAHAHAHA!

Smocha said...

Amen sister!!!

Down with clutter!!!!

:)))

Mary said...

Seventeen years ago I was 48. You are a long way from "over the hill".

I don't have the time constraints that you do and I'm only doing one room at a time but I'm involved in the same process. It's so rewarding to look back on success. I'm not going to try the garage sale route - I'm hauling the garage sale stuff to the animal rescue shelter to donate. They have a big thrift shop.

I don't envy you the whole house effort. Hang in there you can do it.

Amanda said...

[Shudder] Thou art brave. May the force be with you!

Now I must do it.

desert dirt diva said...

i wish you luck, when io moved we took trailer loads, to the dump... and that was very hard.. and i mean 2 car trailor loads...and dumpster loads to and as i still am unpacking i am still throwing stuff away... so good luck!

Cheryl said...

You'll feel so unburdened when you're done with this, but what a job! Did the kids come and take their stuff? Is anyone helping you? I don't envy you this huge task.

I'm sorry you didn't get the job you wanted. You said next week's interview is for a job you'd like, right? I sure hope you get it. Don't doubt yourself...you're worth it.

Golden To Silver Val said...

LOL, you have described my house. The other day I opened the cupboard to get out a coffee mug and one fell out onto the counter and broke because they are so packed in there. I wish you SOOOO MUCH luck on this endeavor. Come see me, I have given you an award....come get it.
Remember to rest at regular intervals. Lets not be hurting ourselves....promise? Hugs, Charlotte

Moohaa said...

I love cleaning out clutter. Of course living in 1000sq ft, it is hard to have things and it not seem cluttered. I, too, like keeping things, that's why I got into scrap booking (not the froo froo kind, just throwing things in a book, writing a bit about it and moving on).

Big huge loads of luck in the move. I hate moving. I'm sorry you have to on top of everything else.

Hugs.

Oh and when it comes to the hard stuff to sort through, just close your eyes and toss, it helps.

Rebecca said...

Good luck decluttering. I hear it is a liberating thing. I have to do it behind my husband's back, as HE is the pack rat. I completely understand not being to live with disarray, but it is short lived, and necessary. It will be ok. In a month and a half (I am including unpacking time in the new digs) all will be well. You will start your summer in a clutter free, brand new space. Just keep picturing that while you take a deep breath in through your nose, out through your mouth :)

xo
r.

Portia said...

Completely inspiring! I would say this is more rational than heartless.