Back to Basics
I’ve had fun the last few days, streamlining my pantry, fridge, clothes closet, and home office.
Out with chips and peanut butter and rice and cereal that have been around a bit too long. And what about those sandals and running shoes and blouses and sweaters that have passed the five-year mark and the towels that have seen better days? Time to pass them on.
And books and photos and trinkets that could free up space for something fresh and new?
Yep! Back to basics. Back to essentials. Back to what makes me happy and brings me joy–from food choices to wall hangings to plants and paintings.
I notice as I get older I have a tendency to ‘hang on’ to items just because they’re there. No more. From now on, love ’em or let ’em go.
How about you? How are you handling the excess in your life?
“The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.” — Hans Hofmann
Oh Boy~does this hit home!?! When I sold my condo in Cape Coral and moved to Orlando to live with my daughter and son-in-law I did not have time to do a lot of sorting (condo sold quick!) so I still have boxes that need to be sorted but with the condition I have with walking I cannot do it by myself and Tanya and Fred have “jobs” ha~so ?? Well, I do bits and pieces but thank goodness I have a daughter that tells me not to worry about it as she will just have her daughters to come in after I am ‘gone’ and they can take what she does not want to save and the rest can be ????WELL I guess we will have to wait for the answer! Some of the things I feel should be tossed Tanya wants to keep so I am blessed to have her. As for clothes I have no problem with that as I am not able to go places anyway~ha~ I am happy being a “home body” and enjoy my books,blogs etc. Good luck to you my Friend~Love you, Margaret
What a great personal story, Margaret. Thanks for sharing.
I wish I had your enthusiasm and energy. I badly need to follow your lead. I keep procrastinating on that project. It desperately needs to be done. Maybe you will inspire me. 🙂
I don’t feel inspired some days so I admit my inspiration comes and goes.
When I moved from a big victorian house to a tract home O got rid of lots of stuff. Then I moved to a mobile home and got rid of lots more. But, somehow, stuff still keeps multiplying and I can’t bear to part with things that have sentimental value.
I can appreciate your experience, Janet. I have a cabinet for my little ‘treasures.’ There is a limit to how much I will part with. 😊
Amen!!! What a life giving thing to do for yourself Karen. I am working on getting my art studio in order, giving away art supplies to friends that have ministries. Life feels so much better and I feel that I am on solid ground when I release what I don’t need. It makes me happy that I give things away to people who really appreciate them.
I agree to sharing what we don’t want or need anymore.
Amen!!! What a life giving thing to do for yourself Karen. I am working on getting my art studio in order, giving away art supplies to friends that have ministries. Life feels so much better and I feel that I am on solid ground when I release what I don’t need. It makes me happy that I give things away to people who really appreciate them.
Thanks, Sandy. The website is working again so it’s good to see your post and what you’re doing to bring order to your art studio.
We all could use a little more of the “love it or let it go” mentality Karen. We consumers sure like to consume & collect don’t we.
This year I made a commit to continue my goal to downsize my stuff. But, it started as an overwhelming idea because most of my stuff is stored due to remodeling projects. So, I just decided not to tackle it in a consuming way.
I committed to getting rid of one thing each day. (Whether trashing donating or selling) and this plan is working great.
I’m preparing for a yard sale when I have enough stuff together.
It’s changing my mindset on what I keep and bring in to my home too
It might only be a magazine one day, leftovers or emails but something leaves everyday & sometimes 2 or three things.
I think this may become a lifestyle and not a seasonal cleaning project.
Hope your project is going well too Karen.
🌸Smiles, BRC
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Great plan, Beth–one or two items per day. I love that.
How exciting and inspiring…we are in the same frame of mind. Dick has a tendency to hang onto everything. I want to get rid of everything, ha ha. I wait till he is busy and make a run to good will. We made an agreement the other day that nothing comes into the house without one item leaving…it’s working:))))
I love this plan. Nothing comes in without something going out.
IT was a week Tuesday that I had hip surgery. I will be going home this coming Friday.
MY activities will be limited but I can still point and check what I would like to get rid of. Russ will assist me.
We both are trying to weed out. ONE day at a time!
Hi Joan. Best wishes for a full recovery from hip surgery and then to your weeding project.