Just What I Need
While talking with a friend recently we touched on the subject of ‘clutter.’ We live in a community for people 50 and over and our garages are looking pretty cluttered, some still holding baby cribs and clothes, tricycles and skateboards. She is ready to toss stuff that’s been haunting her and also weighing her down for years.
The kids are grown and gone so it’s time to focus, as she said, “on just what I need.” It was easy for me to envision her lightening and brightening her home and property, something I’m in the mood to do, as well, the second time around.
I still have saws and hammers and nails and cans of paint and Christmas tree ornaments and so much more from the days before my husband died in 2015. Surely somebody would make good use of them. I’m going to pay one of my granddaughters to help me decide what to keep and what to toss or what to sell on Craig’s List or Facebook Marketplace.
I get a little nervous and even teary when I think of letting go of all this. Every item is attached to a memory. Then I realize I can keep the memory in my mind and heart. It doesn’t need a bag or a box.
So I will keep just what I need and want and let go of the rest. Settled! 👍
I recent heard that someone came up with the idea to take photos of things that are hard to part with. Photos on my phone will take up a lot less room than all the clutter- and I understand that looking at photos can evoke those same feelings as physically having the object. Since I too have reservations about giving up sentimental things, this definitely sounds like something that I’ll do to “lighten my load!”
This is a GREAT idea. Thanks for sharing it with us.
I so relate to this, Karen. But I like your resolve that the memory you still get to keep and the treasure goes to someone who will make use of it. Our real gems are kept in our minds and hearts.
well said!
Yes, in our minds and hearts and photos too, although even photos can become clutter no matter how we store them.
I agree.
Just before I read this , I was sitting here looking up on eBay and Etsy to see what a couple of my “treasures are worth. They are just two of dozens other things I or someone will have to dispose of some day. I am overwhelmed at times with the accumulation of stuff. Some valuable , mostly vintage and sentimental things.
I may need to borrow someone daughter to help me. Mine is moving to another state .
Thanks for reminding me I am not alone in my cluttered life .😀
We all can use a little support, for sure.
I can relate very well to this! When I could no longer live alone and moved to live with my daughter and son-in-law we got rid of a lot of “stuff: but kept things we really loved and have ‘blended’ a lot of them with Tanya and Fred, Not long ago one of my granddaughter’s was visiting and told us she wants my Dad’s old wind up clock and she mentioned a few other things that I was happy to hear she wanted. I know it is different in your case as you are still living with “all your stuff”~ha~ and mine is mixed in with my family here. it is hard but taking photos of some of these things is good and then get rid of what you can but my problem is no one wants to buy the fine china, silver platters, dishes that have to be “hand washed” Ha! Even the antique places say they cannot sell them. SO we will just enjoy them as we can be happy and thankful we enjoyed them “Once Upon A Time”!
Love you, Margaret
Lovely share, Margaret.
its such a relief to hear others feeling and facing the same sentimental piles.
I dont mind giving it up belongings when I know they will be enjoyed.
Sharing our treasures is a lovely thing to do and then giving away the rest.
There is something freeing about eliminating clutter. I need to do it again soon. One thing I did after Jerry died and several groups had made beautiful poster collages for him was to take photos of the collages. I could keep the photos (and the memories) and let the big posterboards go. Not as easy a solution for some of what you are going through. I wish you joy as you work through them and determine what someone else might enjoy as you and Charles have!
I’ve made a lot of progress. Now for a few cupboards in the garage.
Great food for thought Karen!
Now we know why various items are call “whatnots”—
They make us ask, “What to keep and what not to keep?”☺️
That is the big question. 🧐
When it comes down to it we have to follow your hearts and consider it’s usefulness and what joy things bring.
🌸Smiles, BRC
Oops. 🤦🏼♀️
Please excuse the typos. Thanks, BRC
Thanks, Beth. I’m with you on this.
It is refreshing to be able to release things we don’t need and focus on the treasures and love in our lives. Well done Karen.
Thanks. It seems we are all of similar minds on this. God will guide our decisions. I’m going to rest in that.
I have a cupboard, baby buggy, high chair and crib and a thumbelina baby doll that moved when you turned the knob on her back. I got them for Christmas one year. I was 9 and couldn’t believe I got them. I loved all of it. I know I don’t need them and the toys today are so much more realistic these days, my grandkids aren’t interested. I have tried to put them in a garage sale, I CANNOT do it. It’s kinda crazy. They are like gold to me. It’s true they are material things, and one day all of it will be gone, just like the rest of all the stuff we all have. And I know I should let go. That’s one problem about aging, there’s too much time to think about what to do. When I was raising a family I did what had to be done. Period. Oh well, just sayin.