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Hellebores beginning to bloom in my garden.
In 2009 my husband and I decided we needed to move to a smaller home and get rid of the stuff we’d been carrying around with us for years. We put our house on the market, found a lovely home half the size of the one we were in, and began a giant purge. We moved to our new home in June of 2010 and are so grateful that we had decided to go ahead with what at the time was a very daunting process.
Yes, we simplified our lives, but stuff has a way of building up when you’re not looking. And to be perfectly honest there are boxes we still have not yet unpacked from that last move. Not wanting to get caught up in the same mess we were in before we came here, it’s time to clean things out again. The big question is, why do I need the things in those boxes that I haven’t missed in the past seven years? In the next few months I plan on opening up those boxes to see what they hold. I will also clean out the large file cabinet I stuffed old papers in at our last house. When we moved here I removed the important files, placed them in a smaller file-cabinet and promised to weed through the rest when I had time. Guess what? It never happened.
Now I’m yearning to unpack the mystery boxes, and get rid of all those useless files I haven’t gone through in years. I will give away or trash what is no longer useful or necessary. I sometimes wonder what we will do when we can no longer take care of this wonderful space we live in. But it simply isn’t yet time to worry about that. And when the time does come to move on, I don’t want to have to go through a major purge again. So here I am in clean-out mode. Just thinking about shredding old documents and giving away things I no longer want or need always lifts weight from my shoulders and frees my soul.
And it’s not just material goods I’m looking to get rid of. In the past several months since my book was published I’ve taken time to get out, see more people, and have some fun. I want more time for that. Though I will never stop writing and will continue to blog here, I’ve decided to let my newsletter, published on the first of every month, go by the wayside. I’ve had trouble keeping both writing venues interesting to read. And having too many deadlines just doesn’t make me happy. I’d like time to perhaps write essays for other venues, read more, and continue the more relaxed and simpler life I’m enjoying. Some of you are following me both my blog and newsletter. I will be publishing a newsletter tomorrow to inform those who are only following my newsletter about my decision and to encourage them to follow me here.
As for this blog I intend to keep publishing it weekly on Tuesdays, but from time to time may publish it on another day of the week instead. It all depends on what life throws my way. And if I plan to be away from my desk for a while I’ll let you know. I will give more space here to write about the books I’ve been reading, as well as keeping you updated on all the challenges and changes I’m working on.
For those of you who missed my announcement on Facebook last week, I did a radio interview with James Miller on Lifeology, about breaking generational behavior patterns. You can listen to it here.
Are you in the mood to clean out all the old stuff that is keeping you from moving on?
I have to say that I have been homeless twice in my life, which forced me to donate all of my belongings to the local community thrift stores. I only took things with sentimental value in my car. In Oct of 2016 I was homeless in my car with three cats and my boyfriend. My family did not take me in. We do not do drugs or alcohol. I was making 8.00 hr cutting hair. We finally decided to move to Ohio to a cousins house. They had many cats and welcomed us. I am now enrolled in College to get my Masters Degree in HR. I know for a fact that what we thought was important in material possessions IS NOT. I came here with very little and bought clothes at the thrift stores. I have started my life over at age 50! I can help you any way you wish – Bless you and your Husband, xoxo Jackie Paulson
Thanks for stopping by, Jackie. It sounds like you know more than most people of what it is like to give things away while struggling to stay warm and fed. I’m sure getting your masters degree will lead you to a new and more comfortable lifestyle. And yay for cats!
Brava to you for undertaking another purge. Cliff and I each got rid of 1/3 of the stuff we had accumulated over 37 years, making a conscious decision to keep the necessities and whatever else sparks ⚡️ joy in our lifestyle now.
You are wise to use this post-publication time to re-evaluate priorities. My website designer says newsletters are becoming passé though some find them useful. If that’s something you need to off load, so be it.
You are on the right track, Joan . More power to you!
Thanks, Marian. Moving is great for purging. It’s all about keeping things simple and manageable. I can write about everything I want to and publish it on my blog, so the newsletter just seemed something extra that I had to do. How is your writing coming?
yes, Yes, YES — doing the Snoopy Happy Dance for you!
Thanks, Laurie. I can see you somewhere in the snow, purging words and thoughts onto paper and writing a masterpiece!!
Oh my gosh, Joan. Yes!! I am in the mood to sift, sort and purge my life of all the extraneous “stuff” that has accumulated around me. Whether we end up downsizing or staying where we’re, we still need a good spring cleaning. I love how you are so grounded in your priorities and have taken action to do what you need to do. Brava and enjoy your new path!
I love your enthusiasm, Kathy. Going through our “stuff” and making decisions about what to keep or discard is also wonderful exercise for the brain, which I’m finding has it’s fuzzy times.
Good for you Joan!! I’m building up to a clear out too.