My big old house has a big old front porch. Right now that big old front porch is full of boxes and bags and plastic totes, and all those containers are full of Stuff. Stuff That I No Longer Need (and I’m not sure that I ever did).
Last weekend, a bunch of folks that live in my neighborhood held simultaneous yard sales. Working together, we thought we’d draw a lot more people to take home our junk. (or priceless treasures…. Whatever.)
I was on a mission – we started talking about this several months ago, so I started purging several months ago. I’ve been out of college for 18 years, and I had the sundry candle holders, throw rugs and out of style blazers to prove it. It was time to get rid of my Stuff – finally I would be free of earthly burdens and materialism and I could truly reach my higher potential as a human being.
(BTW - I fully own my tendency toward drama. But I think if you can get your hands on an old copy of The Way of the Bull by Leo Buscaglia, you just might feel the same way.)
In spite of the rain and hail and rip-stop winds that broke up my sunshine and leisurely conversation, my plan worked. I got rid of a LOT of stuff. And what is left can be easily dropped off at the church rummage sale in a few weeks. I feel lighter somehow. My house looks cleaner. Other people are making good use of stuff that was taking up space and getting in my way. Win-win.
Now that I’m back in my office, I’m feeling the urge again. What can I get rid of here? What’s in my way or weighing me down in my 9’square den-o-creativity?
First, there’s that stack of magazines that I haven’t read since January. (guess what?) Then, there are two file drawers full of training resources from 15 years ago (previous career in higher education, student services) that I’m probably never going to use again. (are they even relevant any more?)
I wonder why I (we) hold on to Stuff. George Carlin’s hilarious monologue aside, am I carrying forth the values of my grandparents and their depression-era habits, or am I afraid of what will happen if I don’t have exactly the right resource (or candle-holder) at exactly the right time?
One person’s junk is another person’s treasure, they say. It feels good to purge and I hate to dust (Stuff collects a lot of dust). My goal was to get rid of 50% of my Stuff. I don’t think I went that far, but I hit a good number. (25% maybe)
Now – my challenge to you. 10% of your stuff – dump it. What will it be?
Submitted by Robin Lynn Grinnell
Filed under: General
After purging much of my “stuff” I implemented at home the “one new thing in, one old thing out”. And that’s worked pretty well (especially freeing up space in the closet). Perhaps I should try that in my office with all those old files….