Saturday, June 21, 2008

Stop Me Before I Throw Out Something Important

It really was this post on Nini Makes that got me thinking. Those words..."They only collect things they love and keep only things that are special."

So I have been on a clutter, nay, stuff purge today and I am worried. I have already made a trip to the local thrift shop to drop off three boxes. I no longer worry about trash? keep? recycle?, now my mantra is "Does this have meaning to me?".

The house is worse looking than when I began, but things always get worse before they get better...right?

8 comments:

Robin said...

Some inspiration?

"Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful." -William Morris

"The middle of every successful project looks like a disaster." -Rosabeth Moss Cantor

Anonymous said...

I'm still waiting for the better part, I am a compulsive de-clutterer but I never seem to get to the bottom of the pile.
Good luck, I do think it is really freeing to get rid of stuff you don't need. My big thing to overcome was about gifts from people I didn't want. My sister had a good point; she said no one would give you a gift in hopes you would keep it even if you didn't like it. It's a gift, not a punnishment.

Mary Beth said...

I often think of that William Morris quote and I strive for it. It's a goal. Clutter is a big issue here since we have too much family for our house, so I'm constantly decluttering, or needing to. Good luck, Amy! And yes, do e-mail me with those pictures you mentioned.

Anonymous said...

Pull in your clothes lines -- it's going to storm for a couple days in NOVA!!!

ames said...

I might be crazy but I really love tearing into absolutely everything so that it looks like a nuke has hit, then organizing my way out of the mess. It's therapeutic like putting together a jigsaw puzzle, and I often find better places and uses for things the second time around. You just *cannot* walk away from it mid-nuke or much suffering will ensue. A steady supply of caffeine and music helps too.

Anonymous said...

I love that quote that Robin posted. I always seem to be decluttering but tend to put more emotional ties on things as well.
I really have to be in a certain "mood" to get the job done. But it's always a few days of messy madness when I am sorting through piles of stuff. That part drives me crazy!!
I went out this weekend to get more containers to put junk in to organize it, but opted to purge instead. A much better choice I think!

Geggie said...

Oh lord! I'm right there with you, only packing it and schlepping it to Chicago! Yikes! Today will be my second trip to the thrift store.

Jessica said...

I need to work toward this goal of reducing clutter in my life. My job is sooo paper-filled and my life seems to get busy and clutter collects. This summer I'm cleaning out-I hate the feeling of stuff everywhere so friday it is starting...less stuff!