Ahh [tag]Spring cleaning[/tag] in my mind. A clutter-free existence is something I always look forward to all the time. This time I have the perfect reason to nag family members to get their butt moving because we’re transferring to our new home by the second week of March. Whatever junk they choose to pack will be carried over to their new rooms. It’s their problem. The Lady cat in our home is flustered as she sees stressed-out-old me clearing up the junk and what not. It’s difficult for me to let go of memories as I held the girl’s ballerina tutus in front of me. I decide “This goes to the “For Keeps” corner”. Lady , the cat lies down on the tutu and observes my “Goodbye Gulo” activity. Even if you’re not moving homes, it’s best for everyone to have some semblance of a clutter-free existence. Clutter causes stress, the feeling of not being in control or the absence of peace of mind due to panic searching for needed items. What about dust that settles on useless items.
So what have I tossed out?
1. Old Magazines and newspapers , of course. The only ones I kept are issues of “Real Living” and other Home decor magazines for the obvious reason that we’re trying to “decorate our new home” the amateur way.
2. Aging medicine , makeup, cosmetics which have expiration dates anyway.
3. Damaged items. Naturally if it’s broken, I can survive without it.
4. Out of style clothes or shoes. My husband thinks that his old clothes “will come back in style”. I think it’s not worth hanging on to for such fearless forecast. I can’t believe the junk he has in his closet. My space for clothes are 1/4 his closet space.
5. Party souvenirs. The kids have a lot of these stacked around in corners of their rooms. It’s collecting dust mites. Ugh.
6. Random Decorative items or gifts. I can get sentimental over gifts given by special friends or family members. Reality sinks in when the gift does not go with the rest of the decor. Should I feel obligated to keep those gifts or to let them go? It’s best to keep the love and the warmth that went with the gift but I can dare throw away the symbol. (the gift).
7. Fiction books. The books in our home are just too much. If I had to bring all the books in the house, we will have to let go of one room. So bye bye half of the books at home.
It can be a difficult choice to let go . When faced with an item that I can’t use, I often just give it away, even if it was given as a gift, or I paid lots of money for it. At least someone can benefit from the item and money paid for it is not wasted. I feel so liberated seeing all the junk piled up at the garage . I feel lighter and more energized as I will have lesser things to pack up . Less is really more.
Wow, letting go of fiction books. If I were to do a spring cleaning, that would be the hardest to let go of. Unless of course I’m too old for that book already.
So what are you going to do with the books?
i went thru the same thing when i move to my house more than a year ago, yes i live alone but the things i accumulated over the years of renting a unit were unbelievably like that of a family of 6! it’s a bit hard to let go of the little things you had, but if they really don’t have much use other than collecting dust, let go! but, the clothes! hah! i share your husband’s thoughts hehehe.
just a suggestion, do a garage sale or donate some…
keep safe. 😀
@Tina- I am giving them to family members to choose then maybe later, garage sale them
@Zherwin- maybe it’s a guy thing. I am planning a garage sale.
Good,the best way to dispose of unused items is when u r moving house.My unsolicited advise is for you to have a garage or yard sale for your discarded items.
Or you can donate them to victims of flood or other calamities. Do not bring them with you to the new house anymore.
Happy House cleaning and house moving!!!
@Betty- yes I have a garage sale this saturday and another one by the end of the month. There’s someone who buys stuff wholesale from garage sale. But I will consider that option when the garage sale ends.
Ur moving! Or have moved? Exciting, though stressful.
It’s hard to dispose of clutter — books, knickknacks, papers, clothes. But you got to be ruthless sometimes ha?
So we got this agreement now with some friends (the barkada that I have, some of whom you know)– no more gifts for birthdays and christmas. Just lunch/dinner and maybe flowers. Yung perishables. Omit stuff that would add to clutter.
Congrats nga pala for your continuing blogging success! Benchmark to aspire for — that’s how i regard you.
Ta!
@Annamanila- I ‘m moving March pa. True, I have to be ruthless talaga. I think food is a great gift to give. Flowers too. Benchmark! hehe.
Hi, im a silent reader of this blog. im also moving house this march. most of the stuff that i have accumulated were thrown away or given to the people who are helping me move my things.. but there is still so much junk left. i dont have time to have a garage sale so im curious, where can you find someone who buys stuff wholesale? thanks
I would appreciate any information as to how do I dispose off or where do I bring my beautiful clothes (but outdated already) which I could not even bring to the nearby slum area for others to use. These includes expensive office coats , office shoes and bags. I do not have time for a garage sale. Can I just bring it somewhere for them to include it in their garage sale? Would appreciate any advise on this one.