In many ways, my home is an extension of my brain. It's small, yet functional and charming. It contains some little treasures of my past, and every space is crammed with something. Their are a few family heirlooms, a lot of junk from the dollar store, decorative and useful items from internet purchases made at 2 a.m., gifts (some received and others yet to be given). I am thankful that I have the monetary means to accumulate so much stuff, but I have realized that most of it is simply taking up space.
About six months ago, I changed jobs. I was working in the middle of a shopping mecca! Everyday I spent my lunch hour combing through the clearance aisles of my favorite shops. If you spend five hours a week "window shopping", it's only a matter of time before you start carting home "great deals" and items "too good to pass by." And, believe me-not much got past me. I LOVE a good deal! The good news is my new position is in an area that is more remote. I traded a lunch hour for a lunch half-hour. Not only am I making more money, I'm spending less. All this time I thought I was so frugal with my magnificent buys, but now I see that spending is spending.
With a growing bank account and a shopping habit laid to rest, I started looking around the house with a more critical eye. Then, I started see very clearly where I had gone wrong. I have a house crammed with uselessness. Buying stuff used to feel good, but my feel good moments of shopping were a thing of the past. (Honestly, I can't say that I miss it. As a matter of fact, once I park my car in the driveways on Friday I'm perfectly happy not venturing out into world to even get groceries!) Content at home I became curious about what may be lurking in the back of the closets, under the bed, in my desk. I realized that I have everything I really need right here at home. Unfortunately, I CAN'T FIND ANYTHING IN THIS MESS!
So, my new mission has begun. I am decluttering my life one room at a time. I am in the mood to pitch, donate, and give away. I have no plans of having a garage sale-that would mean storing this stuff until the weather breaks! I was excited to find out the local domestic violence shelter is in need of craft supplies for the kids. I have one laundry basket overflowing with scrapbooking supplies. I think once I get to the place where I actually store my craft supplies they will get 2 more laundry baskets full! My sister has two new pairs of jeans, which look fabulous on her. (They looked great on me 10 pounds ago.)
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