Friday, March 7, 2008

Next Project: Uncluttering!

I am addicted to stuff. I admit it. I cannot get rid of things. I keep things because a) I think maybe someday I will use them b) they were a gift and I feel guilty and maybe I should try to use them c) I know I won't use them again, but I can't throw them away because they might be worth something! or the classic: d) they have been in this box for so long that I forgot I had them, but now that I remember that I do I don't want to get rid of them!
But if all goes according to plan, we will be downsizing from our townhouse to a Center City 1 bedroom, which means we'll lose about 1000 sq. ft. of space. I deeply desire to keep the space we do have clutter free. I don't want all this stuff holding me back anymore. In other words, I must downsize!
So this weekend I will start my journey. I have started researching on blogs and other internet means to get ideas, but I will not buy any books! No more stuff, even if it is stuff that helps me reduce my stuff!
I've drawn some inspiration from this post on unclutterer.com. I think it's easy for me to feel that I am not moving very far in distance, so therefore I have more leeway with what I can bring. This is not true! With the exception of furniture, I should pretend that I am moving overseas and approach my project accordingly. I need to ask myself the tough questions, like “Is it absolutely essential that I put this item into storage or should I give it away?” and “Does this item represent who I am today or is it who I was yesterday?” and for me especially "Does the person who gave me this as a gift even remember that they gave it to me? If not, why am I keeping it??"
I know some people are very good at keeping things simple when it comes to their possessions. I am just not, so this task is feeling very daunting for me. Wish me luck in my quest!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Tinydancer. This unclutter thing sounds like a brilliant idea. I believe whole-heartedly you should begin immediately. Please keep me posted on your progess. If you get lost in a huge clutter pile, please call my cell phone and I will call 9-1-1 to have you rescued. I'd help you myself but I'm sure they'll need special fire department equipment.

tinydancer said...

Thank you Hubby for your support. It means the world to me. :P

JulyDream said...

Would you like to do my room next?? I have no idea what I'm going to take across the country with me, starting with question 1, take the nice big screen plasma or leave it? I don't want to use a Uhaul.

Mo Zhou said...

totally recommend to get a storage space. We have like 8 boxes of just things that we want to keep but we never use. We rent a storage space close to our apartment. It's great. Save space and cheap, and you don't have to see all the junk. (of course, you can see them when you want to :P)