I don't mean to put a damper on your day but........

Ruth n Jersey

Ruth n Jersey

Well-known Member
Location
Northern New Jersey
I am slowly purging my house. Already have given 10 boxes to the good will. This actually makes me feel good. Last night while watching TV with the hubby I grabbed 2 large boxes to go through. All of it crafts, instructions on making wreaths,dried flowers, candle making, holiday items and anything else that has struck my fancy for the past 40 years. I went through them one by one and coming to the realization that I will never ever do these things made me feel like the grim reaper is right around the corner. I don't decorate the house the way I use to, just a few favorite items around for each season. Some sentimental items as well,so even if I did do a project or two. Do I really want that standing around and having to store it away? Not really. Most of the time we visit the kids on the holidays. Not home anyway. My daughter doesn't want the stuff. Another box contained all my cake making items. I use to make elaborate cakes for holidays and birthdays. Many tips for piping icing etc. For awhile I made wedding cakes that I sold. Today the kids order an overly priced Dairy Queen or Carvel cake and that's that. So that box was packed up as well. Just made me feel a bit down. Packing up excess dishes, clothes that don't fit, and other household items didn't bother me. But getting rid of this more personal stuff did. It brought back some nice memories of the cakes I made for the kids, A train for my son,a doll cake for my daughter but there was a sadness to it also.
 

Hang in there kid, I know it's a tough and very personal job!

I have been doing the same thing. I sort and pack until it begins to hurt, then I take a break for a few weeks and go back to it.

The most difficult thing for me is that I don't know a single soul that would like any of the things that I have to offer, so off they go to the thrift shop!

I can honestly say that I have not missed a thing and my little apartment is much easier to clean.
 
I've done that years ago. But I didn't pick through any of the boxes. Stuff had been boxed up for 7 to 10 years. I didn't open one box. Just loaded them up and took them to GoodWill. Like I told my husband, I haven't been in any of those boxes, don't remember what was in them, so I won't miss anything. And, I haven't.
 

Ruth believe me minimal is more. You will be so glad you did it. I am staying minimal as I can. I don't want my kids to have to deal with tons of clutter in my house when I drop dead. I'd like to make it as easy on them as I can. I remember helping my friend after her mother died and her mom's house was STUFFED with junk and it took us days. My friend was already grieving for her mom & that just made it much worse having to do all that.
 
I think it's actually easier to downsize when you're dealing with your own possessions. I have a tough time letting go of my mom's things she collected over the years. I remember how much they meant to her. I feel like I am betraying her memory by trying to sell her house contents. My own things...pfffft.
 
I've been working on it for years, little at a time. I agree it is harder to part with things that have been passed down. When you visit thrift shops, you will find a lot of these types of items. Younger folks are not "into" knick-knacks and things belonging to relatives past. I'm at the point now where I must make some tough choices. The harder choices are things for sure no one would want--I have my mother's sewing machine, the one she used to use for years when we were growing up. Have four of her coats which I remember her wearing for so many years and one home made coat that was my mother-in-laws. Three patchwork quilts that are about a hundred years old--no one will want these things. So I have to decide about these things. (Sigh). I am not a hoarder or saver--lot of stuff I have no problem getting rid of, but personal items belonging to mother's and grandparents is where I find difficulty too.
 
Thanks so much for your support and personal stories. I really am doing this for my kids. We have a large house, I love the area and hope that I will be able to live out my days here. If the hubby goes before me I'm not sure I will be financially able to live here and i'm not sure if my son will want to take over the upkeep of the place. Getting rid of things now will help should I have to move, which is another reason to do this . Carla and Debodun I totally can relate with having a tough time getting rid of your Mom's things. Luckily when my Mom moved in with us I was able to combine the things she held most dear with mine. She loved Roseville and collected vases. I never really cared for them but displayed them in my wall unit. I feel good that I let her enjoy her things in my home to. I have decided to hold on to the smaller precious items. I have the last birthday card she gave me with a little handwritten note telling me how much she loved me and thanked me for all I had done for her. She had cancer then and I suppose she new she didn't have much time left. Two months later she passed on. Those are the things I will keep. I wish you all good health and happiness in the years to come.
 
I gave a huge box of goodies to a friend yesterday ,who helps out in a opp shop it's good to get rid of clothes ,books ,other bits that are just cluttering cupboards :clap:
 
One of my older sisters referred to it as hoeing out. Now I am thinking of starting to hoe out starting with old slectronic stuff...
 
It's all just stuff. If it is useful stuff, keep it. If it evokes a strong memory, keep it. Otherwise, it goes.
 

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