Too Much Stuff!!

May parents are seniors in their mid 70's. They moved to a small town 16 years ago and at that time purged their life of STUFF so they could reduce what they had to move. At the time of their last move, they were living in a duplex. When they moved into the duplex, they had owned a house. Each time they moved, they had to get rid of the STUFF that they accumulated. I read some where that people should move every 5 years just so they can clean out their house and declutter their space. Rarely, however, is that the case.

My parents have so much STUFF for their move back into the city that it is a scramble to figure out what they will do with it all. They are moving from a full house into a small one bedroom apartment. There is little room for the vast furniture and accessories that joyfully filled their space to create the home they enjoyed for the last 16 years. There are 5 children that can take some of the tools and furniture, as well as some of the kitchen dishes and utensils. The boys are taking some of the wood for their fire pits and trailers, but that is only a drop in the bucket. We have already held a yard sale and it was a productive day, but that put just a small dent in the amount of STUFF that my parent's needed to clear out.

Some things are being donated to charity or sold to antique stores. Some things are thrown away, which is the hardest things for my parents to do. Their thinking is that someone can use that or they paid good money for that. They want to sell it for what they paid for it without realizing that it is not of the same importance to someone else. I understand that the transition is hard for them and I am learning not to make a big deal out of some issues. Like when we were gettting ready for the yard sale and I looked at all of my dad's tools. I thought for sure he would be willing to part with the tools and accessories that were in packages. Boy was I mistaken! When I asked my dad what on this wall could we sell, he responded profoundly "Nothing!! I am not touching my tools until we have to be out of here. There might be something then needs fixing yet and I might need to use it!" I was shocked by the tone of his voice and the demeanor with which he passed along his message. I simply said "Ok then. The tools will stay."

I, unlike my parents, am not attached to my things. Yes, I love to live comfortably. A few months ago I bought a new table and chairs and a new BBQ. These are a few items that help to make my life enjoyable. After all, life is supposed to be enjoyable and fun. I agree that we all desire to have the things that we love in our life as they bring us joy, peace and calm. For example, the picture I hung on the wall that perfectly compliments the space. And the lamp I bought for the living room that adds ambiant lighting. I also bought a new shower curtain and new bath towels that added some much needed color to the blandness of the bathroom. All these things that we buy have a place and a purpose. I love shopping like most other women and that enjoyment from purchasing just the right item is part of the experience.

But when was the last time you looked around your house and realized that perhaps you have done too much shopping? Did you buy too many new pillows for the couch? Did you buy too many bath towels and now you have no room for them? As fall begins to accend upon us, like spring, it is a great time to clean your space and purge your environment of home. When you allow your space to become clean, you also allow your energetic space of your heart to have more room for peace and clarity. Fall is also a great time to move your furniture around and do a really deep clean to get rid of dirt that can hamper your breathing.

If you have clothes in your closet that no longer suit you, or you haven't worn in 12 months, then it is time to part with them. Donate them to Value Village or Diabetes Association, or take them to harbour house at the YWCA. Or get your friends together and put on a clothing exchange and that way all of you benefit by getting clothes that are new to you. If your kitchen or bath towels are old and falling apart, throw them away or give them to your man to use as rags in the garage. There is no happiness in using towels that can no longer do their job. When was the last time you went through your kids closets? The same rules of purging apply. Do a kids clothes swap with friends or through their school. Or donate them as well.

Guys, when was the last time you cleaned out your man cave? Or if there is no man cave, then when was the last time you cleaned out your garage? The garage seems to hold everything under the sun except the car for most people. If there is no room in the house, then it goes into the garage. And when everything goes into your garage, and you go into the very full and cluttered garage, how do you feel? Again, clean out your space and you will feel better, feel lighter, and have more energy in your heart. So, while the weather is still nice and the sun is still warm, take time, maybe this weekend, open up your windows, turn on the music, and declutter your space. You will be very happy with the results. You may even find the snow melt that was hiding under the pile of....how did that get there?? Happy cleaning!