Just Hanging On

Today I threw away a pair of flip flops that I just loved.  They were a gift from a beloved family, comfortable, stylish...and 11 years old.  As pieces of rubbery plastic began to detach, I just cut off the strips to make them last longer.  Now parts are just hanging on, so it's time to part with them.

Why do we hang onto items that are easily and inexpensively replaced?  Probably because we think we can't find anything we like as well.   Look around today and evaluate some of the things you're hanging onto that aren't usable anymore.  There may be a memory behind an item, but if it's aged
beyond use, please get rid of it.  Also, avoid the danger of replacing a worn item and then KEEPING the old one.  It might be wise to toss the old, then look for the replacement.

"Someone" Might Need It

I took a deep breath and climbed the ladder to our attic.  My plan was to make the stored goods  accessible and get rid of some clutter.  It might not be the best plan, but sometimes I stash my I'm-not-sure-I-am-ready-to-part-with-it items up there in the rafters.  After months of such things not being underfoot, often I am ready to donate something.

A mindset that causes us to cling to clutter is noble:  someone might need it.  By someone, we usually mean family members or close acquaintances.   So we hang on to many unneeded items, just in case.  For me, I realized I'd been holding onto two cork bulletin boards which used to hang in my children's rooms to keep their drawings, letters from grandma, and photo booth pictures up and organized.  Both children have been out of our home for one and three years, not including college.  In all that time, I haven't heard of anyone who wants or needs a bulletin board complete with football helmet push pins!

By donating to an organization like Goodwill, someone who needs a bulletin board will find it.  You can rest easy knowing your donated goods are helping someone and putting others to work.  Try to let go of a non-heirloom item you've been saving for an unknown someone today.

Winter Clothing

Spring has sprung in my state.  It took awhile, but now the warmth is consistent, and the flowers are blooming.  I really felt it Friday when I changed into a sweater and jeans after work before the realization hit that the temperature was 80 degrees.  Regretting the heavier clothing, I concluded it was time to bring out the spring/summer clothes.

As you swap out your clothing for the next season, use a critical eye to weed out pieces you didn't wear all winter.  Most likely, you can donate them.  Avoid storing unwanted pants, skirts, shirts, shoes, or coats until next year, letting them take up space.

I put two sweaters into the bin for Goodwill today.

Food Waste

I am very against wasting food.  However, this trite little ditty has stayed with me as I wrestle with throwing away extras:

It will go to waste, or it will go to my waist.

Looking through my pantry, I found a sugar cookie mix in an oven mitt, given to me as a gift for Christmas.  I'm trying to not eat as much sugar (most of the time.)  Why am I keeping this when it goes against what I want for my health?  I threw out the mix and will donate the mitt.

If a boxed mix has been in your cabinet or pantry for a LONG time, maybe it's time to get rid of it.  It truly is a struggle for some of us who see world hunger, but that box of cheese ball flavoring isn't going to help anyone else be better fed.  A superior plan is to buy cans or boxes of food and donate immediately to the group collecting food outside the grocery store or give money directly to your  church food pantry or community food bank.

Look for items you can donate or just throw out to declutter your pantry today.

Easter

As you are out and about this weekend, avoid the secular Easter tchotchke filling the check out aisles, the entire front section of Wal-Mart, and drug stores.  A friend of mine told me she buys sunglasses, a new swimsuit, and a little candy for her kids' baskets.  I thought that was a great idea, better than the little items that might be played with for a day and then tossed into a closet, possibly broken.  Always remember that keeping clutter from entering your home also helps you win the quest for a more simple, organized lifestyle.

Easter is such an important spiritual celebration and one that doesn't need a lot of "stuff."  Have a blessed Easter weekend as we remember how much God did for us by sending Jesus, the way, the truth, and the life!

Quilts

My friends and I went to Lancaster, PA, and visited one of the Amish-made quilt shops.  These were VERY expensive, hand sewn and hand-quilted masterpieces, thus the white gloves you were required to wear when browsing.  People pay good money for one of these.  I'm guessing a homemade Amish quilt gets listed in people's last wills and testaments.

I used to make quilts with a friend.  A couple bring back sentimental feelings to me.  BUT…one has been ripped for awhile, and the other faded and isn't used.  Do I keep them?  What about the person who inherits an Amish-made quilt and has modern decor?  Must we store them forever?  I think not.  If it's a family piece, find another family member who would cherish it.  Other options for me are to make one into placemats that could be used more often, or give it to the homeless shelter so it will provide warmth and maybe some joy to another.

How Time Flies

Today I realized the age of an appliance we were given as a wedding gift.  It's a homemade ice-cream maker in my favorite color, pink.  We've used it many times through the 25+ years.  The last couple of times I tried to make ice-cream, it didn't work so well, so I've avoided trying for maybe..two years.

When we look at our possessions, sometimes we forget how much time has passed.  Is there a more efficient model now?  Does this even work?  Do I fit into it anymore?  Is it even in style?  Time truly seems to pass more quickly with each year.  In order to declutter, sometimes we need to examine "stuff" with more than a casual glance or "Oh, there's the ice-cream maker."

Today I'm getting rid of the ice-cream maker, mostly since it doesn't work well anymore.  Ask yourself pointed questions about your stuff today.  It may help you let go.