Signs of Progress

Friends, I am on a serious mission to clear stuff out of this house. Since last summer, I have felt the heavy burden of too much STUFF and have been going through a slow and tedious process of sorting and making decisions about what to keep and what to let go.

For the past several months, my basement has looked like this:

I cannot overemphasize how completely NUTS it makes me to have a mess like this in my house. This is all stuff I brought here from my childhood home before our estate sale. Stuff that held emotional baggage of one sort or another. Stuff that has been very, very hard to even see.

But as time has passed and my wounds have started to heal, I've been able to look at all of this stuff with a much more objective eye. (It also helps to have my daughter home to give me feedback about what she would eventually like to keep.) I never intended to keep all the stuff I brought home...I just couldn't bear to let it all go back in September. 

And of course, I'm still not letting it all go. But as you can see in the photo below, I have finally made some progress! For the first time in a very long time, I can see most of the carpet! Much, much sorting remains, but I have now consolidated my boxes with similar items which should make the process much easier. I have hauled load after load to our local hospice thrift store, which always makes me feel good.

As part of this process, I had to make space in the basement for my mom's four large dollhouses. While I don't have permanent tables or spots for them YET, at least I have them out of the direct light and in a place where they can be enjoyed.

 We will take the Christmas house upstairs next holiday season. For now, it is safely tucked out of the sunlight, which will rapidly fade paint and wallpaper.

 In addition to the basement stuff, I've been going through closets, drawers, and every nook and cranny in the house, skimming off what we don't need and taking it to donate. I consolidated all of our arts and crafts supplies (crayons, glitter, beads, etc.) onto one shelving unit in the basement storage area. It doesn't look perfect, but everything is in one place and labeled. And it's working: Bailey has been able to easily "shop at home" for all the craft supplies she needs for camp!

In addition to donating lots of things, I've also signed up to be a vendor at a local antique store. I will be setting up my case this coming weekend. I only have five shelves so it won't take much to fill it. I think this will be a perfect way to offload a few treasures...including the 200 cans in Spouse's beer can collection. YIKES!

  

It has been motivating to me knowing that I need to fill a vendor case. That in itself has helped me make progress.

In addition to researching and pricing beer cans, I've been marking a few other treasures, too. I'll be selling a lot of vintage candy boxes and many other treasures. Don't worry...I'm keeping plenty. :)

I still have miles and miles to go, but at least I have a plan and a direction now: A SIMPLIFIED LIFE. Watch for an update on my booth! :)

 jp