Too much stuff

[Deaconess]

Lately, I have been in the mood to purge things around the house

(probably because I have been singing the song below to myself for

months while I worked outside).   It seems like life is so much simpler

when I let go of things that hold some kind of superficial meaning, but

somehow are always in need of being dusted.   Notice I said "in

of being dusted," not to be confused with the actual act of dusting.  LOL

As time progresses, I hope to find myself being less and less burdened

by the things of this world.    I kind of feel like the stuff I get rid of is

stuff that I won't have to "pack" for heaven.   I know, I know, I'm just

kidding about taking anything to heaven but our loved ones and our

character, but maybe leaving some things behind may lighten the yoke.   

Link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBmkR8WARdM

 

[Liz]

That is a nice song, I had never heard it, thanks for sharing. As for the purging, I used to subscribe to the Flylady, and she was constantly encouraging us to do a "15 fling boogie" where you throw away 15 things at a time. It really does help my spirit when the clutter is gone.

[Deaconess]

I used to read some of her articles and subscribed to her e-mails.    The problem became 

that she cluttered my inbox!  

[Outta Here]

Lol!! I use the Flylady system on a daily basis. It's helped tremendously!  Peter Walsh has a 30 day declutter challenge every year. I use that one too. I think you can find this year's challenge on YouTube still.

[JoeMo]

My wife and I are recent empty nesters; and are at least talking about decluttering.  After 20 years in the same house with up to 5 kids living with us, it's just talk at this point.  so many things with zero practical or monetary value, but so much sentimental value ...

But I would LOVE to get rid of boxes of stuff that we haven't even opened in 20 years.  But there is SOOO much stuff!!

[Jessie-Jess]

It will. The less you have to leave behind when the Lord calls you to leave it all behind, the easier it will be to leave everything behind and go where He is calling. 

[Gail]

I so need to do this...

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

I wish my ancestors had left more "stuff"... but, then, I kinda like a bit of clutter..

[Jessie-Jess]

I'm traveling light. I even got some new stuff to replace some old stuff, and got bins to store the stuff in and a backpack to carry some of the stuff. Even then, I think I could go lighter, but I believe the Lord is merciful and I have been praying about it, and it seems His answer is for me to keep the stuff that I've narrowed down to (although I plan to throw away a few more things and give away a few more). Some things I've given away, and many things I've thrown away. I realized that I don't have anything I can't afford to part with, because I know God provides, but it seems His will for now is for me to keep what I've got left. It really is a burden off of my shoulders to have less stuff. I worry less about my stuff, having less stuff. However, I see where we need a balance, too (I'm still learning about balance, I believe), in knowing what we can do without, having faith in God to provide for us if we throw something out we think we should throw out, even if we may have a need in the future, and also keeping things that we can keep that we will actually need or will be beneficial in some ways. For example> I don't need those old nature photographs that I took, except for a physical example of my media work (my portfolio), but I have digital copies of some, and these physical copies of the photo can be used to bless someone else, so I don't throw them away, but hold onto them to pass on to someone.

[Ellen]

I don't know who the FlyLady is, but I did get a piece of advice that has stood me in good stead.  I, too, have 5 kids and the things they lovingly gave me can't be pieces of junk, for the time being.

The advice is, put things you are calling clutter in a box in the basement.  If you haven't missed them for a year put them out in the garage.  If they haven't been thought of they go in the garbage.  Of course I believe in recycling so that would be the alternative.

 

 

[Gerr]

I am wrestling with this issue of too much stuff right now.  How does one downsize now that the spouse is gone?  What to do with all her stuff?

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

I am wrestling with this issue of too much stuff right now.  How does one downsize now that the spouse is gone?  What to do with all her stuff?

Gerry, before you get rid of anything belonging to your wife, be sure and ask your children if they'd like to have anything.  When my father died, my mom started donating his things without letting me know (which was her right).  But I was heartbroken, because there had been a number of items I would have loved to have had... 

[Gail]

When my mom died, he had me go through her stuff for that reason. That plus the fact that he couldn't bear to do it himself.

[B/W Photodude]

My suggestion is do nothing right away. At some time you will wish to downsize, but you may do it better when a little time has passed.

[Gerr]

Gerry, before you get rid of anything belonging to your wife, be sure and ask your children if they'd like to have anything.  When my father died, my mom started donating his things without letting me know (which was her right).  But I was heartbroken, because there had been a number of items I would have loved to have had... 

Thanks, I've already asked my son and daughter-in-law to come and look over her things and keep what they want, or what the two grandchildren may want now or for later.

[Deaconess]

Gerry, please take your time and don't rush it.   Your heart will tell you when the time

is right.   

 

The other option is to take a picture of something so you won't forget it, but donate 

the actual item.    You can keep the memory that way, without keeping the item.  

[phkrause]

My Mom had a hard time parting with my Dad's things after he died, but eventually she donated stuff to Goodwill, and other places like that.

[Naomi]

There are two schools of thought on the appropriate time to deal with the issue of deceased spouses personal items. Within  a couple of days of my fathers death my brother and I  removed the personal items that we wanted (with mother's permission).  Then we  asked the grand kids what  they wanted. 

The remainder we donated or otherwise disposed of.  Then we completely remodeled the room in which he spent most of his time ... actually we did a great deal of decorating to most of the house.

Even though she agreed in the beginning, soon mother became very upset with the projects.  However, when everything was finished and had a fresh, de-cluttered,  modern look mother was so proud.  Her friends told us that she couldn't wait for them to see the house and grounds. 

As I said, everyone reacts differently, but in mother's case it worked best to do it and get it over with.