I’m not on top of my blogging game this week because we’re VBS-ing. I’m teaching third grade, and they are such a sweet group of kids. I’m singing, attempting to dance, and basically loving teaching the gospel.
Also, when I was sitting in church on Sunday I realized that I am completely overwhelmed by my life. There are five people in our family, and all five of us have way too much stuff. So, I decided I wanted to get rid of half of everything we own. I have been cleaning out and purging our stuff for two days, and today I took my first load to Goodwill, where I filled three of their huge rolling containers with some of the junk that is cluttering my life and therefore my mind.
Do you ever just stop and look in a cabinet or a drawer and wonder why in the world you ever thought you needed all the crud in there? It’s amazing what we accumulate over time. I’m looking at our entire house with a critical eye, happily filling trash bag after trash bag with the stuff that we don’t use or need. There’s a lot of it.
It’s freeing! You should try it.
We’re trying some things like getting rid of excess towels. All these extra cups. A bunch of kid-themed plates. Extra sheet sets. Does this sound crazy? These things are crowding my life! Why does any family really need ten extra blankets? Answer: It doesn’t.
This week I have almost felt a little bit like Brittney Spears during her head-shaving meltdown. I kind of get where she was coming from–some days you just wake up and decide some things have to go! Then before you know it, you’ve filled three Goodwill bins with your precious junk. And, it feels amazing.
In fact, I’m already looking forward to throwing more stuff away tomorrow! I’ll let you know how it goes. Send me your junk-purging and organizational tips!
Oh boy I hear you. I have been purging our garage for the last week. The garage has become our dumping ground and not a place for cars. I found a bunch of kites laying around so I hung them in the garage, it looks attractive. I also, gave away a bunch of stuff but still have more to do. Next stop the basement. It is a good feeling to simplify. I did that in the kitchen last year.
This is my favorite blog post ever! I’ve watched this in myself and so many others. Can I step out and ask if anyone else thinks that cheap goods and mega stores have made it possible? Keep on purging. You inspire me! Also, do you know about Ruth Soukup? You might like her stuff. (So sorry I didn’t get to meet you in person at Bettye’s soirée.)
Good for you Melissa!
To me, it’s all about perspective. Some people need “stuff” around them to feel secure. As you know, our only security is in the Lord. The stuff we leave behind, when we go to meet with Him, is just a pain for the people we have left behind who need to deal with it. Give them a break by showing them that you know what really matters. It’s not “stuff”.
A lot of the women in my church have totally jumped on the Marie Kondo bandwagon and are aggressively paring down their stuff. I just joined my local library and they have a book recycling program, so i think I’ll start there!