You might be surprised how often my clients talk about their frustrations with owning too much “stuff.” They see the connection between their stressed out lives and their cluttered attics, basements and living space. Perhaps I am more conscious of this because my “antennae are up” during this particular Season of Purpose in my life.
My husband and I are middle-aged empty nesters. Maintaining a house with three guest rooms only makes financial sense to us if we open a Bed and Breakfast. This was once a “retirement dream” for Steve. Fortunately, for me, we aren’t zoned for that since I do not care to make muffins seven days a week. Add in the yard work, swimming pool maintenance, and the utility costs and this house does not make sense for two thrifty people anymore. Consequently, we embarked on the “downsizing plan” which gives us a head start on what those Realty folks call “staging” a house. Our focus is on painting (in two colors- Bland and Boring) and De-Cluttering.
In addition to three extra bedrooms with their dresser drawers, bookshelves and closets, this house has three walk-in closets in the basement, three large closets on the upper floor, an attic that runs the full length of the front of the house, a yard equipment room and a pool equipment room. Do you get the picture? This house is a “stuff” magnet. Just as carrying a too-large suitcase allows you to bring along too much stuff on an excursion, so does a too-large house allow a middle aged couple to acquire too much stuff. This is why some people can become successful Professional Organizers and a popular television series can focus on cleaning up clutter.
Like many people, we have accumulated an amazing quantity of useful and beautiful things, heirlooms and a lot stuff we do not use anymore. My rule of thumb has been “if you haven’t used it in over a year, you probably don’t need it.” This covers all the seasonal decorations, summer entertaining ware and the snowblower. But we still somehow never managed to throw out 20 years of National Geographic Magazines, hundreds of my father’s slides, and that outdated set of 1980 World Book Encyclopedias. In order to “travel light” in the future, we are donating, repurposing or recycling whenever possible. I refuse to “offload” onto my children without their consent. Thankfully, the women of our church had a Rummage Sale as even more incentive to Repurpose. We contributed several boxes of stuff. Then we left town before they put the price tags on anything! Donate – and stop shopping!
Now I am getting a head start on the packing-for-staging we must do to put this mansion on the market next year. The positive side benefit is that clearing this “stuff” out of my vision field is already giving my mind a rest and helping me feel more balanced. Would less stress and more balance be enough incentive for you? Perhaps you could donate or discard one box of stuff a week until you create a more acceptable living space.
If you have clutter-removal hint you would like to share, please post it!
How would your life improve with less stuff?
For vacation excursions and for daily life, I am making an effort to travel light.
Tags: decluttering, life coaching, Seasons of Purpose, staging
October 11, 2011 at 2:39 pm |
Rummage Sale is a great stuff management tool; I’ too, am reviewing things carefully packed in boxes in the garage. Replacements.com may purchase china, and our Food Bank has a clothing and household goods section. The Friends of the Library accept books – probably my greatest addiction next to yarn.