Movers and Shakers
From the time of childhood to an adult, the world is full of warnings of dangers you need to steer clear of: be good or Santa won’t give you a present; don’t let black cats cross your path or you’ll have bad luck; don’t eat too many sweets or you’ll get diabetes. Yet, never once did I get the heads up about “stuff.”
All of your life you accumulate favorite items that you surround yourself with and enjoy. (I figure I have a good 40 years under my belt, easily.) Then comes the dreaded moving day when you have to dismantle your life. Suddenly you are confronted with “stuff.”
After two hours of packing and carrying boxes down the stairs, I quickly realized the error of my ways. Having over 30 pairs of blue jeans and three closets full of clothes added to my misery. (Denim is my downfall.) After four hours, what I had once considered prized possessions I found I had developed an intense dislike for.
At the end of the day, I viewed that storage shed full of my belongings, and I would have preferred to throw a bomb inside and destroy it all. I told Gay, “It’s pretty sad when you look and all you can think is 75 percent of this will go to the next rummage sale.” My so-called precious items were now a burden.
Now I notice all these handy de-clutter tips in magazines. One said you should pick up each item in your house and if it doesn’t feel “magical,” get rid of it. Esther’s hint—if you buy an item of clothing, you must remove one. Georgia says you should know where to find anything in your house if someone asks for it.
Now I understand the signs that say “Simplify.” I can live with just a coffee pot, a wineglass, some clothes and the love of family and friends.
Tuning in to “Hoarders,”
– Dee Baby