Saturday, November 30, 2013

November 30th

It is the last day of the minimalist challenge.  And yes, I did indeed complete the purge.  Today I am tossing a laundry basket full of orphans socks.   I’ve had these for years thinking the matches would show up. Sometimes they do.  Our cats love to hide socks around the house so occasionally we move furniture and find some matches.  I get inordinately excited when that happens.  But I decided it was time to let them go.  So some for Martha’s rag bin and the rest are out in the garbage.  And I get my laundry basket back.


This month I tossed, donated, or recycled  flower vases, old computer software,  pathetically frayed underwear, owner’s manuals for appliances long since dead, a lot of clothes I can’t wear flat-chested, numerous books to the library book exchange (without taking any new ones home), old flower and vegetable seeds, unused and broken tools, a slew of VHS tapes, a collection of unrecognizable objects in the junk drawer, expired medicines,  eternally dull knives, disgustingly shredded cat and dog toys, dozens of dried up pens and markers, and a host of other strange and no longer needed items.   

I am definitely going to make this an annual event. And Martha never even noticed the difference.

Next . . . my office.

11 comments:

  1. I love when I find a long lost sock "matcher!" It's such a small gift and also makes me super happy.

    Purging can feel liberating - awesome!

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    1. Now that I tossed the single socks, I'm sure all the orphans will come out of hiding : )

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  2. I got as far as the socks and one filing cabinet drawer. No deadlines, continuing effort. Thank you. And congratulations.

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    1. Every journey begins with the first step. I still have so much more to do. It is a continuing challenge.

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  3. Love it! I've only been in my new place three months and I'm already grumpy about how much stuff there is to declutter. As a Constant Declutterer, I can say that the challenge never ends. Funny, just before reading this post I was walking around my house muttering to myself "too much stuff in here." LOL

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    1. We tend to grow into our space. I live with someone who unfortunately loves to fill up every available nook and cranny of our very small space. I will forever be surrounded by "too much stuff". *sigh*

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  4. Well done! This 30 day challenge seems ... challenging, frankly.

    I'm trying to clear as I move things in. Open a box, see what's in it, dump. Too much stuff. Especially if I'm going to move across the country.

    You're inspiring.

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    1. I loved when I lived alone and could control my environment. Now I feel as if I'm clearly snowballs in an avalanche.

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  5. Wouldn't it be great if we could do this with our minds? Clean out negative attitudes, unkind thoughts, judging others, self depreciation, and unwarranted fears. Now that would be a challenge!

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    1. That is a great thought and certainly a challenge worth trying. My problem is that even after I get rid of a negative thought, it seems to return all on its own. But I am going to try to be aware of not letting the negatives take root. Thanks.

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  6. I'm impressed! I'm not sure that I could ever do this or even that I would want to... far too sentimental. But, I see the point in some of the things you've listed: old pens, owner's manuals, junk drawer stuff, etc. I did actually purge the 'lost sox box' fairly recently though! And, yes, then the hidden ones all came out. Oh well.

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