I donated my wedding dress today. I piled it in with a half a van full of other items that I wanted out of the house. I expected to feel remorse or a twinge of regret…instead, I felt lighter.
Seeing the sun again after sixteen years in storage
Clutter Creep
I’ve decluttered in the past sporadically. This year my goal is to consistently purge items from the household that are no longer used or loved. As a family we lead a fairly simple and frugal lifestyle. I am not a shopaholic or hoarder. Nor am I a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO). I am a wife and mother of sons with a part time job who has let clutter creep in. The generosity of family members passing down clothing and toys for my youngest son, school papers and projects, magazines and books left unedited have resulted in the slow accumulation of “things.”
Clutter = Delayed Decisions
I have read several times that “clutter is a sign of delayed decisions” or something to that effect. That statement rings so true to me. How many times have I passed piles of items in a corner that I placed there momentarily, only to become blind to them in a matter of days? I do not want to delay decisions any longer.
Seeking Other Beginners
I have been inspired the past few months with other blogs and podcasts on minimalism and simplicity. As I’ve combed through the minimalist and simplifying blogs, I’ve had the desire to see the process worked out. I wanted to see the before and after photos of these seekers of simplicity. Many are writing after the process, or years later as they continue their journey. They are now at a stage of helping others on the journey. I’m grateful for their encouragement but also wish there were others at my stage of the journey.
The Plan and The Invitation
I plan to blog at least once a week with photos of the current areas of my home that I’m working on. It won’t be pretty or Pinterest worthy because this journey is a work in progress. If you too would find encouragement in a partner to be more intentional about clearing clutter, please join me. Together we can take the baby steps necessary to first clear our homes and open ourselves up for the “more” that we desire.
Before the donation drop
After the donation drop off
aaah, the clean clear feeling of space! We don’t even realize we want it, until we have it! I gave my wedding dress to my nephew to make costumes out of for his drama group. Poor thing had been crumbled in a heap, dirty hem and all, in a cedar chest for 29 years!! Enough, already!! And I got rid of the cedar chest too, when I emptied it!
Good for you Melinda! I think it would’ve been nice to give it to someone I knew – even if they were taking it apart. But I didn’t want to hold onto it until someone could be found.
Thanks, Angela! Exactly- let it go! I think I’ve heard that somewhere…. lol
“Clutter = delayed decisions” Wow, love that, it’s true! I’ve gone to put something away in a closet and thought, ugh, this needs organizing, but, I just add that thing to it and walk away because I don’t have time to deal with it! Thanks for posting and for linking up with From the Archives Friday!
I am so guilty of that as well Chellie – hence my need to blog and keep myself accountable! ?
Good for you! I read a post about a 33 piece wardrobe, and how the blogger chose only 33 pieces, including jewelry, for a seasonal wardrobe. I didn’t cull to 33 pieces but we did clean our closets and donated hundreds of pieces we were hanging on to, for one reason or another. I had pieces i had never worn that had taken up space in my closet for 15 years. I felt the same as you, lighter. There are more things that need to be culled, perhaps in the spring. Then, perhaps I will feel lighter again too.
Good for you Nikki! We went through our wardrobe as well and significantly reduced the amount of clothes we have. We should probably do some selective replacing of some items, but we’re not in a hurry.
“Clutter is a sign of delayed decisions”
Ah so true! I have boxes of clutter that just won’t shift – not because I love what’s in them, but because every time I get to them I think “I can’t be bothered to deal with this right now, I’ll do it later…”. Later never comes.
It’s time to deal with some of these I think!
That sounds very familiar!