I Think I Like Where I Am, Now.

[jmfargo]

I'm working rather diligently on keeping the house clean now, since I started doing a "total house cleaning" project a while back. It started with the kitchen, and is slowly branching out to the other rooms of the house. Getting in the way of the other rooms, of course, is the process of keeping the first few rooms clean, but as I continue doing so, it gets easier. I guess this is why my Mom always said "If you clean it completely once, it'll stay clean with a lot less work." I would have believed her, if I had listened.

In my cleaning, I've given clothing that I don't wear any more away to Goodwill, cleared a shelf or two of books to trade in at the used book store, and generally gotten rid of things that I simply do not use or need any more. I think one of my biggest new goals is to clear my life of the clutter that's surrounded it. Part of this is the emotional clutter, but as the physical junk disappears, it's interesting how easy it is for the psychic mess to be cleaned too. It's like they're somehow linked.

Has anyone else ever experienced this? As I learn to let go of the physical things around me, like the books I don't read any more, or the clothing I only held on to because "I might fit in it again some day," my mind seems calmer, cleaner, and more willing to react to the now as opposed to reacting in response to something that happened ten years ago. It's not perfect, of course, but it seems to help.

Before some of you gasp in horror that I'm getting rid of books, let my allay your fears slightly. No, I haven't completely changed or gone psycho. These books I'm bringing in are ones I held on to even though the last time I read them was years gone by. Bringing them to the book store, I'll be able to trade them in and get roughly have the same amount of books back, probably slightly less. It's cleaning the clutter, and giving me something new to do without actually costing me anything, and saving some space.

This is a good thing, right? Does anyone out there have more hints and tips on cleaning out the dirty closet that is a messy life?

Comments

[cieo.livejournal.com]

I can imagine how it must feel, though I've never done anything like what you've described. I'm a packrat. When I clean, I do throw out lots of things, but it takes a lot out of me to throw away anything with--writing on it. Books, receipts...mostly cleaning=finding a box, neatly arranging things in them and labeling the box "miscellaneous."

[jfargo.livejournal.com]

I caught the packrat bug from my father. I can't remember a time in my life when our garage wasn't packed to the rafters (seriously, he put rafters in just so he would have somewhere to store stuff) with random junk that we never used. He's also the kind of guy that'll spend a few hundred dollars on three or four broken (item x)'s just to make one good (item x) when a brand new one costs much less, and will come with a guarantee!

What can I say, my dad's a true guy. And I learned things from him.

Maria's having a difficult time untraining me. :)

[alluralioncourt.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty much having to do the same thing you are. I'll be moving again in a few months and I don't really want to bring all the clutter with me. Book I could never get rid of because even if I haven't thought about reading them, someone might come over and find pleasure in them. So far I've just been going through and boxing up knickknacks I don't have room for so I can give to the Salvation Army.

Today I did pretty good because I got 5 boxes packed up of picture frames I never used or my old toys I was hanging onto for sentimental reasons. It's strange, I'm 23 and still can't part with a collection of stuffed animals that would be a child's wet dream. I keep them piled up ontop of my armoire so at least they aren't in the way

[jfargo.livejournal.com]

Sorry I missed this so long ago. Good luck with your move, I hope it goes really well! I know how hard moving is, especially when you just have a lot of ~stuff~. Personally I tend to hold on to old toys and picture frames, and just try to get rid of the impersonal stuff, like the old black shelf system that I never use, or the hundreds of binders I don't need. It's easier, emotionally, that way.

[periannth.livejournal.com]

I have a hard time getting rid of stuff, so I usually have to go through stuff several times over a period of months, getting rid of a little more each time. Helps to ease the shock of suddenly not having as much stuff everywhere. ;)

[jfargo.livejournal.com]

I think if you saw my bookshelves right now, and compared them to when you saw them the first time, it would be quite a shock. If I condensed them all down so that they were packed tight onto the shelves I would probably have three or four shelves completely empty of books. From 11 packed shelves, with overflow stacked underneath, to seven or eight loosley packed shelves.

Crazy, huh? Thankfully, I was able to go through and get rid of books that were seriously not worth keeping - either because they were nothing like the style of books I enjoy or because they weren't in good shape. I won't throw them out, no matter how bad of shape their in, but I know a used book store that just gobbles them up like their little fish pellets.

I think what I want to do eventually is had a library based on science fiction and fantasy books, and then a few shelves somewhere else dedicated to the few other books I read. It's almost sad that that's all I read now, but hey, I know what I enjoy. :)

[periannth.livejournal.com]

I think I might fall over in shock... ;)

That would be very awesome. I know how you feel, and the way I look at it, if you're gonna spend the money on it and make the time to read it, you might as well make sure you're gonna like it! :)