Nothing like a bit of organisation
If there is not a disaster imminent, perhaps reorganizing the deckchairs can be a help.
Chaos control 2018
After nearly 50 years of marriage, and about 28 years of living in the same house - a house with space, ... and more space since the 'grannies' vacated the annex - we have accumulated just too much STUFF. As well as trying to sort myself out work-wise this year, downsizing possessions is also a major objective. Ironically, however, a thoughtful, measured approach to sorting seems to create more chaos than there was at the beginning.
So it is a pleasure, and a relief when even the smallest progress is made. Today I found a tidy home for my threads,
winnowed the baskets which previously held those threads, and also wrote this post and a related one on my work blog, ... now I just have to sort out and deal with the previous contents of the drawers.
As you say, despite all the chaos being created, it's a real pleasure and delight once progress has been made. I am going through the same process, Olga. I have been quite ruthless in my approach, and people in the charity shops love me. There have been some regrets however, as in my drive to clear as much as possible, I have found that I got rid of things that with hindsight, I wish I had kept. Never mind though, it's such a delight to have some order and less stuff.
ReplyDeleteIt's the question of regret which takes up so much time, Eirene. Luckily I am becoming increasingly less sentimental as I go, and the important thing is to find an appropriate home for each object. Like you, I am a frequent visitor to charity shops!
Delete"Ironically, however, a thoughtful, measured approach to sorting seems to create more chaos than there was at the beginning." Nice to know I'm not the only one that has experienced this. ;-)
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, the tug of sentimental ties to things that are just things. There's very little in my house that I can't dredge up a sentimental thought about and thus a reason to keep. And if not that, the but-I-might-need-just-this-at-a-later-date hesitation. I've found it helpful for the on the fence things, things I know in my head I should let go of but in my heart am not sure I'm ready, to sit in the garage for awhile. I still see those bags and piles nearly every day but somehow over time they lose their appeal, I somehow get used to the idea they are not really needed on any level, maybe because they are no longer in the house proper. And then one day, I find I am almost irritated at them still being there, taking up space, having to be worked around, and it is much easier then to load them in the car for the charity shop or straight into the dumpster, depending. I think we all must find a little trick that works for us to ease the winnowing and separation from the things we've grown accustomed to, or reacquaint ourselves with as we attempt reorganization. Then as you mention, there are things that are dear enough that while we may be ready to part with them, we hope to find someone who will find them dear too. All things we should be thinking about and doing something about as we get older.
Good luck - it is indeed a freeing thing when we make progress.
Sheila I agree with everything you say here. So far I have thought us lucky to have the space simply to hang on to everything. We even had space to house or store stuff for parents when they downsized. We do not however have children, and even so, my nephews are not in the slightest interested even in what might be described as heirlooms.
DeleteSo - the slow process of gradually disposing, as you describe, has now to accelerate. I am finding cleaning more physically difficult, so clutter becomes more frustrating. I want a place for everything important, and everything in its place.
That's something to aim for, at least!
I've moved often, each time purging and still have more than I should! My current place is challenging, not the same sort of closet and storage and display space I'm used to so it is making me think hard about things. I did become the keeper of the family heirlooms too and one of my brothers once said how ironic that was since I have no children to pass these things down to. At the time, I took offense, but now it almost panics me, not that there's any guarantee that your children will have the least desire to take on the load and appreciate it. Still, at least they would have grown up with it, have a better understanding of it than say, nieces and nephews who one seldom sees. I do think I have one or two though who would be willing and even eager to take on at least some of the family paraphernalia. Will they feel the same about all my hand-made art? ;-)
DeleteAh, yes, well I have no illusions about my stuff. At least textiles are largely biodegradable!
DeleteWhen I have a clear-out, I always begin with great enthusiasm and my eye firmly on the task. The trouble is that this doesn't last and as time goes on, I become distracted by unexpected finds that come with their associated memories. As I process these, things slow down and decisions don't get made. Maybe this is a subconscious way of avoiding the whole thing. It certainly reduces the regret after the bags are left in the charity shop.
ReplyDeletePersonally anyway, I don't yet feel ready to be too ruthless, though I probably should be. One of those zero birthdays came and went recently (this one seemed more depressing than any other) and I know that, when the next one comes along, it will all be much, much harder. Meanwhile, I just get on and live the life I want to live now ... so I guess I'm just avoiding the issue.
Incidently, I love that bright red Habitat filing cabinet - such an appropriate way to store all that colour and texture.
Margaret, I also want to enjoy life - a simpler life, and I think will feel much relief when I dispose of all extraneous matter. I must also admit to loving organisation, hence my possession of delightful filing cabinets like the red one - of which I too am very fond. That is definitely not for the scrapheap!
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