Ask:
Do you ever read something that makes you want to free yourself from all the possessions (clutter) and seriously downsize?
I read something recently that has put me in one of those moods! If we weren't tied to this mortgage for another 2 years (ARM, plus we have to stay until dh's job requires us to move...kinda hard to explain here.) I would love to sell this house (3800 sq. ft) and see how small of a house we could live in. I'm just sick of all the STUFF (and cleaning.)
There was a famous actor (Nicholas Cage perhaps?) who had an incredible comic book collection which he loved. He sold it, and when asked about it he said something to the effect that he felt he didn't own the collection any longer - it owned him.
I feel that way about most of our stuff! And dh is a slave to this yard and pool... it's ridiculous. Others in our neighborhood don't feel the same b/c they hire yard maintenance crews, pool guys and housekeepers. This house is just too much for us doing it all by ourselves. We are slaves to it. We don't own it - it owns us!
Answer:
he felt he didn't own the collection any longer - it owned him.
This is a MAJOR reason I started with the simplifying/decluttering process in our home. I felt like our possessions owned us.. When you own something, you command it. Instead, the junk was commanding us. Since I've started the process, I've felt more free and unbound than I ever have (I was owned by a lot of junk before I got married too that got automatically dejunked from my life upon moving to another state).. That feeling of freedom is what drives me on. We live in a small house as it is (we currently rent), and when I think about buying a home, I probably wouldn't want one much bigger than the one we have. Maybe another bedroom. And a small lawn. But I don't want to be slave to a massive purchased home - I want to ENJOY it. I think that's why I'm so desperate to pare down what we own so that I can loosen its grip on us and we can take hold of it and enjoy what we have to the fullest.
Answer:
I love those moods! I am slowly cleaning out my closet this week... it takes me a while because I have to talk myself out of keeping things.
Answer:
Umm...can we say nesting? I've been feeling that way for a while and am just now getting the energy to get to it. After a while it can feel like everything else is running your life and you are just trying to get it all done. Of course I love the working in the yard aspect, its the inside housework I'm not so fond of! lol I am trying to simplify our life and declutter before moving and the baby comes and I love when I get in those moods! Run with it while you are feeling this way!
Answer:
When i got divorced my ex took everything of value including all the furniture except for the kids beds. It wasn't hard for me to call the grabage guys and have them drop off a dumpster. I filled it three times with stuff from the basement, attic, and shed that was mostly my ex's - and then started cleaning out the house. I got rid of everything that had no sentimental value to my kids.
It was so liberating, and made moving 3 yrs later so much easier.