My transition from cluttered to simple living.

Monday, July 12, 2010

And so it goes (and lessons I have learned along the way...)

The packing continues, and it is not yet evident whether I am making progress.  I often wish that I did not have a conscience...but I do...and so the following is what I have learned on the way to the recycling bin...

1.  Never EVER buy another magazine.  
2. Deal with paper clutter immediately.
2. Never handle a bill or letter more than once.
4. Ask your kids for a phone call rather than a card.
5. Ask the kids if they want their report cards and keep them no longer than 5 years. (OR...Scan and store on the computer and dispose of the paper copy immediately.)
6. Keep no more than one example of their art work especially if it cannot be identified.

I will be adding to the above list in the coming days.

Sorting of foodstuffs is easier when you look at the expiry dates on the packages.  I cringe when I see the amount of foodstuffs that are filling my garbage can.  I am appeasing my conscience by removing the packaging and recycling it.  I am truly amazed at the poor quality of products I have in my cupboard...many of which are full of ingredients that I cannot pronounce.  So much has changed over the past year....

I am trying to convince my husband, that you accomplish nothing by creating a mess all over the house when you are packing and sorting.  It makes a stressful situation more stressful.  I can't say much though, as he has really been working hard since we made our new purchase.

I am going back at it now... I am sure that if i survive this move, I will never EVER do this again....but if I ever waver in that decision, I know I will have learned some lessons along the way, and there will be much less sorting to do.

IMG_4063

6 comments:

  1. Good luck with all the packing and the move Wendy!

    You'll chip away at it and get it all done in no time.

    Can't wait to see pics of the new place once you get settled in!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks Amber... i sent you a few before... Hope you got them! More to come...

    ReplyDelete
  3. I know it doesn't seem like it now, but everything will fall into place and you will be in your new home before you know it.
    Remember to enjoy the journey.

    ReplyDelete
  4. We are in the beginning process of downsizing too...we used to own a huge Victorian house full of antiques and when we moved into our smaller log home on the lake, my hubby wanted to sell more then..I said no and we put it in storage. I thought someday I might open an antique store and sell it all there. Well, now I am in retirement and changed my mind about the store...we are renovating a small cottage across the street from where I live and when I furnish it, I will sell the rest at a huge yard sale. We are just beginning to get stuff out of storage and boy, do we have a LOT of things there. It feels good when we take out each and every piece and either decide it goes into the cottage or into the future yard sale pile. It will feel even better when we sell all the rest of it for good!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Blogger ate my comment. I look forward to pictures and more stories about the move!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hey...I didn't get photos! I totally agree with keeping things organized while sorting and packing. Physical mess equals mental mess. I won't even tell you what I think about storage lockers, lol, at least not here. Good for you on the grocery thing - eating healthier is no easy thing to accomplish. You certainly are shaking up your life this year! Good for you!! Ooooh, those magazines...another conversation. :-D

    ReplyDelete