Too Much Stuff

Yesterday, my adorable neighbor girl came knocking at my door. She announced proudly that she was selling "stuff" and wanted to know if I would buy something.

Just a couple days earlier, she was walking down my driveway on her way home from a friend's house after school. After chatting a moment, we agreed that when Spring came, we were going to do something fun together. We were probably both thinking this fun time will include ice cream!

Though many decades separate us chronologically, we seem to be in a common mindset these days. When she proposed that I buy some of her stuff, I actually laughed out loud, then explained that I would have to pass on buying any of her stuff because I was doing the same thing.

In moving stuff out of my kitchen/dining area to get ready for a much-needed paint job, I came to the very obvious conclusion that I just have too much stuff. Between Great Aunt Polly's eclectic memorabilia, my Mother's treasured tea cup and saucer sets added to my own collection of flute players and tea pots, my cupboards were just crowded.

I recalled Life Coach Katrina Gleason, teaching her monthly class at the Hollidaysburg Library, "Decluttering and Simple Living" last June. Katrina gave many great pointers the night I attended to cover her class for the Herald, but the one that stood out was that it's okay to get rid of things that no longer make you happy.

Motivation to declutter is an individual trigger. Though I didn't ask my neighbor what motivated her to sell door-to-door on a very cold Saturday, my motivation was simple. My answer to Katrina's question about whether that item or pile of stuff make me happy was, "No!" It's causing me more stress.

I'm no psychologist, but maybe this is part of the grieving process. I wanted to hang onto every precious memory of my mom, my family, my happy life when my parents were alive.

Now I feel like my parents and Polly understand my need to simplify and declutter. I'm not dishonoring their memories by donating or selling some stuff. By giving these things away, I am allowing someone else the joy of that item.

While my neighbor canvassed the neighborhood, I filled a couple of boxes with stuff that will find their way to a new, joyful owner and I already feel happier. Less truly is more!