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Originally Posted by The Hidden Life
 Spent a good six hours tackling the master bedroom this weekend. I pulled EVERYTHING out of the closets, sorted, purged, rearranged and put back only what really needs to be in there.
On the rods: DH & my own clothing, our shoes (we keep the one pair we're using in the entry hall), DD's grow-into-clothing, memoribilia clothing (my wedding dress, baptismal gown, first communion dress, letterman's jacket, etc.) On the floor of the closet: Two medium-sized tubs of baby clothes (one for girl, one for boy--these could go out to the garage really, now that I think about it), dirty laundry basket, hidden Xmas presents in shopping bag (shhhh) On the upper shelves: one banker's box medieval clothing (my one remaining SCA dress), one banker's box of wedding momentoes, my second purse (needs repair), one box of costume fabric (for Halloween, etc), one small box of toys (future b-day gifts for friends, etc). Oh, there's also the foot spa up there. Hasn't been used in years. Gave myself thirty days to decide to use it or donate it. I vacuumed out the whole thing, including the upper shelving. Eww! Got rid of a lot my DH's clothes as he lost 80+ lbs this year! Also tackled his dresser and my nightstand and the other areas of floor around the bed. One small pile of "things" left to find homes for (my artwork, some framed photos, etc) and still need to get under the bed and pull out a couple of bins of things under there. DH's nightstand will be last. He is a determined clothes dropper and scrap keeper. Every pen, coin, score card, business card, sticky note, etc just comes out of his pockets and is laid on his nightstand never to be touched again. I have a system for dealing with it and we just purge it once or twice a year. I would say I am 2/3 done but already it feels so much better because I know how empty that closet is compared to what it was! I pulled out seven kitchen garbage bags of things to donate! Long-term there are things I would like to remove from the room to make it more minimalist, but getting everything off the floor but the furniture is a good start. |
Good for you! Keep at it.
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Originally Posted by The Hidden Life
DH's nightstand will be last. He is a determined clothes dropper and scrap keeper. Every pen, coin, score card, business card, sticky note, etc just comes out of his pockets and is laid on his nightstand never to be touched again. I have a system for dealing with it and we just purge it once or twice a year.
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Originally Posted by ParisApril
Good for you! Keep at it.I got rid of our artificial Xmas tree yesterday. We have a live one this year and have decided to get a cut or live one from now on. That freed up a 3'x1' section of shelving in the storage room! Our place is so small that is going to make a huge difference! |
Toward a simpler, secure, more humane existence by Ferenc Mate
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Originally Posted by BurtsGirl
marimara, these are awesome. I'm saving them to my to-read list right now. Doesn't look like my library has most of them but I'll request them from interlibrary loan soon.
Speaking of interlibrary loan. I find this to also be a good tip for simple living. I only purchase books I need to reference like cookbooks and book on my spirituality. Saves a lot of room and you still get to read some great books. Most library's have an ILL system for books they don't carry. |
) so that we can afford to do this.
Here's to 2010 being the beginning of your adventure and moving out 7 bags!!
Thank goodness we were very sad.
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Originally Posted by ParisApril
Marimara 7 bags great job!
Every 6 months I turn all my hangers in the closet so they face the wrong way. After 3 months the clothing on any hanger that is still turned the wrong way gets donated to the second hand store. (Taking into account the seasons of course.) |
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Originally Posted by ParisApril
Every 6 months I turn all my hangers in the closet so they face the wrong way. After 3 months the clothing on any hanger that is still turned the wrong way gets donated to the second hand store. (Taking into account the seasons of course.)
I called down this morning the tree hadn't been sold yet and they set the star aside for me. Thank goodness we were very sad. |
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Originally Posted by LionTigerBear
Hmmm. So, I caught up on this thread again, and I have to say, I really don't feel like I fit in here. I mean, yes, I want to enjoy a more simple and non-consumerist experience, but I guess that looks different to me.
For instance, I am fine with having two cars that we use. Three or four cars and two ATVs and a motorcycle would be keeping up with the Jones' around here, and that's what we're not going to do. I am fine with having 20 different skirts, because I love them and wear all of them. I am not going to fill a whole walk-in closet with clothing I don't wear, though. Also, some of you sound kind of judgmental of those who haven't adopted your values yet. I know it can be frustrating, but for me, living a simple life is also spiritual-- about feeling more zen and just at peace with myself and the world. I'm not going to let other people's consumerism ruffle my feathers. For me, simple living is about living in a way that is more sustainable and wholesome for my family-- not about trying to be holier than the next person. Who knows but that they are doing what is best for their family right now? It's not my place to judge. So, yeah, I am not about trying to pare my belongings down to 100 items or anything like that. I am happy with my iPod, my two computers, my Rubbermaid box of Christmas decorations. I just don't plan to expand my decorations to two boxes . . . And I am okay with ferrying my kids around to errands-- we LOVE errands. What's wrong with going out and seeing the world and experiencing life? I guess I am posting this in hopes that other people might be inspired by this. Simple living isn't just for those who seek the extremes-- it's for regular folks, too! |
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