Even after completing my Journey Into Minimalism, I'm still not a minimalist. There's still a huge pile of things next to me. One of the closets in my room (don't ask why I have two. I didn't build the house) is piled and stuffed so high with abandoned possessions that when my mother went to open the door, I told her to "stand back."
Not very minimalist of me.
But at the same time, I recognize that this isn't a set back. It's a unique part of my journey that I can't avoid. It's a part of my mission to living light that isn't going to be easy. For some, the hard part is boxing the possessions up. For me, it's making the decision to donate them or throw them away. I've never been one to attach sentimental value to my possessions, so it's not that I get choked up at the thought of getting rid of closet full of these things.
It's that I'm lazy.
While minimalism has given me more energy, as I don't have a million and one different things to clean up, I still can't fathom starting on that huge pile.
So I decided to throw it all away. I knew my clothes were in good condition, or they wouldn't have been in my closet before, particular as I am, so I could give those away. But the rest of the possessions went in the trash. The books went in the basement for my book loving parents- we have a small library in the basement, and I'm beginning to think that needs a little work, too, but if my parents want it, they can have it.
I did the same with my desk supplies. I had a huge pile of supplies next to my desk- markers, stamps, books, a bottle of rubbing alcohol, an old trophy, a heating bad, and a pillowcase (Don't ask).
The markers that I knew I used during the school day I kept. The important papers I filed. The stamps I cleaned (with the rubbing alcohol) and put them both back where they belong. The trophy went in the basement-- with the rest of them-- the heating pad on my bed, where I take it every night anyway, and the pillowcase in the laundry.
Now, I've mentioned putting things in the basement a few times. I have a separate post on that, and I encourage you to read it, because that's not minimalism.
Keep it Simple,
Sarah
Not very minimalist of me.
But at the same time, I recognize that this isn't a set back. It's a unique part of my journey that I can't avoid. It's a part of my mission to living light that isn't going to be easy. For some, the hard part is boxing the possessions up. For me, it's making the decision to donate them or throw them away. I've never been one to attach sentimental value to my possessions, so it's not that I get choked up at the thought of getting rid of closet full of these things.
It's that I'm lazy.
While minimalism has given me more energy, as I don't have a million and one different things to clean up, I still can't fathom starting on that huge pile.
So I decided to throw it all away. I knew my clothes were in good condition, or they wouldn't have been in my closet before, particular as I am, so I could give those away. But the rest of the possessions went in the trash. The books went in the basement for my book loving parents- we have a small library in the basement, and I'm beginning to think that needs a little work, too, but if my parents want it, they can have it.
I did the same with my desk supplies. I had a huge pile of supplies next to my desk- markers, stamps, books, a bottle of rubbing alcohol, an old trophy, a heating bad, and a pillowcase (Don't ask).
The markers that I knew I used during the school day I kept. The important papers I filed. The stamps I cleaned (with the rubbing alcohol) and put them both back where they belong. The trophy went in the basement-- with the rest of them-- the heating pad on my bed, where I take it every night anyway, and the pillowcase in the laundry.
Now, I've mentioned putting things in the basement a few times. I have a separate post on that, and I encourage you to read it, because that's not minimalism.
Keep it Simple,
Sarah