Happy Tuesday all. Hope this finds everyone well and safe. It is a lovely morning here. Cool, sunny and low humidity for a bit! I will gladly take it. I even porch set a bit last evening - it felt so nice outside. I know the glorious weather won't last, but it will be enjoyed while it is here.
People I know are moving or thinking of it. My sis has made the final decision to go to assisted living. It is a very small apartment (very tiny house) - so she is having to get rid of lots and lots of stuff. All happening this week.
My neighbor and friend have put their home on the market. I am NOT happy! They are wanting to move to TN - at least he wants that.
I looked up the listing on their house to see how it showed in pics. Now, mind you, I have been in it many, many times and it is just such a sweet cozy house. Not in the pictures! It looks very sterile and cold to me. I know this is what realtors want - so people can 'imagine' their stuff in there. That wouldn't work on me at all. I want to see how a house can look homey and cozy, not sterile and vanilla. They removed any semblance of life IMO. I would never buy something that looked like that.
It has motivated me. Good grief, I would hate for someone to have to come in and go through all my things and think I was cray-cray!
I need to simplify even more (yes, that can be work) and lessen my footprint. I need to truly love and use all that I have.
Recently I have been working on my pantry stores. I have lots and lots. Boy, do I have lots and lots. My pantry and cabinets have very high shelves in them, and things have been placed up there and almost forgotten. I have been rediscovering. From back in my coupon days - I have enough foil and plastic wrap to probably last the rest of my life (I hardly use).
I knew (or thought I knew) I had a lot of pink Himalayan salt. I couldn't find it. Well, yesterday I did. Yep, again I have enough salt to last for years. I have all grinds of it. Other goods that I thought I was out of or near out of, I found more! Things that I can only get certain places, mainly out of town. All is still good. Some things will basically last forever.
I have pasta (all kinds) out the wazoo! All safe and in glass jars. Dry beans - oh my! Again, all jarred up. I am trying to get a grip on what is really here.
I know this probably sounds like I hoard food - that is not what I call it. I call it being prepared for maybe not having. I have always been a sort of prepper - for years.
I thought I was about out of relish - I found a few jars I canned a year or two back, that was stuck in with the salsa. I am good to go on that. I have a lot of salsa to use in many ways. Lots of home canned tomato products.
I emptied many glass gallon jars and filled many. Got to love those jars.
So needless to say, I have no plans for basic grocery shopping anytime soon. Milk, or cat food or fresh fruit - will be it. Thankfully the garden is also producing - so more than enough to use. No reason to have it - if I am not using it.
Now this is just food - so far!
I have so much stuff that has been boxed up and stored away for years - WHY????? It isn't going to gain any value or be appreciated any at all in those boxes. It is taking up real estate. I have to let go. Most of it has no sentimental value - it is just things that we both got here and there that we thought were neat at one point. The sentimental things I keep or pass to certain family.
Those sentimental items are best gifted now, when I can relate stories and where it came from - otherwise someday it will just be 'stuff' no one knows anything about.
It is amazing what motivates us. My sis and my neighbor have given me a push I needed without even knowing it. I can't even fathom moving and having to do all this at the same time.
We can't be enslaved to stuff! It happens and it is easy to do. I do love things - but the special things.
What an ongoing journey this will be. A new season in my life!!!!
Funny, how we put things away to be safe! In my case they are - because even I have forgotten where some things are. LOL
Life is full of journeys and seasons - here I am in yet another.
Anyone else in this stage? How are you handling it? I think we all get there - it just takes time. Some have already downsized a ton - some have much work to do.
So now I started the 'getting rid of' stage. It can be overwhelming. I am going slowly and taking small bites - a little at a time. I am really thinking about the choices I make and what is important.
Have a fantastic day. SMILE