Taste Life Blog

“What is your doll doing on the dryer?”Danielle asked. I explained it was going to Goodwill.  But was it? As I type, the doll is sitting in my car, waiting. What I didn’t tell Danielle was this doll has taken several trips in the car and come back home to the laundry room. How silly! I am a logical person and have this darn doll driving around in my minivan. Thirty-two years ago, Princess Diana and I got married about the same time. I devoured everything about her royal wedding including the purchase of her flower girl doll.  This doll holds special memories but she used to hold more; today, not as much.

Last summer I started to de-clutter my home. With the help of my neighbor, Julie, I managed to get rid of over 100 items in my closet. I still cannot believe I only have one purse. What other woman do you know with only one purse?  In a sermon, Deacon Tim Helmeke stated people spend the first third of their life collecting, the second third maintaining what they collected and the last third getting rid of. Guess I am in the last third as I am on mission to simplify my life and get rid of anything I am not using.

Clutter is a huge emotional and mental drain and is the result of choices. I know this sounds obvious but until you look at your choices a clutter free life will elude you. If I am feeling stuck or unfocused it is usually a result of my work and living space being cluttered.  I often tell clients “Want a new client, just clean off your desk!” Works like a charm.

Sentimental clutter keeps us stuck. It locks us in our past. If you spend too much time thinking about the past, there is no room for the new you and the present. Studies show we get a happiness bump when we savor. So, create space for those extra special pieces of your past like the handwritten recipes by my Gram Lily and savor them. But I don’t need to keep the beef jerky wrapper I was holding the day Gram Lily and went in the front door just a burglar was running out the back door. I saved that wrapper I bet for twenty years. Why? It wasn’t even a good memory!

Where to start? Follow these simple steps so this spring there is space for the new you.

First: Select an area of your house that is calling you. You know which one. Maybe it your favorite room you watch TV in, or your bedroom. It is your favorite room that you feel your best in but right now it isn’t feeling its “best.”

Second: Look at all the stuff in this space and ask yourself: Do I use it? Do I love this thing? Does this thing hold happy memories for me? Try to answer yes to all three and then you can keep it. Otherwise, part with it.  Have ready three containers – one for garbage, one for donations and one for items give to someone else who needs it more than you. Remember, guilt is not a reason to keep something.

Third: Bring in something new that represents growth. Maybe flowers or a picture of your most special relationships you treasure. Create a feeling of energy.

A high quality life has more to do with what you remove from life than what you add. I may be getting rid of my doll, but don’t even ask about my white pair of wedding shoes.

You have one life to live, just imagine if it was one you loved! Better get busy! What sentimental clutter have you gotten rid of and how did it make you feel? We would love to hear from you.