At home and ready

As I began this process of simplify my life while I was in New Hampshire at the house I grew up in I found it interesting that my determination outweighed my emotions on a lot of items that I got rid of.  Of course there was the occasional warm fuzzy feeling I felt when I read a note from someone in a year book or find a great picture that stirred up old memories. And of course these memories are all great and I could fill a house worth of stuff that would produce these sorts of feelings but I realized those emotions were my past.  The past is great but I am determined to live in the present and plan for the future.  One of the rules I made for myself as I got rid of item after item was  asking myself - What will I do with these items when I die?  Where will they go?   As much as I would appreciate the reflection of the life I have lead I want to focus on the now and my future and where I will go.  With that being said I flew back to Denver eager to get rid of stuff and started creating the list of things on my way home.

I knew I had so many things that I just did not use anymore.  I went from clothes to shoes to books to cooking utensils to even my microwave.  Some items I got rid of not because I did not use them anymore but because I realized I did not want them anymore.  I would rather reheat my food over the stove and not use a microwave to do it.  The microwave was more of a clock in my living space telling me the time rather than something that I used to heat or cook my food in.  Note to self: must get a wall clock to help me keep track of time and be on time- it’s a needed item. 

I did not select all the items over one afternoon but rather as I lived in my space and observed what I used and so I began to form the pile.  Some items I choose just based on the fact that I did not use it, others I realized I just did not need it in my life.  I focused on my goal of simplifying my life, creating a peaceful space and finding clarity and not clutter.  I often asked myself- what does this item provide in my life?  I counted one item in so many different ways, some items were bunched together like all the DVD’s were 1 item but split types of shoes apart, i.e. dress shoes, flip-flops and Birkenstocks were three separate items.  There was no rhyme or reason for how I came up with the guidelines I just did what I felt at the time.  I know many people have asked me about the list and let me know tell you I had to go back and write down almost every item to put this list together.  Hopefully this list will give you a better idea of how you might start your own list of 100+ items to get rid of in your home:

·         Yellow Guess Coat

·         2 pairs of dress shoes

·         2 pairs of old skis

·         TV

·         VCR

·         DVD Player

·         Night Stand

·         Brown pants

·         Polk-a-dot dress

·         Socks

·         Black dress top

·         Pink dress top

·         Polk-a-dot skirt

·         Pumpkin colored capri’s

·         Pair of jeans

·         Microwave

·         3 plastic storage containers- 2 small one large

·         Khaki jacket

·         Cooking pot

·         2 ski vests

·         Tank top

·         T-shirts

·         Glass bowls

·         Champagne flutes

·         Hair straightener

·         2 pairs of flip-flops

·         Birkenstocks

·         Cheese board

·         Bike lock

·         17 DVD’s

·         Flour sifter

·         Crème brulee kit

·         George Foreman

·         Hiking boots

·         Yoga ball

·         Umbrella

·         Straw hat

·         Party favors

·         Sheet music

·         Tennis racket

·         Art supplies

·         Bunny ears

·         Silk material

·         Car sun shield

·         2 sweaters

·         Staple gun

·         Car seat covers

·         Suitcase

·         3 pairs of dress pants

·         Brown skirt

·         Black skirt

·         2 dress tops

·         Nails, screws and other toolbox supplies

·         Pink dress

·         Show glasses

·         Cookie sheet

·         Knee brace

·         Wine charms

·         Waffle ball & bat

·         Candles

·         Travel games

·         Candle holders

·         Dog collar

·         CD’s

·         Silverware set

·         Leotard

·         PJ’s

·         Kitchen containers

·         Books

·         9 picture frams

·         Coffee mugs

·         Necklace

·         Earrings

·         Bracelets

·         Bobble-head doll

·         Pins

·         Picture of Seattle

·         Elmo stocking

·         Dress coat

·         Hawaiian costume

·         70’s costume

·         Coasters

·         Belts

·         Magnets

·         Happy massager

·         Spice grinder

·         Decorative bottle

·         Ballet shoes

·         5 pound weight

·         Scarves

·         Black dress

·         Bike shorts

·         Ski jacket

·         Running tops

·         Flashlight

·         Baking pan

·         Bread pan

·         Apple cutter

·         Rain coat

·         Heating pad

·         Capri yogi pants

·         Fuzz remover