In the past 30 days, there have been days it seems to take a great effort to continue slogging through 'things'. Other days flow like raging rapids, with things quickly being removed from the house as buyers stop in to pick up their newly purchased treasures.
To sell: Things I thought would sell quickly, have not. The car, the HD motorcycle, the collections new in box of Barbie, hot wheels, GI Joe, All things Shrek, Harley Davidson Gear/Decor and HD Memorabilia. HD Leather jackets, even leathers new with tags, never worn, are not capturing any one's fancy on ebay or CraigsList.
We did sell the high end treadmill, the furniture, the big screen tv, the rower, and the Mustang. Update: The Honda Insight sold to our friends Janet and Walt who were in the market to purchase a replacement for their Toyota Prius, a car they've passed to their college age son. They are happy with the comfort and economy of the Honda Insight, and it is nice to see the car in good hands.
To donate: Thankfully, the Tidewater area is flush with places that regularly schedule pick up in this neighborhood. DAV, Vietnam Vets, Purple Heart, and more. One organization, Eggleston Family Services, has the added advantage in that it also picks up old electronics, keyboards, household items, construction items, tools. They seem to be willing to take more than most. I have worked with their organization before, and am glad to put a good portion of the stores moved out of the attic into their capable, hardworking hands.
To Keep: This pile is still too large, or, as I like to think of it, Under Deconstruction. Things that move into the To Keep pile have been known to graduate to the donate pile, as I re-examine my motives and keep in mind the long term goal of less.
In the past 30 days, I've learned another old adage that proves to be true. Your kids really don't want 90 percent of the things you think they will.
Don't keep it for them. They've outgrown it, and have moved on to a new collection of things that matter to them now. I thought the Christmas Ornaments, or the treasured toys of their youth would be grabbed up and carried off to their homes. No such luck!
The laughs that treasures of yesteryear brought forth from their smiling faces will have to be reward enough for me. My Buddy, the baseball and basketball cards, all of the Fisher Price School Houses, Farm Houses and Ferris Wheels now belong to some other youngster. I hope that the parents pass them on quickly, rather than allow them to set unused in the attic. I let things set, unused, for far too many years, with the idea that the kids would have kids and want to continue the memory. My kids are grown and have other ideas on how to live their own lives, which is exactly how life should be!
The other truth I've realized is that deconstructing the overflow is cathartic. Sometimes it's really hard. For a few days or more, at times I've had to stop the effort, because mentally I couldn't get my head around the next category of things to move over the threshold and out the door. We attach memory and emotion and safety and security to things. It's more than just stuff, but holding on to too much is like dragging anchor. At least that's the way it is for me.
Thankfully Paul is patient and understanding. I think observing me in the process of downsizing here also gives him an appreciation for what he will face when we get to Taos and begin the process there.
I've also come to realize this process isn't just about downsizing. It's about creating the surroundings that bring us a sense of sanctuary, haven, and peace. Having things just to have things isn't helpful in the greater scheme for our lifestyle. We want to have less so that we have less to take care of around the house. The goal for us is minimizing the demands that our possessions place on our time and wallet, so that we may travel and enjoy visiting family, friends, the country, and the world. Fewer possessions equals more time to play. Fancy that.
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