Last week, my husband and I moved from a four bedroom home to a two bedroom unit.
I was so excited.
I love moving homes, it gives me chance to organize and sort, which is kind of like watching a pig in mud!
So I started to organize and sort and as moving day loomed closer it was clear that a whole lot of ‘stuff’ needed to go. We culled and we culled and we culled some more. I ruthlessly went through our kitchen cupboards. We only need one salad bowl not four, we only need one platter not three, we only need one bottle opener not two and the culling went on. But we still had so much ‘stuff’. What do you do with all your ‘stuff’ that you can’t bear to part with, just in case!
We did the best job we could and we managed to fit everything into the unit, but it is still a tight squeeze.
I think some more ‘stuff’ needs to go.
I have a collection of little stuffed bears because I am Claire Bear and I love bears. They take up a whole shelf that could be used for more practical stuff. Stuff that we need, not want.
I have been pondering what they add to my life in terms of happiness. In theory I know that stuff doesn’t make you happy but when I look at my bears they give me a warm feeling inside that I really like. I don’t know why this happens, it just does. Could I give my bears away and still be happy.
Hmmm I am still pondering this but I am getting closer to a decision. I think I could give them away, apart from one little bear that I adore, and I am pretty sure I could still be happy. At the end of the day it’s not what I have in my life, it is who I have, the experiences I create, the people I touch and the legacy I leave behind.
So I guess it could be time to bear hunt!
Anyone want a bear?
Be happy, colour the world.
Claire
Another excellent and very speedy read!! There is something very cathartic about getting rid of stuff, sorting it out, cleansing. I have to be in the right frame of mind and then I can be ruthless and you are so right, it is only stuff. It takes getting older and wiser to realise that I think!
I am so glad it was a speedy read Nik and thanks again for jumping in and sharing your thoughts. You do have to be in the right frame of mind to be able to get rid of ‘stuff’ and moving homes is one of the best ways to do it.
Claire ou need to google Marie Kondo, she says you shouldn’t keep anything that first fill you heart with joy. So you can keep your bears and throw away all your bills and paperwork!
Arghh sorry about spelling errors! Baby brain.
Liz, I just googled Marie Kondo and I love her decluttering method. She said “First, put your hands on everything you own, ask yourself if it sparks joy, and if it doesn’t, thank it for its service and get rid of it.” So maybe I can keep my bears after all! How awesome is that. Thanks heaps for sharing and BTW your baby brain is definitely excused.