Funny isn't it? When it comes to ourselves we are usually the last in line. We are busy raising children, being wives, doing our work and volunteering. Often times somewhere in the middle of our lives a window of opportunity opens and a ray of sunshine pours through. The children go off to college, move away and get lives of their own. A high percentage of us will separate or divorce our spouses. A fair amount of us will decide to switch careers or follow a path that is dear to our hearts. Now is the time to go through our homes. Look closely at those shelves, drawers and closets that are stuffed beyond full with mementos, broken games, old books and boxes filled with things we were going to get to someday. I call this the house of "WHY". Why are we holding onto all of this stuff. Why do we need it? Why do we want it? Why can't we move forward without it? The answer is the "One Year Rule". If you haven't used it in a year, read it in a year, needed it in a year or worn it in a year. Goodbye. Say yes to less. Say yes to an empty shelf, drawer or closet. How can we create something new if we do not have room for it? I know, some of our stuff is sentimental. We say things like, it was my sons, daughters, or other family members. Ask yourself this funny little question. Why are you the caretaker of the collection?
Be ruthless with what you want to carry with you into the second half of your life. Have your kids stop by and make a day of it. Clean things out, revisit good times and fond memories, share a meal, laugh and have some fun. Then send them home with lots of boxes of "stuff". I know myself it feels good to have less. Today, myself and a few other friends got together and helped another friend organize and clean out. We had a purge party. Yes it was alot of work, but we had fun. Our friend had the support and courage to say yes to boxes for the Goodwill, yes to garbage sacks and yes to letting go of the past. I know how hard this must have been. However she seemed pretty happy when we left and can I say, her cupboards, bookshelves and drawers were less cluttered and reflected the woman she has become. I raise my glass to her courage. Try this at home with your friends, you will forge a deeper kinship and lighten your load. Less is more. Pass it on!
Funny isn't it? When it comes to ourselves we are usually the last in line. We are busy raising children, being wives, doing our work and volunteering. Often times somewhere in the middle of our lives a window of opportunity opens and a ray of sunshine pours through. The children go off to college, move away and get lives of their own. A high percentage of us will separate or divorce our spouses. A fair amount of us will decide to switch careers or follow a path that is dear to our hearts. Now is the time to go through our homes. Look closely at those shelves, drawers and closets that are stuffed beyond full with mementos, broken games, old books and boxes filled with things we were going to get to someday. I call this the house of "WHY". Why are we holding onto all of this stuff. Why do we need it? Why do we want it? Why can't we move forward without it? The answer is the "One Year Rule". If you haven't used it in a year, read it in a year, needed it in a year or worn it in a year. Goodbye. Say yes to less. Say yes to an empty shelf, drawer or closet. How can we create something new if we do not have room for it? I know, some of our stuff is sentimental. We say things like, it was my sons, daughters, or other family members. Ask yourself this funny little question. Why are you the caretaker of the collection? 
Be ruthless with what you want to carry with you into the second half of your life. Have your kids stop by and make a day of it. Clean things out, revisit good times and fond memories, share a meal, laugh and have some fun. Then send them home with lots of boxes of "stuff". I know myself it feels good to have less. Today, myself and a few other friends got together and helped another friend organize and clean out. We had a purge party. Yes it was alot of work, but we had fun. Our friend had the support and courage to say yes to boxes for the Goodwill, yes to garbage sacks and yes to letting go of the past. I know how hard this must have been. However she seemed pretty happy when we left and can I say, her cupboards, bookshelves and drawers were less cluttered and reflected the woman she has become. I raise my glass to her courage. Try this at home with your friends, you will forge a deeper kinship and lighten your load. Less is more. Pass it on!
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