Filtering Out What Doesn't Fit

 

As many of you know I’ve been on a HUGE decluttering journey as well as a HUGE pantry challenge and as of this very moment I’m still working diligently on these two things.  Last week I told you about my top three priorities for my life.  I wish to seriously make those three priorities, exactly that, a priority.

 

Loads of stuff has been given away, donated, recycled or tossed

In order to do that I’ve had to make some big decisions and I find myself literally filtering out what no longer fits in my life, hence all the massive decluttering.  I’ve been looking at my home and my things with a new set of eyes and there have been a lot of what I refer to as “reality checks” lately.

 

Piles of scrap wood have been given away

The reality is that I no longer need most of the stuff I have owned over the years.  It doesn’t fit anymore.  Systematically I have gone through clothing and shoes, linens, toiletries, office supplies, cleaning supplies, craft and sewing supplies, tools and hardware, dishes and glassware, scrapwood and project materials, you name it, I’ve gone through it.  I’ve given so much stuff away, recycled bin after bin and even sent a few bins of items to the landfill.  I keep finding more stuff!

 

A vehicle I wasn't driving now has a new home

I only need so many things to cook my meals, fix stuff, create stuff, clean stuff and dress myself.  The rest is just not necessary.  My goal is to streamline my possessions down to the point that I only have what I need, want and use on a regular basis.  I will only keep things that add enjoyment to my life and fulfill a useful purpose.  By doing this I will no longer be encumbered by extraneous items and clutter which will free me up for the things I really want to focus my time and attention to, enhancing my quality of life.

 

I keep coming back to this, it really is true

Will I become a minimalist?  While I may be minimizing and streamlining my possessions I don’t see myself really becoming a minimalist.  There are certain items I find myself keeping just because I like them and enjoy them which is completely fine.  I have a lot of arts and crafts supplies, a lot of sewing supplies and I love dishes and recipe books so there is more of that than what I truly need.  But, I don’t need clothing I do not wear, piles of scrap wood I likely won’t use, extra linens for beds no one sleeps in or furniture no one sits on, Christmas china I don’t plan to use, a car I rarely drive or old technology that is no longer needed.  Those are the things that weigh me down and make me a little anxious, they just no longer fit in my life.  Now I have room for the things that do.