Cleaning Out...Letting It Go

Sadly, hoarding is in my DNA, so it is not part of my nature to get rid of stuff.  But even I acknowledge how wonderful a parred down closet or pantry can be.  A couple of years ago, Rachel helped me clean out the attic. I was brutal and gave or threw away most of the stuff we'd stored up there for the past 20* years.  My  neighbor asked if I was moving, because I put such a big pile of garbage bags out for pick-up.

This year, I'm determined to rid myself of unused, unneeded items that are cluttering up my life.

Back when I was married and had 4 children living at home, I had one closet to call my own. Now, my clothes can be found in 4 closets, with bunches more hanging on the laundry room hanging rack. This is ridiculous. I've resolved to pare them down to the two closets in my bedroom. Since, I have clothes that span a range of sizes and decades, I am asking myself..."if I lose weight, would I even wear this again?"  If the answer isn't a resounding YES, then it must go.  When my mother was moving a few years ago, she kept bringing things over here...like a bridesmaid's dress I wore when I was 18 or the pantsuit I wore on my honeymoon (see what I mean about having hoarding genes).

I am resolved not...NOT...to be a hoarder, so clean out I must. Give away, throw away, let it go...that's my motto!

Except with my craft/art supplies. I love them. I use them.  I can't let my babies go...even to a good home.

But, one thing that was no problem to let it go recently, was the leaf debris in my gutters. Lots of leaves on the ground means packed gutters which need emptying regularly. I hate to ask someone to do this job, so it was so nice when my son, Brandon, noticed and took care of it while he was here over the holidays. Some things plainly are trash...well, not really....decomposed gutter compose gets left in the yard...it's good for the grass....see...I really am a hoarder!

I'm thinking about starting to collect a box of paper towel tubes, empty oatmeal and cereal boxes, bottles tops, etc. so the grands and I can use them to make castles and stuff whenever they visit. The thing that makes me hesitate is the idea...that now I will be saving trash! 

Which is a scary step for a hoarder to take.  :  )