The good thing about my retirement is I have a lot more time. Yesterday I went through closets, drawers, and searched under beds. Here's a bit of what I unearthed and took to Goodwill
So why was I holding on to the tapes? And what started me on my quest for empty drawers and closet space?
The other day I read the newspaper article, "Why We Gave Away Our Home." It's about a family of 4 who sold their VERY large house, bought a smaller home and started The Hunger Project, a nonprofit organization that helps people move from hunger to self-reliance. And according to the father, Kevin Salwen, and author of the article, "The family has never been happier."
After reading this article, I thought "Wow, the change that I threw in the Salvation Army bell ringer's bucket at Christmas doesn't stand up to this type of charity work--giving away your home."
I began to dial the Realtor...
Thank God Kevin Salwen also states in his article, "We don't expect anyone else to copy what we did and sell their home." Phew. I clicked off the phone but kept thinking.
I don't have a huge home. Plus I don't want to sell my house. My husband and I plan to stay here (in a very active retirement community) until we can't stay here "no more."
But it was "Eh... Mary not so fast....
At the end of his article Mr. Salwen writes, "But most people can find some commodity in their lives they could give up...or stuff, like donating half the clothes in your closet."
That's when the never worn, new pair of slacks I bought 3 years ago that were still hanging in my closet and collecting dust, began to haunt me.
The slacks were the match to my flame of going through every drawer, cabinet, closet and taking a closer look at what I "REALLY" NEED. This is what I found out:
I don't need the two belts that go to my trench coats because I never belt coats.
I will never play my movie tapes because I don't own a tape player.
6 white blouses, 3 by the same maker, are 3 too many. My life will be just fine with 3.
The too-high, brown boots I bought 2 years ago when I forgot I'm over fifty and have tender feet--I will never wear...maybe some young gal can wear them and have fun.
I don't need 2 briefcases...since I'm "retired" ...maybe I don't need one!
So empty picture frames, extra wine glasses ... my life will go on without them.
Three candle holders are enough for any family...the other three can make some other home bright.
The "cleaning out" was a wonderful experience. I found out I hang on to things because I think "What if I need this some day?" Too hell with that. I won't need it! Need is different than want.
I'm still rejoicing in my continuing minimal lifestyle.
And by the way the drive to the Goodwill was delightful.
Retirement update: One of the things I wanted to do in retirement was to entertain more. Well, Sunday I'm throwing a cocktail party for my husband's woodworking friends. Wish me luck...I'm not the best at this. Yikes. Where do you find cocktail weenies in the grocery store?
Posts
24 comments:
I always donate clothing when I can; my wife finally cleaned her closets out and we came up with 4 bagsful. but I never thought of the other stuff. I tried to sell/give away stuff at a garage sale. No one took anything, even for free.
I threw stuff out. Now, I'll know to take it to goodwill.
Thank you.
That's great- we try to donate too and it feels good! good luck with the party!
I am right there with you. Honestly, I think clearer as the unwanted stuff goes away. Goodwill is the ultimate re-gifting outlet!
I've been busy doing the same around here - and as crazy as it sounds, it's a lot easier to figure out what to wear every day when your closet is only half full haha! =)
I really need to do that whole purging thing, too. I'm a packrat and hang on to stuff 'just in case'. I have way too much stuff that I really don't need, and need to simplify for sure! I wonder if they have support groups for people like me? Hello, my name is Stacy, and I'm a procrastinating packrat. ;) Good for you getting it done! You've inspired me to get to work! :)
That's great! We do this a couple times throughout the year. We just actually did a MAJOR overhaul in preparation of the twins! I've actually looked into other places to donate and found out a lot of hospitals will take books and games for their patients!
Thank God for Goodwill. It's saved a lot of my stuff landing in the Land fill. Great that you have done this.
Thanks for donating, Mary. In 2008 we served 1.5 million people in the U.S. and Canada, thanks to donors like you. Here's a little bit about what we do: http://www.goodwill.org/about-us/.
Thanks, again.
- Cody Switzer
Goodwill Industries International
My husband LOVES to clean out our house every few months and donates it all to the Salvation Army. It's a nice release to realize that the stuff that's cluttering our space will be better used by others.
PS. In our store the cocktail weiners are no where near the regular weiners but are kept near the deli cheeses and meats clear across the store from the regular ones.
Thanks everyone! I'm going to do the same clean out and drive to Goodwill in six months. Join me. I can't believe I got a comment from Goodwill!
Mary
You are amazing, Mary! Good for you! I thought I cleaned out my closet a few months ago...but I think I need to do it a few more times a year!! My statement has always been "I might need that...or I might fit into that some day!" DUH!! Also, please tell Don he can find those little hot dogs already in a "blanket" at Sam's or Costco...or not in a blanket....
Love your blog~
C.
I was glad to see that someone from Goodwill commented too. In our town, Goodwill has closed their doors due to the lack of support from the community and the competition from other thrift stores, a lot are for profit stores. There is one that I donate all my stuff to. They support a women's shelter for women who have left abusive relationships, had addiction problems or ended up homeless for some other reason. It's a great store and it employs the women it supports. I both shop there and give there. And I have never run across something I donated. Mostly because they do such a good job of pricing things so reasonably that they have a brisk turn over.
Until Goodwill left town, I would split my stuff up into two equal piles and donate to both. I thought I should continue to do that, but there are no other thrift stores who price as reasonably, so I don't feel comfortable giving to a charity that feels to me like a ripoff from those they are supposed to benefit.
Today, I am digging under our bed for things stored there so long that we forgot what's there. My husband and I are such packrats that we have someplace to clean out about once every two or three weeks.
Purging like that feels so good! I do a pretty big clean out once a year!
I'm typically pretty good at keeping things that we aren't using moving out of the house to the appropriate charity. What I'm horrible at is throwing away paperwork. Just this evening I went through a file to throw away those "Explanation of Benefits" papers from the insurance company. They went back to before we were married! All of it is online now, why do I still keep these 40 lbs of papers?
Congratulations on your de-clutter project & I would check Sam's Club or Costco for yummy appetizers.
GOOD JOB, YOU! In the South, we were raised to keep at least six different candlesticks, two sets of "good" china, and a drawer full of carefully pressed and folded formal tablecloths for....um, I forget. Nothing clarifies like retirement. Do you plan to continue putting that in quotation marks? So far, from what I read, yours has all the earmarks of the real thing.
We did that this year...moved to 1/2 the floor space. It drives me slightly nuts (but hopefully spring will help)! Half to clean and we can't keep filling it up. So, out with the old...or just keep the old...who knows? My mom retired last year, this blog post is going to find its way into her email in box. :-)
Very cool that you got a comment from Goodwill! I've been leaving boxes out for AmVets. They come right to our doorway for donations! With my two little ones, it's so convenient!
Have a wonderful cocktail party tomorrow!
bravo! I love reading about ways people give back and serve others less fortunate. thanks for visiting Marlie and Me. I hope you come back soon!
I've been de-cluttering for a really long time now. Kinda hard to get rid of some stuff. You're motivating me to really get it done for real now.
Thanks for stopping by my blog and Happy Saturday!
GOOD FOR YOU!!! I'm so Jealous! I need to purge of the old but just can't get the motivation!
Have a GREAT weekend and Happy SITS Saturday!
xoxox,
Kristen
www.chaoticcreationsbykristen.com
Thank you for passing by my blog about a WEEK AGO OR SO! am a bit behind! I lovw throwing parties but never done a cocktail one yet....also yes i do clear every closet once a year..its incredible how muchwe accummulate
You are so right. A few years ago I went on a major purge and tossed some things I had no business keeping.
I still had my grade 8 graduation dress. Yes, it was the first really nice piece of clothing I ever sewed myself. The fabric was beautiful and I have a lot of fond memories wearing it. But it was 30ish years ago, I was 8 inches shorter and way too many pounds lighter.
I also got rid of my wedding dress. It was a modest dress (I have bras that cost more) and I have a son. No one in my life was ever going to wear it again.
And to top it off, I had a beauiful woolen housecoat that belonged to my grandmother. The thing is, my grandmother was 5'2" (compared to my 5'11"). I could never wear it.
Getting rid of these items that were full of memories was easier than I thought. The memories aren't gone, just because the object are. And I have a lot more room in my closet for clothes I actually wear.
Andrea
wow, look at all these comments. Obviously people feel strongly about "What to Keep." Andrea, what an interesting story about your belongings.
Mary
The Glam Gals are all for this.. if you need any extra "pushing" or inspiration to get started, you might want to check out one of the best DVD's on the market...The Ultimate Cure For the Dysfunctional Closet. Check it out at www.fabulousafter40.com
Post a Comment
Tell Us What You Think!