Simplification
So the house cleaning begins. Every day I drag more of these big black garbage bags, bulging with discarded memories and broken dreams, out to the curb. I won't need much wherever I'm going: a table, a chair, a bed, a dresser. Maybe some books. All the rampantly reproducing stuff and clutter and possessions and things need to be excised from my life like a cancer. The process is brutal, but what a relief when it's done.
posted by Lymphopo at Saturday, December 30, 2006
4 Comments:
This is going to sound queer, but in an odd way you might appreciate it. I wish I were able to scoop all that stuff up, because it's stuff of a life that is beautiful and loved and interesting and comical and fierce. I don't know what the hell I'd do with it in a 1200 square foot house already brimming over with its own load of stuff, but it is sad to me to see you unload things which I am sure are beautiful, because they are yours.
All that said, I do know (and have been exercising) the catharsis associated with taking big ol' bags out to the curb, full of stuff I don't need anymore. We follow the "Negative Crap Flow" model coined by Laid Off Dad, where more shit must go out than comes in. Has to be done with such a small living space, and it usually feels really good to do it. But under your circumstances, please bring with you all of your colorful, beautiful things.
I've loved seeing the pictures of your home Liz, not only for the window it gave me of your personality, and for the beauty, but because when I moved into a small studio apartment I jettisoned everything. I now have, one small table, one bed, one desk, one computer, three chairs, very basic cooking equipment, and a 15 yr old microwave. I can't keep up with more with my health problems, and it feels better not to have to expect or accept others' help. It's very freeing. I thought I would die without my books and the old things from my childhood home. I live. You learn to turn to other things, maybe things that hovered in the periphery of your life, they now take centre stage. Sunrise was absolutely glorious this morning.
Best for 2007 xxxooo
I can speak of this in a peripheral way and admittedly, and respectfully, without a true understanding of what you are facing. But, that said, I live part time in a shoebox apartment in Manhattan. It IS freeing to really edit (a positive word for having to discard) your possessions, and what I have found is that some of the things I thought I cared about, I simply didn't. It's also been a newly creative thing to design my things and furnishings into a very small space (550 square feet, maybe 575) on a non budget. Also, to take some extra decorative stuff and then change things around now and then. Paint is a wonderful thing. Candles and flowers can be seen and experienced in a small space in a better way than a big space. You see your things more. It's cozy, and simple. It's a new home. Interpreting your words, my guess is that a new place will be NO LESS spirited and creative and "you" as your existing home is. It doesn't have to be forever, just a temporary place until things turn around again in an even better way. I can imagine how it must suck right now, though. I don't know how you do it, working on limited energy too. I'd be pissed and cranky 24/7 I think.
I hope you feel better today and wish you the very best 2007!!
another susan
I've also been filling up big black trash bags, in preparation for moving to a much smaller place. I've been holding onto lots of "stuff" for no good reason other than sentimental value. For that kind of stuff, I've found it helps somewhat to take a digital picture of it before tossing it into the trash bag.
http://bunnybubblette.blogspot.com/2006/09/stuff-i-gotta-throw-out.html
Post a Comment
<< Home