Packrat

Confession: I am a little bit of a packrat.

I find sentimental value in things that other people don't.  Or I think I might be able to use something in a craft, and if I toss it, I'll never find another one.  Or, I have something I don't need, but feels a waste to toss and too insubstantial to give away.  There are lots of reasons I keep things.

Over the past few years, I've gotten much better.  I've moved 5 times in the last 6 years, and that tends to decrease your belongings!  During my most recent move, from one apartment to another last October, I told Mat, "I'm just going to hope that the next time I move I have about 60% less stuff - it would make things so much easier!"  I kind of meant it as a joke, Mat took it as a goal and a challenge. "Well, moving and putting things away is the best time to get rid of stuff, because once you find a home for it, you're much more likely to keep it," he said to me.

So, I took on the challenge.  I don't honestly believe that by my next move, I'll have gotten rid of more than half of my belongings, but I will have gotten rid of quite a few unnecessary items.  One of the first things I did while unpacking was set up a few "get rid of" piles.  One was stuff to give away, one was stuff to throw away, and one was stuff to sell.  Since then, even though all most of my stuff has found a home, I keep a standing, "Get rid of" pile in my house.  When the box gets full, I find a way to give or sell everything in it.

I read this quote today: "Every increased possession loads us with new weariness." John Ruskin

I've heard similar sentiments before, and I tend to agree.  I'm not getting rid of my stuff solely to make moving easier.  I'm getting rid of stuff to make my life simpler, to help me focus on the intangibles like relationships, and to prevent myself from getting bogged down by comparing what others have to what I have.