Decluttering

When my last child left for college I knew I was starting a new season of life. After raising 11 children I was excited for what God had for me next. Mission trips and traveling is only one part of this new season. Another part is decluttering and getting rid of stuff!

I read a book and one thing she says is ask your self what you want when it comes to your house. I picture a clean house that I could have company any time without worrying about the mess, that I can have that relaxed feeling of a hot cup of tea and relaxing knowing my house is clean.

My son James was helping me clean the garage recently and he said to me a pivotal comment. He said “mom why do you keep so many things just in case someone comes home and needs it again“. I realized that probably half of my house is stuff that I don’t personally use, but that I save in case the kids come home and need it. It was just like a lightbulb went off and I realized I don’t need to do that anymore. I need to start getting rid of stuff so I can have freedom and time to do things that are more important. Stuff is a task master: we have to keep track of, inventory it, keep it clean, dry and organized. I’m starting to look at things differently now. Instead of having more storage cabinets, get rid of stuff that needs to be stored. So little by little I’ve been trying to go through things and I’m amazed at the garbage bags I get filled up. The boxes that I’ve been taking to the secondhand store. Still feels like my house is so full of so much but slowly and surely things are changing.

My office was a huge job because it included so many emotional items and decision making things. It also includes all sorts of things that I need to add to my to do list! So it was fatiguing getting through it. Sure feels good to have that clean though!

Under the kitchen sink:

Someone thought they had to help me! 😊

How many utensils should a person have?

I love to cook and I love kitchen things, so I put my extras in the basement and I'm actually liking not having so many in the kitchen. Just because it's easier to put things away without so many.

This was just a start........So much to be done!!!