It all started with the post Drowning In Stuff at the start of January.
Something was changing. There was a definite shift in my mindset toward the next stage of decluttering.
I then spoke with the fantastic Clutterfairy and downloaded Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui by Karen Kingston.
*There are no affiliate links in this post
Then came Letting Go Of Clutter To Become Who You Now Are.
Life is a journey – with mine all out on display for the world to read 😉
Yesterday I, finally, did something I’ve been planning to do for the last year.
I listed the Kids’ cotbed on eBay. It hasn’t been slept in for 12 months.
An end of an era. Time to move on.
Realisation hit that it wasn’t because I hadn’t time to list the bed that I hadn’t done it. It was because I needed to accept they are growing up.
Life moves on whether we choose to move with it or not. The bed, once loved and used, is now redundant. In less than 24 hours of being listed, it’s going to a new home. In fact fate stepped in and it’ll be taking up residence in a foster-home. I couldn’t really have wished for a better place for the bed to continue its own journey.
All rather dramatic when talking about a few bits of wood screwed together. But that’s the problem. It isn’t just a few bits of wood, it’s almost 8 years of memories. To me anyway. But really, it is just a few bits of wood – isn’t it?
I think I may finally understand.
“Life is constantly changing. So when something comes into your life enjoy it, use it well, and when it is time, let it go.” Karen Kingston.
**Now would be an ideal opportunity to update where I am with my Spring Sale. Those following the blog may remember I set myself of target of generating £600 in 12 months from selling redundant items (aka clutter) – with the bed sale I now have just £115 to reach my target!**
Well done Jo! As you know, I struggle in the opposite direction. I can’t see anything but the bits of wood. So sometimes I worry that I’ll see more than that one day, and be sad that I haven’t kept any stuff for the memories. But so far, no regrets. And no stuff. 🙂
Thanks Lauren! Hope your move went well?
You remind me so much of one of my dearest friends. She would say exactly the same as you about the bed. In fact she sold her wedding dress as soon as she returned from honeymoon. It was just a dress. I’ve always been so inspired by her approach (and yours) because it is so different to how my brain processes things. When you say you can’t see anything but wood, it reassures me that it is how we see things- our perception, and not that there truly is any memory held within the physical item. You won’t have any regrets Lauren (and look at all the mindspace you have by not holding on to useless stuff) , we come into the world with nothing and leave with nothing – that is one thing I know for sure!
Well done Jo! As you know, I struggle in the opposite direction. I can’t see anything but the bits of wood. So sometimes I worry that I’ll see more than that one day, and be sad that I haven’t kept any stuff for the memories. But so far, no regrets. And no stuff. 🙂
Thanks Lauren! Hope your move went well?
You remind me so much of one of my dearest friends. She would say exactly the same as you about the bed. In fact she sold her wedding dress as soon as she returned from honeymoon. It was just a dress. I’ve always been so inspired by her approach (and yours) because it is so different to how my brain processes things. When you say you can’t see anything but wood, it reassures me that it is how we see things- our perception, and not that there truly is any memory held within the physical item. You won’t have any regrets Lauren (and look at all the mindspace you have by not holding on to useless stuff) , we come into the world with nothing and leave with nothing – that is one thing I know for sure!
Love the quote by Karen Kingston. It helps put things in perspective when we’re struggling to let go of material things.
I’ve really enjoyed Karen’s book. So much so I’ll be checking out the other stuff she has written. Nice style of writing!
Love the quote by Karen Kingston. It helps put things in perspective when we’re struggling to let go of material things.
I’ve really enjoyed Karen’s book. So much so I’ll be checking out the other stuff she has written. Nice style of writing!
Hah! I’m of your mindset, Jo, and it took me quite awhile to realize what you’ve realized – it’s just pieces of material (wood, cloth, paint), which, individually, I wouldn’t invest with any of my emotions, so as a whole I don’t need to remain attached to the item either. I’ve even had to picture the parts of the whole as they were before they were cut and assembled to help me “see” it a different way. Works for me. Seems like you are figuring things out. What a lovely destination for your bed – just wonderful! Good luck on your continued journey.
Thanks Jo, I’m sure it’ll be much easier now (like you) I am able to detach from the item easier (well a little easier ;-))
Hah! I’m of your mindset, Jo, and it took me quite awhile to realize what you’ve realized – it’s just pieces of material (wood, cloth, paint), which, individually, I wouldn’t invest with any of my emotions, so as a whole I don’t need to remain attached to the item either. I’ve even had to picture the parts of the whole as they were before they were cut and assembled to help me “see” it a different way. Works for me. Seems like you are figuring things out. What a lovely destination for your bed – just wonderful! Good luck on your continued journey.
Thanks Jo, I’m sure it’ll be much easier now (like you) I am able to detach from the item easier (well a little easier ;-))
Well done! I’m going to be doing the same with my baby stuff (exersaucer, jolly jumper, bassinet…) next week when the kids are back at school. It sure is hard to accept that life is moving on sometimes, but that stuff is redundant. And given who we are and where we’re at right now, the cash is far more important than the hassle of dealing with sentimental furniture 🙂
Thanks for inspiring the rest of us sentimentalists! (I must download that Karen Kingston book…)
Glad you are making progress Clare. Dealing with stuff is exhausting – it’s the decision making that is so time-consuming. But really with the bed, it shouldn’t have still been hanging around. A bed is a large thing to hang onto when no longer used! We’ll get there, eh?
Well done! I’m going to be doing the same with my baby stuff (exersaucer, jolly jumper, bassinet…) next week when the kids are back at school. It sure is hard to accept that life is moving on sometimes, but that stuff is redundant. And given who we are and where we’re at right now, the cash is far more important than the hassle of dealing with sentimental furniture 🙂
Thanks for inspiring the rest of us sentimentalists! (I must download that Karen Kingston book…)
Glad you are making progress Clare. Dealing with stuff is exhausting – it’s the decision making that is so time-consuming. But really with the bed, it shouldn’t have still been hanging around. A bed is a large thing to hang onto when no longer used! We’ll get there, eh?
Aaaawww, Jo, we had exactly the same cotbed. Wonderful memories, and little sadness that I won’t need it for any other child of mine.
It was a great bed. I’m so pleased it’s gone to a foster-home – helped to let it go!
Aaaawww, Jo, we had exactly the same cotbed. Wonderful memories, and little sadness that I won’t need it for any other child of mine.
It was a great bed. I’m so pleased it’s gone to a foster-home – helped to let it go!
I held on to boxes of my children’s baby clothes for several years. And finally when the youngest two were about 4 years old, I gave away quite a bit, and sewed what I held on to into quilts for their big girl beds. And now, my “babies” will turn 18 in just a couple of months. Where did all that time go to?!
Lili – I love the idea of making a quilt. My skills are rather limited on the sewing front. I have bought some hessian and plan to ‘bodge’ a rug with some material I have that holds some memories however.
ps – exactly, where does the time go?
The rug sounds very intriguing. Have you seen photos online of this sort? Could you point me in the right direction to see something like this. I’m cleaning out my sewing closet this winter, and wondering what to do with some of these odds bits of fabric.
Time with our children at every phase whips past us. Just enjoy having them at this age for the while that it lasts. Then you’ll have new adventures with them when they’re older. It’s actually very exciting to watch my kids become young adults, and see who they’re becoming, although much more hands-off at this age.
Hi Lili – I’ll be posting more about the rug. My gran used to make them so I’m going to ‘wing it!’ so to speak!
I held on to boxes of my children’s baby clothes for several years. And finally when the youngest two were about 4 years old, I gave away quite a bit, and sewed what I held on to into quilts for their big girl beds. And now, my “babies” will turn 18 in just a couple of months. Where did all that time go to?!
Lili – I love the idea of making a quilt. My skills are rather limited on the sewing front. I have bought some hessian and plan to ‘bodge’ a rug with some material I have that holds some memories however.
ps – exactly, where does the time go?
The rug sounds very intriguing. Have you seen photos online of this sort? Could you point me in the right direction to see something like this. I’m cleaning out my sewing closet this winter, and wondering what to do with some of these odds bits of fabric.
Time with our children at every phase whips past us. Just enjoy having them at this age for the while that it lasts. Then you’ll have new adventures with them when they’re older. It’s actually very exciting to watch my kids become young adults, and see who they’re becoming, although much more hands-off at this age.
Hi Lili – I’ll be posting more about the rug. My gran used to make them so I’m going to ‘wing it!’ so to speak!
I found it odd to get rid of our cot that had been used for all three children. I gave it to somebody who really needed it on freecycle, and liked the thought of another person getting some use out of it! Have just set up my own blog, at rebeccahalpernblog, which is mainly about our son who has Asperger’s, am still getting to grips with how my account works!
Hey Rebecca – have just been over to yours. All the very best with the blog – without a doubt blogging is as much (if not more) benefit to the blogger as those who read it. I love blogging for many reasons, one being that I get to look at my life as though I were an observer rather than a participator. It’s also fantastic to get feedback from others and have a virtual home to share thoughts, concerns, conversations and just generally chat with others. I’m looking forward to following your journey with all your children, and of course hearing more about Luis.
I found it odd to get rid of our cot that had been used for all three children. I gave it to somebody who really needed it on freecycle, and liked the thought of another person getting some use out of it! Have just set up my own blog, at rebeccahalpernblog, which is mainly about our son who has Asperger’s, am still getting to grips with how my account works!
Hey Rebecca – have just been over to yours. All the very best with the blog – without a doubt blogging is as much (if not more) benefit to the blogger as those who read it. I love blogging for many reasons, one being that I get to look at my life as though I were an observer rather than a participator. It’s also fantastic to get feedback from others and have a virtual home to share thoughts, concerns, conversations and just generally chat with others. I’m looking forward to following your journey with all your children, and of course hearing more about Luis.