Thanks to Storm Jonas, I had a chance to do so much needed organizing and cleaning at home. So after a pretty lazy snow day on Saturday, I decided to use my Sunday productively. During my cleaning, I found so many things that I have held on too for YEARRRRSSSSSS.
So friends, “Hi my name is AB and I am a pack rat.”
Whew there it is! It feels good to say out loud! I admit I have a problem. I can attach an emotional value to things and then I keep them. I feel like sometimes it’s ok like keeping an extremely gorgeous heirloom from my great great aunt; other times it’s like “AB throw the damn stack of birthday cards away.” LOL! However, here are a few take-a-ways I learned yesterday.
1. You Tried It and it Doesn’t Work For You
I must have found eight incomplete journals. This year I even purchased a new journal in an attempt to make journaling a habit. After finding all of these old incomplete journals, I said, “Fuck it. I wont ever buy another journal again. “ Clearly journaling isn’t for me, yet I have been trying to force it for years. I even have an app on my phone to journal and I still don’t do it. So I will never by myself another journal again.
2. Look Before You Throw it Away
I found some old beanie babies while cleaning up. Yes beanie babies and was just going to throw them away. My friend Ashley sent me a link for beanie baby valuation. Turns out one of them might be worth $500. So yes, it is great that you are purging but just make sure you aren’t throwing out valuable things.
3. Find More Creative Ways to Store Memories
A few Facebook friends offered some truly creative ways to store and keep my memories, but in a purposeful manner. Someone suggest that I turn all of my t-shirts into a quilt. Another person suggested organizing cards, programs, and obituaries on rings by year as a more organized approach to keeping memories.
Are you a pack rat? Do you have problems throwing things away? Or are you a former pack rat and want to share how you have overcome those issues, then let me know!
AB