My Great Discovery

Quan Yin

As you know, I am in process of emptying my house. Meanwhile, I seem to be cluttering it. In the picture above, you are seeing one of the few remaining clear spaces in my house — a mantel with a beautiful statuette of Quan Yin on it. In great contrast, at the end of this entry, you will see unexpurgated views of decluttering in process.

I have come to a great discovery. When I tell you about this great insight, you may not think it is so much. You may even think I am being overly melodramatic.

But I have to tell you this is the insight of the century for me.

The photos below will give you an idea of how decluttering has been going for me. I am sorting, sorting, and don’t know what I’m doing and not really getting anywhere, especially when there is so much stuff and hardly room to think.

It’s simple to decide what I’m taking on the motor home trip to Argentina because it’s almost nothing. A few cast iron pans, wooden bowls, some herbs and foodstuff that I already have, bedding and towels for everyone, some spiritual books for the spiritual center, the Quan Yin statue, some Deity pictures for the spiritual center, some ethnic musical instruments, my computer and Godwriting workshop materials, three everyday sets of casual clothes and three workshop outfits, hand cream, face stuff, shampoo, hair dryer, Water-Pik, electric toothbrush – hmm, actually there’s a lot more than I realized. But anyway, that can be figured out when Santhan and the motor home get here. Santhan knows how to make decisions without batting an eye.

The really hard part for me in decluttering has been making decisions about what to take to My Lucky Day (the equivalent of the Good Will) and what to keep to sell at the big in-house moving sale. When I put something into the My Lucky Day pile, I too often take it back. I am sorry to confess that I have let dollar signs get in my eyes. The dollar signs say, “Look, wow, you could make a whole dollar on this!â€?

So it’s really like I’ve subliminally been calling the two piles — Money Gained or Debit — forgetting that in both cases I’m gaining my objective to be free of clutter, possessions and the past — and to gain valuable empty space.

But now I’ve got it figured out! There has been a revolution in my thinking. Now we’re getting closer to the secret of my big discovery.

There are kinds of items that I love and kinds of items that I don’t.

There are certain types of stores I love to go to, and others I don’t. Within a department store, there are departments I always like to look at, and others I pass by. If I were going to have a store, I’m quite clear on what sorts of wares I would stock it with.

So, here’s my revelation:

I am going to consider my moving sale a store!

All the items that I would not stock in my store will be banished to My Lucky Day. That would include old speakers, stereo systems, clothes, and necessities.

All the items that I do tend to love will remain in-house for the big moving sale. This would include books, housewares, furniture, tablecloths (I have some beauties), silverware, dishes, mirrors, Buddha statues, and other collectibles etc.

First I am going through everything and easily choosing what is for My Lucky Day. No longer do I have to choose what to keep. I choose only what to give away. Is this genius or what?

Certainly, it’s simpler. One decision instead of two.

It’s in the bag now. My Lucky Day bag, that is.

*** Photos below:

kitchen mess

Kitchen Mess

upside-down shoes

shoes

living-room mess

mess in living room

table mess

table mess

Posted by Gloria on October 27th, 2007 under these topics
Decluttering, Purely Personal, Godwriting Journal

Post Discussion

15 Replies

Reply from Margaret Weiner on October 27, 2007

Ah, the heart has its reasons, doesn’t it!

Reply from Gloria on October 27, 2007

Wait until you see tomorrow’s entry!

Reply from Jo on October 27, 2007

Truly a revelation of genius and FUN! Actually, I don’t think the “clutter” photos look all that bad. Now I think you should name your store…something joyous and totally fun.

Reply from Xenia on October 27, 2007

Great revelation Gloria, and a valuable one to remember when I get into similar quandry!

Remember also, that whatever doesn’t sell at the end, still can be given away or sent to ‘My Lucky Day’. I volunteer at a thrift shop and know how someone’s discarded item can become a happy find for someone else.

Thanks for sharing and keep us posted.

Reply from Gloria on October 28, 2007

i just love the comments — and you for writing them!

Margaret, the heart has its reasons! Perfect.

Xenia, just for the record (and my pride), these are not discarded items. They are beautiful china and great household belongings! I see I have to take more pictures.

Jo, I think it’s a great idea to name my store! But what could it be? What do you think of?!!!

Love and blessings,

Gloria

Reply from Joyce on October 28, 2007

An easy way to do it would be to put everything in the yardsale. Whatever doesn’t sell goes to My Lucky Day.

Reply from Gloria on October 28, 2007

Joyce, it’s so much fun having you respond on the forum!

Here’s the thing, I have no place to put things. I must get as much out first as possible. This will be a sale in the house. I have to have room to put things. And I need room to think! There is much I simply have to go through first.

I wish you still lived in town!

Reply from Joyce on October 28, 2007

Why not have the sale on your lawn Saturday? Accuweather.com predicts 53 degrees and partly sunny for Fairfield. No need to think if you are taking practically nothing with you. Just cart it all outside!!

Reply from Gloria on October 28, 2007

Right, I’m going to move all my furniture and 500 items outside? Plus where in my yard — it’s all trees! And then it rains — and another three hours bringing everything back in! I’m worn out thinking about it. No, dear, I’ll sell from inside the house, and let people carry things out with them!

Reply from Jo on October 29, 2007

O.K. Gloria - the names for your store:
#1 Second Hand Glorias (I believe this one was “Godwritten”)
#2 Heaven’s Hand-Me-Downs
#3 The Glorious Grab-Bag
#4 The Joyful Junkyard
#5 Leftover Love
Any resonate?

Reply from Gloria on October 29, 2007

Dear Jo, the Godwritten one is my favorite.

I wonder if we can add to it, something that indicates this is quality merchandise! Exclusive, el primo, rare…

What do you think?

Reply from Jo on October 29, 2007

Could you just add “Quality Merchandise” after Glorias? “Exclusive” sounds good, too. Where would you work it in?

Reply from Joyce on October 30, 2007

When an auctioneer was clearing the belongings out of my father’s house, he told me one of his tricks, which might be helpful to you in getting rid of lots of stuff. He would put items together in a box. If someone wanted to buy something, they had to take the whole box of stuff. So there could be one or two really great things in the box, and a lot of junk.

Reply from Gloria on October 30, 2007

You are so much more efficiency-oriented than I am. You would have this all done already! While you are efficient, I’m thinking of feelings. I would only want people to be free to buy what they want. We think so differently, you and I, and yet we are such good friends. I think together, we would have all the bases covered and we’d be the perfect person!

Thank you so much for caring, dear Joyce.

Reply from Joyce on October 30, 2007

If the prices were low enough, it would ease peoples’ feelings considerably! Taking home a box could be an adventure. “Gloria’s adventure box yard sale. Only $5 for a box full of treasures! Something for everyone in the family”

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