Meanwhile the demo on the kitchen begins tomorrow, and we are not yet done packing up everything. I am once again gobsmacked by how much stuff we accumulate in our lives. We use perhaps five percent of what is in our kitchen, so why do we have all those things. I’m drowning in material possessions. It sucks up all our air. Also, the man and I aren't as young as we used to be, we don't power through physical tasks as we once did, which means I'm feeling extremely overwhelmed. And anxious. And lonely. Why lonely? Decision fatigue is real. Self-doubt is real. Relinquishing control and daring to trust an outcome that is in the hands of others to execute when you’re not that clear on your own vision is hard. At least it is for me.
My son just came. He immediately got busy throwing out a lot of expired containers, with not a moment of doubt or angst. Thank you for that, son. I don’t even care what went in the discard box. You are a prince.
Congratulations to your daughter. She took the step and it's not easy. I am lonely. I never used to feel lonely. But I do now. I think it's because I'm teetering on old. I did a large purge a few years ago, but not large enough. I know what you are feeling. I spent 8 months clearing to and fixing up for sale the house I grew up in. 62 years of stuff. I don't want to leave that for anyone to clean up.
ReplyDeleteSoon you will have a new kitchen and your son is on his way to clearing out some stuff.
All of us have too much crap; you are not alone. I usually do a spring purge when I get rid of things. I love getting rid of stuff. That's my jam, did I use the expression right? I hope so:)
ReplyDeleteGlad your son was able to help you guys out and your kitchen will look beautiful when it's all done.
Ach! I feel your pain. When we left North Carolina, I ran ads for "free come get it, owner will not help you." What didn't go in the travel trailer went in to two storage units. Later we down sized to one storage unit, which we kept for eleven years. Then we moved to Tucson and stuff started flowing in to the house. Sometimes it felt like a river of stuff. Now we're in Washington with more kitchen stuff, more warm clothes and shoes, and hats. The thought of leaving this place fills me with dread. It's amazing how much stuff congregates in the kitchen cabinets. Stout heart, the new kitchen will bring you joy and there may be less stuff to contend with.
ReplyDeleteIt is always easier to let go of someone else's stuff. Kudos to your son for taking some of this load off you! I hear you on not being able to power through tasks. I feel like an eighty-year-old these days, no energy and no stamina. Congratulations to your daughter for making a change even though that was difficult. I'm with you, I'd have opted for safety over growth, but everyone is different in their tolerance for risk.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to your daughter. She's smart, accomplished and career minded. To advance to the next level, changing jobs to acquire new skills and responsibilities is important. I'm happy for her. I need to do a followup purge. I did one in 2019 but feel it's time for purge #2. How do we get all this stuff? It must be magic!
ReplyDeleteI know that I have so many things that I'm emotionally attached to for no real good reason. Things that perhaps someone gave me that they probably don't even remember. Things that strike one slight memory of someone I love or did love. And I really want to face all of that- to get rid of that which does not serve me. But oh, it's so hard. Your daughter is right. Change is hard. Always. But it generally leads to good, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteSo, what's her new job? Change is hard and I know what you mean about not having a clear vision of the end result but it will start to come together. And good for your son helping to discard the obvious.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how much stuff collects when you live in a place for a long time. Bravo to both you and your daughter for having the courage to change!
ReplyDeleteYou make me think abut all of our cupboards and drawers and how crazy full they are of stuff we never use. It's hard to let go of things we've had forever, but sometimes I think it is utterly liberating.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to your daughter at her new job. Hope she loves it!
ReplyDeleteThe kitchen redo is a big deal! It will turn out fabulous but it will be tough to go through! Pamper yourself whenever you can during this!
Sending love always.
ReplyDeleteI will be ok. I wish one of my sons would come throw out all the stuff in the garage!
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how much crap we accumulate over the years, and our kitchen cupboards are not just full of ours but my parents too. Loads of china I will never use but don't feel ready to get rid of it. I'm sure I'll regret that decision.
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