Live Only With What You Love!
Do you wander around your house, from day to day, going about your business, without really seeing it? When is the last time you really admired something in your own home? The same thing applies to your closet. How many times do you grab the same thing to where, over and over again? While other items, go almost untouched. Every item in your home & wardrobe was accepted by you, and allowed to occupy space, in your life. Each of us has a limited lifespan, and limited space. Is it really worth having items in your home and in your closet, that you don’t love, and never wear?
As time marches on we accumulate a lot of stuff. We have families and friends that give us things, or heirlooms that are passed down. Our children and grandchildren make special items for us. Some objects are filled with memories, and take us back, to a moment in time, that allows us, to relive a certain moment!
I read a lot of articles about downsizing, or rightsizing, about decluttering and uncluttering your life. It’s all good advice, if put into the context of life. Growing up, in a military family, we moved a lot. We were forced to evaluate the value of our worldly goods, on a regular basis! Did it serve a purpose? Did it still work? Would there be space for it, at our next duty station? Was it worth packing? These decisions were usually based on practicality and I understand that. However, there are some things, that I wish, I still had. Things that in a moment of haste, brought on by the stresses of packing and moving, were deemed, or doomed, to be left behind.
Over the years, I have honed my skills, in an attempt, to avoid the painful regrets, of giving up things, I truly love. I have taught myself to ask the questions; “Can I walk away from this without regret?” “Is this item so unique, that I may never find it, or something similar to it, again? Does an item fit well, or make me feel good? But… the biggest and most important question is “Do I love it?”
The best way to start this “Love it or Leave it “process, is to pick one room or space, and begin going over every piece in that room or space, asking that one question. Listen to your heart, not the latest trends, not the interior designer, not even well-meaning friends or family members. The value in the things we keep in our homes and closets, should come from how it makes us feel! If you find yourself answering “No, I don’t love it.”, then pull the item from the room. Don’t let a memory or a gift get in the way, of removing an item. People who love you, would never want you, to have something in your house or closet, they gave you, if you don’t love it! Don’t get rid of it, right away. Just remove it from the room or space. Repeat this process until you have examined every item, right down to the bed linens. Then take a look, at your room or space! My guess is you’ll be happier with it. This process may take you a while, to get through. There’s no rush! No deadlines, especially if you go through every room and drawer in your house, but it is so rewarding when you’re done.
At some point you will need to deal with the items you removed. Ask your family members, if any of the items you removed, have a special meaning for them, or do they “love” any of them. If they do, then give them the item, and let them display it, in their personal space. Keep what you need, keep things your family enjoys, but pass along, everything else. Donate the things that still have a long life ahead of them, but don’t truly excite you.
Remember, this is a process. A chance to enjoy the things that make your home, your own. A chance to really figure out what you enjoy wearing! It also affords you the opportunity to find other objects that inspire you! You don’t have to be a collector, you don’t have to have a theme. You don’t have to follow the latest style, or own a handbag because it’s by a certain designer. Loving the things that feather your nest and make you feel good and beautiful is enough, and will bring you great joy and peace. Consider it housekeeping for the heart!
