Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Gaining by Losing


It was just going to be a closet, my closet. The one that is a catch-all. The one with wrapping paper, photo albums, extra shampoo, deodorant and toothpaste. The one where things go that don't have any other place to go. That one. On Saturday morning I woke up and just couldn't stand that closet another minute. Mind you, it hasn't bothered me in seven years, but on Saturday it became intolerable.

Hauled everything out of there that had no business being in there, then decided to tackle my clothes and shoes. Decided that half of those were just taking up space, as well. Space I could use for, well... not sure at that time, but felt the call for space. More of it. 

Worked like a dog all weekend in between last trips for snow cones, trips to the park, Target for last minute school supplies/clothes, cooking, grocery shopping, laundry, and other weekend obligations and commitments.

When I was done I'd created space in my not-that-big-but-big-enough walk-in closet, to move my altar into it. Thing about my altar is, it's beautiful, but quite dusty and seldom used because it was set up right by a window that looks into the neighbor's house, and if I close the shade then it's too dark, and I don't want to turn on the lights, and well, you can easily see the trouble all that might cause for someone like me. My altar/mediation table had become something I dusted on rare occasion and when I remembered, filled up the offering bowls with water.

As I rearranged everything in my closet I decided that indeed, half of everything I own must go. After half my shoes and clothes were gone I looked at the top of my dresser. Covered in framed photographs. SO crammed I could not see any of them. Took half of them down and put them in the deal-with-later-pile which is now taking over the basement. Told STM about the new half of everything plan and he ate it up. "Just read in the I-Ching today that we gain by losing and lose by gaining." The man then set to work on his closet and purged it by more than half, probably by 3/4. "Someone could be really getting good use out of this and it's just taking up room in here."

So, be warned books, CDs, videos, candles, baskets, toys and outgrown children's clothes: you're next.


10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Organizing, purging, cleansing. Just feels so good!!
Empty space is nice, too. :)

Laura said...

ahhh. It feels so good to let go. Share what is no longer needed. Create space. I did the same thing last spring. Now it seems the clutter is building again. I am learning that decluttering is a form of spiritual practice...and apparently we get lots of chances to do just that. practice.

I found your link at Talk at the Table. So glad I did.

Wanda said...

We've been cleaning out and organizing, too. Must be in the stars and planets.

Unknown said...

I'm a purge person. I have regretted it the odd time, but mostly it declutters my head a little.

I love your altar. Truly. I want to do this.

Tanya @ TeenAutism said...

Sometimes it's almost eerie how we get on the same wavelength, but then, when I think about it, it doesn't surprise me at all. I spent the whole weekend organizing, purging. It felt so.good.

Elizabeth said...

I love the idea of getting rid of 1/2. Periodically I do these purges, and they always make me feel depressed (at how much I own) and cleansed (out of sight, out of mind).

On another note, do you read the I Ching regularly?

jess said...

come to my house. please.

Deb Shucka said...

I can hardly wait to see what all this new space brings into your life. I'm so inspired by your work here, by your determination.

kario said...

Love it! It's hard to realize sometimes that abundance and space don't have to be at odds.

Congrats, my friend.

Amber said...

Um, I just got a little perverted Virgo high off of this post.

:)

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