Did I say "Out with the Old"?

Alright, I'm having a rough time parting with my DVDs.  There are a few boxed sets and collector's editions that I feel are close to my heart.  But the fact of the matter is, they're not.  If there was a fire, the DVDs are furthest from my mind.  Interestingly enough, I would grab my portable electronics (after ensuring the family was out safe and assuming I wasn't searching for them, I can nab them on my way out).  In my imaginary world, I grab my nook e-reader, my mp3 player and my portable hard drive.  They all happen to be in one bag by the nearest door in case of such an emergency.  Ahh, fantasy.  Now to purchase those items and make this thing happen!

Okay, back to the DVDs.  I love some of the movies.  I feel like I'm part of some of them.  As if selling them off is selling a part of my soul.  How can I do that?  Reality check.  It's not.  They are things and my life will be fine without them.  In fact, my soul will be lighter and richer.  And, honestly, I can download all those movies and keep them on that portable hard drive I so desire (which will also hold all my important information scans and pictures).  Okay, let's be honest, that's what our lives and information is leading.  To portable centers of personal information.  The hard drive is an excellent example.  And, to be honest, the nook and mp3 player could be left behind as well - I'm certain my music and books would also be stored on the hard drive.  Fine.  I would grab that one thing.

Alright, it's settled.  I'm going to suck it up and sell them off.  Lighten my load.  Free myself just a bit tonight.  And, to all who have bought me DVDs in the past.  I love you.  I loved the gifts.  I'm doing this for me and my sanity.  *kisses!*

In with the New!

Well, this was unexpected!  Geoff and I ordered this silly, plastic pink and black chess set that I think is just adorable!  And yes, I plan to keep a good, long time (or give it a new home if we somehow end up with the chess set we really want).  Tonight I will be cataloging my DVD collection for sale on craigslist.  The more things I can remove to declutter, the lighter I become.  The lighter I am, the easier it will be to pick up and travel.  The easier it is to pick up and travel, the more spontaneous I become.  Ultimately, it equals happiness.

Surround yourself with things you love.  Surround yourself with people you love.  Surround yourself with love.  It's not an easy road, I know.  It's hard and decisions sometimes have to be made.  What about the piece of nostalgia from high school or your cruise or your best friend's wedding?  If you love it and use it, keep it.  If you like it and don't use it, take a picture and maybe write a little memory to keep in your computer.  If you keep it out of what may appear to be obligation or guilt, chuck it.  You do not need anything extra lying around and causing stress by extra search time or further causes to trip or guilt.  Clutter is a stress-creator.  Declutter and be happy.

I'm going to work on this self-help part and probably create a new blog that's mostly for others.  I feel I am an excellent listening ear, advice-giver and could be a self-help guru!  Here's to wishing!

Out with the Old...

 

Tonight was a do-nothing, go-nowhere night.  Many of them has been of late.  It's nice, but it's also wearing on me.  I am feeling like I'm getting lazy...  Derby was the one thing that kept me going, going, going all week.  However, I didn't know how to balance that with my daily life and I feel I neglected the apartment and the kids to some extent.  Time for a new year and a new Cindy (aka Cynnister)!  But how do I go about this?

Step 1: Pare down.  

I canceled NetFlix.  I canceled World of Warcraft.  I am selling off my DVDs.  The first two will save money and time and the third is to reduce the amount of clutter in my home.  If you haven't read it, I love the mnmlst blog (in my links) and in particular his desire to pare down to a paltry 50 items (counting ever piece of clothing, every book, every thing).  So my quest begins to pare down to 200 items.  I will have to count every single thing I own.  This should be fairly easy, since I will be starting to pack things up to move to a new place by the end of February.  

Wow, even 200 sounds like a small amount. 

I know I can do this.  I also plan to help my boys pare their things down as well to just those items they love and want to keep.  Once we're in the new place I will help them each bring their items to 100 in each of their rooms.  I have faith that we can acheive anything we put our minds to and we can lighten our burden if we put our minds to reducing clutter.

Truly, it's better to surround yourself with fewer items that you feel are wonderful than just a mass of things that are good enough.