Sift, Sort, Pitch

/ Zanne

I groan at the thought of the job ahead of me as I watch my husband pull down boxes from the attic above the garage.  We decided that this was the summer to go through everything.  Is there any other task so daunting than paring down thirty years of accumulation?!?

I tell myself that it shouldn’t be that hard.  After all, I haven’t used or even seen the stuff in ten years… nor have I missed it.  I couldn’t even say for sure what’s up there.  Theoretically, I should be able to move the boxes from the attic to the car to the donation center unopened and not miss a thing.  Right! …like that’s ever going to happen!  

When I say “we” are paring down, I really mean “I” am paring down because hubby rarely accumulates anything he doesn’t have an immediate use for.  Most of what’s in the attic is household stuff anyway, so it’s up to me to sift, sort and pitch. I usually find it difficult to part with things that are still so good and useful.  Surely I’m not the only one who feels this way?!?  

I’ve lost a couple friends this year.  One from a five year battle with cancer, another who went to the hospital for an MRI only to discover she had a brain tumor.  She never returned home for the five weeks she had left.  The tremors caused by these losses compelled me to put my own life in perspective.  I’ve asked myself, If I was to walk out of my home not realizing I was never going to return, would I want hubby or any of my children to inherit the burden of sifting and sorting through everything?  Although they’d probably make short work of it, I don’t think it’s fair to leave them with that.  I feel responsible for the mess I leave behind…I want to minimize it as much as possible…

The idea of moving through life “lightweight” is so enticing that I jump in wholeheartedly.  I found a non-profit thrift shop that uses their proceeds to help the elderly with their fuel bills right here in our community.  It’s a win-win and it makes parting with cherished possessions so much easier!  Seven carloads later, I feel like I’m making progress.

So here’s to our summer of paring down!!

~Zanne

InSearchOfAuthenticity.com

© 2019 Zanne

9 thoughts on “Sift, Sort, Pitch”

  1. Kudos to you, Z! Surely there were some items that had memories attached, making your job even harder! It’s nice to remember that someone else will actually pay money for your items, exclaiming, “honey, look what I just got!” Perhaps a second, useful life.

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    • LOL!! Hadn’t thought about that aspect of it, Dianne, but you’re absolutely right! I am relieved of stuff, the thrift shop has more money to help the elderly AND the purchaser finds a treasure! That would qualify, then, as a win-win-win!!

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  3. Im sure that this particular task is something everyone can relate to; except those who are packrats! Im proud of you, oh and jealous too:)

    XOXO

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    • I understand the packrat mind quite well. While I’d like to say I’m a “former” pack-rat, I can’t quite claim that I’ve been completely cured. The stumbling block is the decision-making in letting go of something of perceived value or even future value. Once I switched that to the present value of peace and tranquility in letting it go, it became easier…

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  4. Hi there, Zanne–
    Have been wondering about how you might be spending the summer, but now I know–You’ve been up in your attic! It sounds like you’ve done a really good job with your “sifting, sorting and pitching.” All the way down the Eastern seaboard, I swear I can hear your sigh of relief! Congrats on a job well done and another helpful post! Hugs, Terri

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    • Oh Terri, it’s so great to hear from you! I’m laughing out loud at your ability to hear my sigh of relief. Sounds like an understanding born of having walked in these shoes!! 😂

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  5. Hi Zanne,

    Congrats….aren’t we all packrats of a sort? Sort of nesting instincts,gone viral due to so much being offered…..add that to trends inventions,must haves…..and woods! Rubbermaid came up with boxes….lol..
    Kudos….helping others in the bargain,and we actually walk with a spring in our step….another advantage….lol.
    You are inspiring me to attack another go-around..😉

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