I've decided to join Sarah Jane over at Beautiful Dawn for a little house purge this lent. The idea is to rid your house of 40 bags of stuff- one for each day of lent. I was a little nervous about it at first- thinking that it's a lot of stuff to get rid of- but after dividing the house it does seem more manageable, and I'm starting with smaller bags- the plan was to use grocery bags- but they were overflowing after I did the first area this morning- the front hall shoe cupboard. so it'll be more like some days a big bag and some days small, most days in between I think.
I really like this idea for lent- I'm not really religious, I just don't feel at home in organized religion, though I was raised catholic, and the Easter season is one that I really miss. I love the idea of starting fresh in the spring- of preparing yourself for this re-birth with a period of sacrifice or with drawl or active change. I think that purging the house of excess stuff is a great way to make space for new things- a simpler life- more focused on what is essential, or what you really want.
I'm more and more attracted to the idea of living simply, though it seems hard to do as both K and I have the 'collector gene'. But slowly I'm coming around to the idea that you don't need a lot of stuff, and that living simply doesn't mean you have to get rid of everything, it could just be that you focus your attention on things that have meaning for you, that you don't own anything 'just because'. Plus it seems like a great way to get the spring cleaning done, and there's nothing wrong with that.
I'm so glad you're joining me! I'm off to start. The front closet hold things I haven't seen in a while!:)
ReplyDeleteCommendable. I've decided to clean personal house instead. I will tidy my own corners, and take care of my wardrobe, which, with three little girls, has turned into a complete afterthought. (easier to buy clothes for them than for me) I need time for me now, and that includes not fading into the background of my kids' lives. I want to be a good example, and so, however self-centred this sounds, I will undertake to be a better woman for my girls and my husband. More in control of myself. This will include cleaning old make up, old/dangerous hair brushes or elastics, holey underwear...ill-fitting bras...the works. Hair style, and purses - things I've not thought about in years - these things will be attended to this season. And the internal, I have some good supportive reads on the shelf, and reminders in my journals of who I am.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's selfish to look after yourself- Your kids are copying every little thing you do, so it's important to show them what it means to look after themselves, and that you can look after yourself without losing sight of thier needs too- that balance-that's the tough thing.
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