Another week passes pretty much the same as the last. Not much changes in my daily routine. I don’t go out much due to the increase in
Covid. I putter around the house a
lot. Do you ever putter? You know, where you spend an hour or more
doing an assortment of little things that need doing but individually seem
inconsequential. When I putter around
the house, I am often amazed at how quickly the time passes but yet how little
I seem to have accomplished.
I am also a great procrastinator. I think about doing things but often put them off for another day. Well, this week I finally did one of those things I’ve been putting off. I made an appointment with a new doctor. My previous doctor retired last August. There was a doctor left in his practice I could use when needed but I didn’t want to stay with that one. It is hard to change doctors when you’ve been seeing the same one for over 40 years! That’s a long time. So, I have an appointment with the new guy in a little over a week and I’ll see how it goes. I do feel good that one thing is off my to do list. Now maybe I can attempt something else I’ve been putting off.
You know how it seems to be a “thing” to declutter and reduce your belongings? I really need to do that. Not because it seems to be a fad now but because I have too much stuff. Eventually I think we all realize that we are not going to live forever and we are likely going to have a lot of belongings left when we go. If you are like me you may have been through that scenario with your parents and you know how hard and emotional it can be. I don’t want to make things difficult for my children when I go. I have put this job off because it is a big one. We’ve lived in this house for 44 years and during that time we have also inherited items from my family and Tom’s family. I’m hoping, a little at a time, I can get this started and maybe by writing about it here in my blog I will actually keep up with it. Wish me luck and if anyone has hints that would help, I’m all ears!
Take care and have a good weekend!
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| Sophie Napping |
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| Zeus napping under his favorite worn out cat quilt |
A few of us have done the downsizing fur the sake of our possible survivors. I did a Great Winnowing last January, and posted about it, with pictures. Readers were very helpful and encouraging. So why not just start, blog about it, and see how it goes?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the suggestion. I may occasionally blog about it just to try and keep me on task! Thanks for telling me about your downsizing. I'll go back in your blog and check it out.
DeleteUnder no circumstances should you give Sophia away.
ReplyDeleteI assure you I would never part with Sophie or Zeus!
DeleteI really want to declutter too! I'm such a collectorholic though it seems really overwhelming. I will follow your progress with real interest. x
ReplyDeleteHi, welcome to my blog! Just thinking about downsizing is overwhelming isn't it! I will warn you my progress may be slow. I plan on doing a small amount at a time so I don't get too overwhelmed. I don't mind if it takes a long time as long as I make steady progress. I've not seen your blog before - I'll come over and visit. ; )
DeleteI've downsized three times, but it's amazing how much still collects because I "need" it.
ReplyDeleteI think I understand that a little too well! I have a lot of sewing supplies that I can not get rid of because I still use them. Plus, when you stay home all the time you do "need" things. ; )
DeleteI hear ya on this one. I've been trying to get rid of trash for years, When I look back I can't believe how much stuff I had. It still seems like I have a lot to get rid of. I'm not the pack rat though.
ReplyDeleteIt does collect up over the years doesn't it? I'm not really a pack rat but in recent years my husband has been leaning in that direction. I see a lot of challenges ahead!
DeleteI procrastinate, too...and I absolutely know how to putter.
ReplyDeleteDone a little downsizing here and there but I am due for a bigger one this summer--the garage! ;)
Downsizing a garage sounds challenging. For that matter our basement will be a challenge for me but that will come later. Good luck when you do the garage!
DeleteCute pictures of Zeus. I especially like the second one. Psychologically the urge to declutter is an interesting one. We gather so many things around us and it is as if we need that sense of cluttering - like outward extensions of our inner selves. Once every two or three months I feel the need to tidy up and cast out stuff and when I do that I must admit that I feel pleased with myself but the feeling soon retreats and I return to my lethargy re. housekeeping.
ReplyDeleteZeus is a very photogenic cat and will often pose for the camera. It is interesting when you look at the many different psychological sides to holding on to too many things. I have the most problems with personal items that were passed down to me from loved ones. You are doing good if you declutter every two or three months.
DeleteWhile I have not all that much stuff, what is in regular need of sorting and clearing out is my wardrobe - I have far too many clothes! 2020 was an exceptional year for me (as for most people, I guess) in that I hardly bought any clothes except for an occasional pair of tights. There simply was no need for all the business outfits, what with me working from home all the time now, or dressing up for parties or a night out dancing with my girl friends. The funny thing is, when I sort out even a full bag of clothes to go to the Red Cross, my wardrobe does not look any emptier!
ReplyDeleteI think 2020 must have been a difficult year for clothing stores as few people have bought many clothes. I understand how you can sort out your clothes and still have a full closet. I have the same problem here plus many places here are not taking clothing donations at the moment. I think so many people have sorted their closets during the pandemic that the places we can donate to have too many to handle.
DeleteOh! I'm a procrastinator! I was going to put off saying that until tomorrow, but I had waited long enough...so there you are! :)
ReplyDeleteI did have intentions of doing a few things today...a few more than what I've done...but those I've not yet done but only thought about doing can wait until tomorrow...or the next day...or....
Take care you two! :)
Lee you sound just like me! Everyday I have a list of things I want to do but I'm lucky if I get half of them done. We have good intentions at least don't we!
DeleteGood luck with the new doctor--hope he is a good fit. I've gone to mine for 20 years; told her she can't retired until I'm gone. :) Luckily, she's about 20 years younger than me, so hopeful that will work out.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary. It's hard to change after seeing one for so long. I'm glad to hear you have a doctor that won't be retiring soon. It does make a difference when we get to know our doctors well doesn't it.
DeleteI think about downsizing all the time and sometimes I do it.
ReplyDeleteGood luck in finding a good doctor. Like you, I have been going to mine for 40 years but he is 84 years old. I might have to start looking soon. Maybe tomorrow.
Thank you, and good luck with your doctor. Our doctor was in his 70's and we were sure sorry to see him retire. Tom has seen the doctor I will be going to and likes him so that is good. I saw a picture of him and he looks younger than my mid-40 year old kids. I know that can be good but geez, what a change!
DeleteMy stuff seems to multiply and I really needed to clear it out a bit. Lots of things I no longer loved or used have now been donated hopefully to someone who will love and use what they choose.
ReplyDeleteI putter a great deal.
God bless.
I feel the same about wanting items I no longer need to be useful for others. I can't throw away anything that is still useful. I hope all is well with you, take care!
DeleteBest of luck with the new doctor! Have fun decluttering...I have some to do as I spring clean...but not just yet...as spring seems far off. I need to clean out all the bathroom drawers and organize them one of these days:)
ReplyDeleteThis decluttering will be an ongoing project for a long time! You always do such a good job staying on top of things. You inspire me Connie!
ReplyDeleteI hope you like the new dr. We go to a nurse practitioner that has been so good to us. She knows us. But I am not crazy about the dr. there.
ReplyDeleteI have been trying to reduce the load here for a long time. The sad thing is knowing how much I have gotten rid of and yet there is so much that no one would ever guess.
And now there is Roger/ his stuff that he will never use again. He has given quite a bit to a buddy, but I need to make another box of stuff up for him.
And I have a plastic tote down in the basement that has several books that are treasures to me, but no one I know would ever want them. They are by John Fox, Jr. and Harold Bell Wright. I bet I don't know anyone outside the family that have ever heard of them.
So I will be watching to see if I can get any new ideas from how you proceed.
My decluttering will be a long, slow process. If I do too much at once I get burned out and quit so I am going to just do a little at a time but do something every week. I hope I'll stay with it that way. I have a problem with Tom's things because since he retired he has become something of a packrat.
DeleteI understand having things that are precious to you that no one is interested in having passed to them. I have family items that mean a lot to me but my kids are not interested in them.
Didn't Harold Bell Wright write Shephard of the Hills? I know that book - my Mother had a very old copy of it. It was one of her favorite books. When I was young we went to the place in southern Missouri where the original cabin stood. That area is now part of all the Branson tourist attractions.
You're right that insurmountable tasks are best tackled a bit at a time. I find that even just working out what's needed, without actually intending to do it immediately - e.g. finding the new doctors phone number and thinking about what to say when you phone - makes it so much easier I often then do it the following day.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's easier after a little preparation. I'm at the age now where new doctors are much younger than me and that just seems weird!
DeleteGood luck with getting rid of stuff and the new doctor. My doctor retired as well and I meet the new one next week as well. Hope it goes OK because I really don't like looking for a new person.
ReplyDeleteI hope you like your new doctor. It really is hard changing, isn't it. I hope you and the family are all well, take care!
DeleteI do lots of puttering now that I spend so much time at home. I have spent the last couple of years painstakingly gifting or donating sentimental items as we continue to downsize. Little jobs, like polishing silver, never seem to get done!!! I think I have decluttered but now while packing to move, it does not seem like it!
ReplyDeleteI understand what you say about getting things done. I really need to declutter and when it comes to sentimental items that is really difficult! Good luck with the moving preparations!
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