I just finished a monumental task. I got rid of stuff accumulated over a lifetime. That is with my first husband’s multiple collections and my inability to throw away, give away or let go of books and training materials. My first husband moved to Heaven 5 years ago. It was a dark time and I became paralyzed. It was like I could not focus on one thing.

At one point I had a massive Estate Sale so I could keep paying my mortgage. I thought I would have to sell the house so I released many ‘treasures.’ Thankfully, God provided in surprising and amazing ways for the payments to continue. So I settled back into a comfort zone of clutter and inactivity. In time, the house was paid off.

I met a wonderful, Godly man and we got married. I moved out of my house to live with him. That’s when the excuses really began. I stalled for weeks and months. I would walk into the rooms of my old home and start crying. I was paralyzed. It really is all a matter of perspective. My conversations about the issue were dismal and pathetic. I felt like a victim who could not move forward. And still, no one stepped up to rescue me because I was the only one who could make the decisions.

One morning I woke up with a changed attitude. I could do this. I could start small. No more excuses. I started timing myself in 20 minute segments and stayed in one room until it was finished. I delegated the picture closet to one daughter who consolidated the photos they wanted to keep so I can hire to have them scanned. I eliminated excuses and moved forward.

It is finally done and I now wonder why it was so hard. Things can take on special meaning when they really should not. I realized that I don’t need the stuff to retain my memories. I have no regrets.

It felt so good to walk through the clean and empty house yesterday. I want to live that way.

STOP

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