Patricia Stoltey

Author

Throwing Stuff Away!

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How can stuff accumulate so fast?

Why do I print stuff out and never read it?

Does everything with a name, address, or email address on it really need to be shredded?

Why do I still have the records from accounts closed more than ten years ago?

Why does Katie Cat need to knock over the shredder and pull out all the paper strips before I’ve had a chance to empty it in the trash.

Why do I have files and files and boxes and boxes of stuff I never look at?

I’ll never get around to reading all the paperbacks I have around the house. Why do I keep them?

I don’t know the answers to any of those questions, but I need to figure it out. My husband and I are thinking about downsizing. It’s going to be a big job.

Maybe if I do a little bit each day. A file here, a box there. One task a day, one day at a time. Maybe in a year…

NaNoWriMo Report

Yesterday was Day Three. I reached 5,087 words, and I reached the word count goal before dinner…for a change. This week I want to get my word count done each day before lunch. Wish me luck.

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Comments

  1. So many questions that I need to answer as well. I’d like to get a shredder and start shredding. Found a box in my garage the other day that had stuff from 25 years or more ago. Do I really need all those old bank and credit card statements. I don’t think so.

    Lee
    Special report today on the “Story Sprouts” book launch in L.A.
    Lot’s of pictures in this one!
    Tossing It Out

  2. Pat, that’s very tempting. I wonder what would happen if we found a house with no closets. 😀

    I did finish yesterday’s word count, Pam, but am just getting started on today’s. Hi Ho!

  3. Here it is 11:30 and I am wondering if you have finished your words today! I always wonder where all those words come from. Someday I’ll try it and find out. I seem to accumulate stuff, too. Had a big garage sale 8 years ago. I am in a small house. Doesn’t help. Takes too much time. Great post, Pat!

  4. I know exactly what you mean! Eight years ago we went through everything before moving to our current house. We got rid of an amazing amount of “stuff.” Now, here we are eight years later and it seems we have more stuff than before. I was told the key is to move somewhere with VERY LITTLE storage space. Good luck!

  5. Jan, you’re suggestion sounds awesome. I just brought up two big trash bags to load up with things for Goodwill.

    Susan, so much stuff is right. I feel like a pack rat.

    E.J., maybe it’s because we have so many other important things to do than clean up after ourselves? Yes, I think that’s it.

  6. The only way I know to get through the big projects (like moving, unpacking, etc.) is one box at a time, Patricia.

    And I have no idea why we keep so much crap. Clutter just seems to come with time like dust. 🙂

  7. LOL, it’s like you’re speaking for me. My husband and I want to downsize within the next two years. I’m getting him to clean out some things and I’m slowly thinning out my bookshelves. So much stuff!

  8. Yay for you for both adventures! No writing months for me til I finish revisions on all five completed books! Okay – four with one half-done (a early NaNo). As for down-sizing, having lived in five different houses this year – I’m getting pretty good at it! I say nothing comes into the house that doesn’t have an equal amount going out. Not books, not clothes, not little doo-dads. And once a week take a box and whoosh through a room picking up stuff that can be re-homed! Put on some Aretha Franklin and rock your sweep!

  9. Alex, she gets away with a lot. Spoiled rotten.

    Margot, I know I’m not the only one with too much stuff. When I helped my Mom move to assisted living, I was astounded at how much “stuff” she’d managed to accumulate in her little apartment.

    Karen, NaNoWriMo was essential to get me writing again. I hope I can carry it on through the following months this time.

    Ken, that one made me laugh. I’m thinking of adding one more piece of stuff to my house (after I get rid of some other furniture)…a stationary bike. I think I’ll put it in front of the television. 😀

  12. Pat – I’m happy to hear you’re making such great NaNoWriMo progress! Nice going! And it’s interesting isn’t it how we collect and keep stuff. Maybe it gives us a sense of security; I don’t know. But people do like their stuff. And so, obviously, does Katie Cat 😉