February 14, 2021: Happy Valentine’s Day! To me this day is more about love in all its incarnations than just romantic love. A day to indulge and celebrate love. And this decluttering project is about love of self, love of life and love of feeling good. Love of waking up to smiles and sunlight everyday!
Marinading in the joy, I begin with decluttering for those I take care of … shears in hand, I trim my plants. Next comes steaming the sticky pollen* filled floor, so the puddytat will have safe paws. Then, for me directly… off to find 13 more items and complete today’s challenge!
After dizzying about, I discovered 4 magazines and 1 newspaper which hadn’t been read! Since it was a “holiday”, I chilled out and enjoyed them before placing them in the recycle bin ~ I am so happy to read this hotel I hope to stay in someday still exists! It has a bathtub, next to a fireplace with a window overlooking the California Coast! Can you truly think of anything more luxurious!?!?!? Best thing about decluttering is the treasures which are excavated!!!
Next my eyes spotted some questionable batteries… (is there such a thing as a flinter shelf? If not, there should be…. LOL!) so tested them ~ some passed, some didn’t and the later are off to the ewaste at the local hardware store.
My flinter shelf also produced a cool key ring… I’ve always had a hard time letting go of this one… I like it and don’t all at the same time and my opinion changes by the breath… however, the time must be ripe because I now feel like it’s a gift I need to give… that’s another wonderful part of letting go… other people can become very happy receiving and one can be very happy spreading joy.
Flinter shelf abounds! I also found a stamp I had pulled off an envelope to donate to a charity which funds itself through the sales of used stamps. Time to add it to the others and send them off!
Of course, bits of trash/recycle show up, but so do items/info to pass on! Flyers and brochures for a variety of local women’s businesses obtained from an event held by the local newspaper. I passed these on to my Housemates who are keen to shop local. Yippee! Lovin’ the good vibes!
Unfortunately, the flip side of the search yielded 2 missed opportunities! 2 valuable coupons/vouchers. A definite downside to clutter and a bothersome reminder to stay decluttered. 40% off would come in very handy as I’ve been saving for a new frame as mine fell to the floor… and to pieces! (still can’t let go of the broken parts ~ LOL! Hmmm… roll eyes and blush here… ) Also, I created a book for a fav aunt of a weekend trip we took together a few years ago… been saving my pennies ever since to pay for the printing ~ FREE would have come in VERY handy! Alas…. another lesson in staying decluttered… missed opportunity, definitely the worst part of the mess!!!
Although, finding things unwell which you had no idea about, is no picnic either! … but can have a happy ending! The little chocolate box held memories of a wonderful friend’s graduation and once delicious chocolates. Sad to let it go… I had planned to put the lid in a scrapbook… unfortunately, some unseen oil started a “science experiment” inside ~ bummer…. (yet, better now than the scrapbook) so I took a photo before binning, this way it can remembered… I enjoy this compromise with clear outs … when I want the memory, but no longer want to/can care for the item (or nature has taken over LOL), I snap a photo and then give said item away. Genuinely a lovely way to have the memory, accessing it when you want, without any care taking aspects. Plus, joy can be spread and the item can be truly wanted again. I once gave my entire shot glass collection to a couple just starting one… you would’ve thought they won the lottery! And I still have my smiles… both from my photos and the memory of their smiles.
And isn’t that what Valentine’s is all about?!?! Love… sharing it in it’s many forms… even kindness to others and oneself. Creating moments which bring everlasting smiles. Here’s to many more! and with my clutter, that is a given! (LOL!) Cheers!
See you tomorrow!
*I’ve since found out since writing the above, it isn’t pollen!!! Turns out to be the results of my palm being infested with Scale! Yikes! Isn’t that just the pip?!?!?
Updated: February 16, 2021
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