Stuff

My Grandmother was a pack rat. Made sense…she grew up in The Great Depression.  Many people that remember having nothing ended up keeping everything. So, when Grandma passed away, we had a LOT of junk to sort through. So many years upon years of stuff.  None of which was worth much at all.

There were a couple of items that were sentimental and maybe one or 2 pieces that may be worth something that I now have in my home.  I have a beautiful steamer trunk (navy blue to boot!), a really comfortable chair that I call my Grandpa Chair and a lot of kitchen gadgetry.  Some of the gadgets I yet to use ~ I have had them for at least 8 years.

I have been watching Clean House and Hoarders lately.  Makes me feel really good about my house, but it also makes me want to thin out what I DO have.  I can understand how the people feel attached to the objects.  I don’t understand how they can feel connected to every object though.  I would be heartbroken to give up the Grandpa chair, but when it comes down to it, it’s just furniture.  It’s not like if I were to sell the chair, I am selling the memories of my Grandpa away too.

On those shows, I have noticed that they “make” these hoarders/excessively disorganized people get rid of everything.  At first, I thought that was excessive too, but then I realized that their collecting is a condition/disorder and they pretty much need to make the people have a clean break so that they can see that they can still live without having the crap surrounding them.

It’s also sad because it’s obvious that these people have such low self worth and self esteem. The clutter is an outwardly expression of how they see themselves.  It’s heartbreaking.

I am contemplating relocating back to Indianapolis. I will need to pack life away and I need to now start sifting through my possessions and wondering what is worthy of the move.  The last thing I want to have happen is for people to hang on to worthless stuff just because I once owned it. Although, I really don’t know who would have that sort of need ~ I am single and my dog doesn't really have any use for anything other than a good t-r-e-a-t or a nice good belly rub.  Plus, chances are, I will outlive her anyway.

Over the course of the next few months, I will have to sort through want versus need, sentimental value versus monetary value.  I am certain that I will find the sentimental value will win out more than I anticipate, but I’ll just put Miss Niecy Nash and have her “OH!” the decision for me.