Sunday 16 May 2010

Sunday sort out

Tons of paper have been shredded and burned today. My hands are rough and dry from handling it all, and I have a tartan arm and leg from sitting too close to the fire, feeding it with old documents.

Two large boxes of work papers had been hiding in the attic, unnoticed for years. I hastened to get rid of them, filled with unwanted and unhappy memories and an urgent sense of needing to cleanse my home of them.



I unearthed the Lovely Son's old school reports, but they didn't get minced or burned. I'll keep them for another time, when I feel like a good laugh (or possibly a cry).

The old mahogany tallboy (or Scotch press, depending on where you're from) has been cleared of its top layer of clutter. The tall thin top drawer holds a million small assorted objects; too easy to put off clearing them out! But I will.


The recycling bin is now full to the top. A friend took away four bags of shredded paper to put in her bin. Some have gone for compost.

The small attic hasn't been so tidy for years. Another day of sorting, thinning out and letting go should see it ready for new paint and carpet.

I feel strangely relieved. For some time I've been saying that I felt oppressed by all my belongings; now they seem more manageable and orderly. They belong to me, not I to them.

13 comments:

Rattling On said...

Well done! It's really difficult to decide what to get rid of sometimes, which is why I think I tend to keep things.

Rattling On said...

My comment just disappeared! Not that it was so thrilling, just admiration for your hard work. I also find papers tend to pile up, and suddenly you've had them five years...

Anonymous said...

Well done you, a deserved pat one the back.

Fran Hill said...

That mahogany tallboy is one amazing piece of furniture.

Von said...

Oh the dreaded tartan arm.Hope you've recoveed and are enjoying freedom.The decisions are tiring but the release is a joy!

Elizabeth Musgrave said...

Lovely furniture and hard hard task. I so know that sense of release on getting rid of things though/

Marcheline said...

Egads, that mahogany whatsis is GORGEOUS!!!

Paddy Paws said...

I can sense the relief as you shed (or was that shred?) the things that have such a disproportionate hold over you. I'm sure setting a match to those shreddings appeals to our basic instincts. Whoosh - gone!

judy in ky said...

I know it's hard work, but well worth the effort. Enjoy the lightness!

the veg artist said...

Well done. I could do with one of those people who come and de-clutter for you. I don't seem disciplined enough to do a thorough job myself unless I'm moving house, and I don't intend doing that again for a while.

Sue said...

Have a good clear out is amazingly liberating isn't it? Well done for all your hard work, I hope tea and biscuits were taken afterwards.

Lynda (Granny K) said...

Good work! 3 Gold stars for you! * * *

Sweet Virginia Breeze said...

It's hard work to declutter, but it feels so freeing to be rid of unneeded items. Congratulations on a job well done.

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