My Resolution for the New Year

On the theory that I am more likely to keep it if I announce it, here is my Resolution for 2020:

I will look for ways to de-clutter my life.  I will try to give away that which will give others joy.

I'm not going all Marie Kondo on my life, and there is one obvious reason why.  The woman can manage to keep her book collection to "30 at any one time".  That's a non-starter for me.

What I can manage to accomplish, I think, is getting rid of that which is no longer useful, necessary, important, applicable, attractive, interesting, or likely to be touched again in my lifetime.  Having all those descriptors helps when do I want this any more? is too big a question to answer.

Some items are easy.  Those jeans haven't gotten past my hips in years; what makes me think that any amount of diet and exercise will make it happen in the future?  Gravity is not letting go of my abdomen any faster now than it was when last I wore them.  I weigh about the same as I did when I graduated from college; it's all in different places now.  It's time to admit that and move on.  There is no reason to be uncomfortable in pants that don't even look that good any more; it's hard to tuck in a shirt when you can't zip them up.

Out they went, even the fancy ones I got for a song at Buffalo Exchange on a girls' day out with Elisabeth, years and years and years ago.  I'll still have the memory.  Someone else can have the jeans.

Concert t-shirts met the same fate; the memories stayed, the garments went. So did the shorts that are too short and the socks I haven't worn since I moved to Tucson.  Being able to wear sandals for nine months of the year relegates socks to hiking, the gym, and ccccccold wintry nights on the couch.

There is no need to hold onto what will keep someone else warm, so sweatshirts that are dusty from disuse were folded on top of most of the long sleeved shirts I haven't already left in the frigid north with Little Cuter.  I'm not only concentrating on clothing; I have blankets that were swag from conferences and reunions that have been keeping my garage shelves warm and toasty since we moved here. If I haven't unrolled them in 13 years, I probably can find someone who needs it more than I do.

I took advantage of the commercial breaks during TBG's favorite weekend of professional football to drop the contents of his closet next to him on the couch.  Cubby hole by cubby hole, he mourned the departure of clothes that were too tight, not comfy, never worn, don't like.  By the time the second game was ready to begin, he was left only with that which is serviceable, appropriate, and desired.

I started this venture in the kitchen when the kids were here, offering relics as heirlooms, using their height and strength to move things around.  Now, for the most part, what I use is close at hand, what I didn't want has gone to Goodwill, and all the cabinets are clean, inside and out.  They make me smile.  TBG notices the difference; the Tupperware drawer is no longer terrifying.

I was smart to begin in a public space.  I had company while I worked and everyone shared in the after glow.  The closets are now places of joy and wonder as we wear things that had been hidden and are now revealed; these smiles are more private, but no less delightful.  I'm working on it, one section at a time, sometimes 15 minutes at a time, sometimes not til this is done. 

Even if I stop now, I'm ahead of the game.  I think I'll like this resolution.