Where Did All This Stuff Come From?

Originally posted in blog.millercathy.com

And Why Won’t it Go Away?

Like most people, I swore I would not allow clutter to take over my life. This promise has a way of popping up every time I move. So here I am again, on the verge of yet another move, wondering where the heck all this “Stuff” came from.

I remember fondly my very 1st move as a grown-up, driving from the Cleveland area to San Jose. Everything I owned in the world was packed in my AMC Hornet hatchback – hey, I know many of you have no idea what an AMC Hornet hatchback is but remember, this blog IS called A Baby Boomer’s Second Life. So, it’s a really old car, okay?! How, since that 1st move, have I acquired so much in the worldly goods department?

And what am I doing sitting here blogging instead of dealing with my worldly goods?  Unlike more recent moves, I am moving into a fully furnished house with plates and glasses and silverware and someone else’s “Stuff.” (But it’s my Mom’s “Stuff” -meaning it’s much more organized!) So I need to get rid of a LOT of my “Stuff.” But, let me tell you, things have changed. Gone are the days of placing an ad in the Pennysaver and having buyers come over to remove your “Stuff” within a few days of your ad.

Another Thing to Blame on the Economy

Who knew that this move would be a microcosm of our current economy? EVERYONE is selling and NO ONE is buying. Even efforts to give it away is proving challenging. Goodwill won’t do stairs, the Salvation Army won’t take desks (only computer desks) and 1-800-GOT JUNK wants $300-$500+ for the privilege of taking away your “Stuff.”

And as I try to be the environment-friendly consumer, visions of kerosene and a match keep popping into my head.

Why Put Off Until Tomorrow

I wouldn’t be in this mess of “Stuff’ if I didn’t already have a heavy dose of Procrastination Syndrome. You know the symptoms:

• You pull out a box and head to the kitchen to start packing
• You decide you are thirsty so you pull out a Diet Green Tea
• You don’t want to use a glass because you need to pack that so you go looking in that closet for those plastic cups you had from a barbecue three years ago
• You find a shirt you had been looking for and you try it on to see if it still fits
• You hate having it confirmed that you have gained too much weight to wear it
• You go looking for a paper bag to put clothes in to give to Goodwill
• You go back into the kitchen where you keep the paper bags
• You find the Diet Green Tea on the counter and start the process all over again

Help Is Just A Click Away

In a final gasp of Procrastination Syndrome, I get on the Internet for tips on decluttering. For $19.99 (marked down from $24.99), you, too, can learn how to declutter using the Four Boxes or Box and Banish method of decluttering. Now, if I could only find my purse for my credit card, I am sure I could get this all done before moving day!

Heavy sigh…..