I started with my own way over-sized wardrobe. I counted everything hanging in my spacious closet and found that I had over 150 hanging items! 150. Ridiculous, considering that on average, I wear less than half that amount on a regular basis.
I had a plethora of black clothing hanging there, taunting me. Black short sleeved shirts, black long sleeved shirts, black skirts, black pants, four pair of black boots, black purses, black, black, and more black. Who knows? I must have wanted to channel Morticia Addams, I guess.
My closet is now downsized to about 70 pieces (representing the entire color palette, not just basic black), that happily hang there with some breathing room. Much, much better, but still way too much to fit into a couple of carry-on bags when we finally fly the coop. I'll happily donate all my winter stuff when we leave for good, so that will lighten my load a lot.
Meanwhile, Randy helped out by tackling all the closets (where all outdated electronics go to die) as well as the garage. We had video cameras, laptops, and other electronic gizmos that were over 15 years old! All of it is going to the dump. I am sure he might be able to get a dollar or two for something or other in that pile, but to him, it's not worth it. There is no Craigslist here and no computer center that buys back old parts. So, out of the house it will go.
In the kitchen, we pared down our glassware,dishware, small appliances, and utensils. Did I really need three spatulas? An immersion blender that is only used once a year at most? Out! Teachers at school started to meet me at my car each morning asking what I'd brought for the teachers' lounge "giveaway table" today.
The end result of downsizing is refreshing. We really felt weighed down by all our "stuff". So, the adage of less is more really is true. Less is more clarity, more peace, more lightness.
Lori