The Purge Continues

I went through another ‘purge stage’ recently, trying to pare things down a bit more in prep for a future move. By no means do I subscribe to the KonMari way of thinking, although I do acknowledge that she has some pretty good ideas. Funny story/true story: I was explaining a bit about KonMari to a friend, how you touch or hold the item, decide if it brings you joy, if it doesn’t, you thank it and let it go. My friend stopped, looked at me and said, “You mean I can get rid of spouse/boyfriend?!?” I doubt that’s what Ms. Kondo had in mind…

I’ve pretty much gone through all my clothes, shoes, purses, etc by now. And the extra closet space has been nice. I tackled the shelf and floor of the front room closet and got rid of old gloves, ski caps, old table clothes. And bags of bags! I will not have to purchase any bags for shopping any time soon. I can use these bags until they wear out and then replace them with more of the same.

Then came the downstairs closet. I had already gone through the shelves some time ago and gotten rid of old games and stuff no longer needed/wanted. This time it was the floor and the craft drawers. I had gotten a couple of 3-drawer plastic containers and stacked them on top of each other for my yarns and other craft stuff. I also had a large box of yarn and a big bag of yarn on the floor. I went through all the yarn and put the larger skeins and balls in one box and the small ones and tail ends in another. I went through the drawers and consolidated some stuff and donated stuff.

Then came the biggie…from 3 different locations I dragged out 3 boxes of MAD magazines. I absolutely loved MAD magazine. Sometime after the late 70s the magazine changed, though, and I stopped getting it. It no longer appealed to me, and the work of the older writers and artists gave way to others whose work I didn’t care for. I skimmed through every magazine, remembering the highlights and keeping the favorites. I got rid of 79 magazines, leaving me with a small box of favorites.

I continue to go through books as fast as I can read them. The permanent ones are Agatha Christie and Terry Pratchett. The rest I am reading or skimming and donating. And all the while I am blowing raspberries to Marie Kondo….only 30 books, indeed!!! Blasphemy!!!