The joy of purging

The desk. 7 years ago.

Clutter makes me claustrophobic. I get anxious and moody and want to throw everything out. I didn’t grow up in a home where we had knick knacks and collectibles all over the place. Sure, we had a few, but they were always well-placed. And, moving 5 times over the past 5 years has really taught me how to live with less and less…’stuff.’

Each time we moved, I would do a MAJOR purge — donating whatever we no longer wanted (clothes, small pieces of furniture, baby gear, etc.) or tossing what I deemed to be in too poor condition that it would be insulting to donate. I choose to donate for the obvious reason of paying it forward and helping others — but also because garage sales are a lot of work and I absolutely cannot haggle in person over something I want to get rid of in the first place.

The desk today. Plus a child. Yes, that’s the same dog!

I find purging to be extremely cathartic. It allows me to really see what I have, and what I don’t need. It’s like starting over with a clean slate. I regularly do this with clothes and accessories — if I haven’t worn something in the last 6 months, I either sell (on Poshmark — haggling online is much easier) or donate. This was especially therapeutic to do after becoming a mom, since my wardrobe changed, and I suddenly wasn’t wearing statement necklaces anymore. Is anyone?

Anyway, today — as I started preparing and packing for our next move, I went down my list of what we wouldn’t need and what was on its last leg. I decided to say goodbye to a desk I used to write at, but had become a sort of console table in our bedroom, holding books and a fake succulent. I had painted this desk from a horrid red/gold bird and forest design to a blue-gray and I should have added a protective coat on the top because there are some stains and water marks from I don’t even know what. So, while it’s fixable — I just feel like it’s time to give her a new home.

I exclusively donate to our Veterans, so I know she’ll be in good hands.