My Minimal Hoarding Life - Minimalism Monday - February 10th.

Time to get back to Minimalism Mondays. When we take time to write down what we did accomplish, or plan to accomplish, seems we got the tasks done.

Accomplished :

For about a month I have been slowly going through things and getting rid of most of it. The left behind hoard. Tony kept things and I don`t understand why, now I am dealing with the hoard after his death, no its not like the t.v. show hoarding where its gross and rotten, its just stuff.

Truck load after truck load went to the dump, trash cans filled weekly, and now, finally, I can see the end is near.

I cleaned out the second of three closets this pasted weekend, 90% went out the door and into the car as donations and 10% went in the trash. Yeah, an empty closet.

And More :

As for my own things, I am also gathering and removing what I no longer need. Big clothes are packed and ready to be given away. I do have a couple tubs to clean out, I am sure most of those clothes will go too. Donations. Why keep the clothes that are 2 sizes to big, I do not plan to gain those 20 pounds back.

The other stuff I am keeping is being organized, by category, so I know what I have and what I don`t, that is why hoarding begins anyways, you cannot find something you have and you buy another and the cycle starts.

In my opinion organizing what you keep is the most important part.

This is the plan to get my home back to minimal.

Plan :

Now... this shed I have put off for way to long, I went in last week and I know I will back the truck up to the door because most of it has ruined, in my eyesight, and that is what happens to a hoard. It rots. Sooner than later this will be done. I think the reason I have put it off is because I know there is nothing in there that matters, for the most part.

By Andria Perry

Photo By Andria Perry - Pixabay

My Minimal Hoarding Life - 2020 Resolution - January Check In

I make four resolutions, or goals, to accomplish each year. Some years I make it with all of them, some years I don`t. Usually two are easy and two are hard.

I make a word, or phrase, of how I plan to be for the year and this year I have chosen "Thrive" because this is the first year of the next half of my life, a new beginning and a new me.

Here are my 2020 resolutions :

1 - Publish A Book

Just when I was not looking another book came along. Not written but hmm, what do I call it? Rough draft. But that is not the best part, its a real life experience and I had fun, that is a win win. Not published and far from it.

I did not work on any of the other books either and I have good reason I will explain at the end.

100% Having the best time Ever!

2 - Make New Friends

When I made this a resolution I was thinking, "Oh Man! this will be like starting a new school and its not school and I am over 50."

I have made so many new friends this month, with one being a Godsend, when I prayed for help God showed up and gave me that help. With each passing day another layer of friendship is shown, and that kind of loyalty is priceless. A connection made that won`t be broken, ever, I think I inspire him as much as he amazed me.

Each day I met new people, some stay some don`t, but I am taking time to slow down and talk, make a connection.

I have also made the bond of a few of the older friendship stronger.

As for my internet friends, some has fizzled out while others are as strong as ever.

100% Doing

3 - New Job/Career

Oh yeah, this one was on my list several years ago and I did not change, but it was not time, I did add on more jobs/work, actually so much I should be dead from exhaustion. However, I think that part of the workforce had to be to made to make me as strong as I am now.

Yes, I am making this happen. Its so slow and its so fast!

The past still has a cord or two attached and I am working on severing those, its something that can`t be done fast but I see a ending. That light at the end of the tunnel.

I have taken a new part time job, I like it, although I won`t get rich its fun, it challenges me and if anyone knows me they know I am up for the new adventure. 

100% Doing

4 - Take A Vacation

Ten years. Yes that is the last time I went on a "just for me vacation." I went to Charleston, South Carolina in the winter and I loved it, I can just imagine how much I would love the place in the warmer months.

There are many places I would like to see but I need to find that one sweet spot, just for me. 

100% On my mind

Being me I was full speed ahead and then that little curve ball life throws came. Instead of concentrating on the future, and I was all in, I was pulled back to the past. I tried to hang onto both and it was wearing me down mentally and physically. 

I wanted to stay and continue, I wanted to forget and move on. This one new friend, a few words was what I needed, He said "You will make it, you have passion." I stopped the struggle of living in both worlds, deal with the old world because it was no longer me and a hand shake guaranteed the future.

I had to deal with the past first no doubt in my mind now, I put the future on hold for a couple weeks although the pull was so strong to move forward and not look back.

I dealt with Grief first, I knew it was there but not as strong as it was. Honor the dead. Cuss the dead. Forgive the dead. Move On. Actually an internet friend helped me with this one.

Next was a chapter of life closed, 20 long years long. When this happened I felt the elephant that was sitting on me leave, 20 years of ... I can`t find a word for it. Now, I fix the damage done and go from there.

I have to say January of 2020 has been a wold ride and I hope ALL of 2020 is this exciting.

By Andria Perry

Photo by Andria Perry

My Minimal Hoarding Life - Minimalism Monday- Let The Organizing Begin!

Most of is can confess that the year of 2019 was not all that great, so let`s start 2020 with a good positive outlook. 

Seems we all have stuff, a lot of stuff, that`s not a bad thing, sometimes. With proper organizing things fit perfectly into your home, you use it and you can still have a clean house. 

It is mostly how to store your things. I have learned the hard way about organizing, when I need something I cannot find it, so I buy another and then the hoarding begins.

Even for the seed packs I have for the Spring garden, keep those in a small tub to themselves, store in the pantry, I mean it food right?

I am discovering I am an artist so I have a "sweater" size tub for all my paints and the brushes and I keep those beside with canvas in the office closet. I know where all of it is when I am ready.

This year I am not renewing any magazines, I have  enough of the vegetarian times. I had bought a couple of the cardboard magazine holders from Target, those are now on the book shelf for  the quick find.

Another place is the freezer, yes we all are guilty of it one time or another, losing food in the mess. Straighten out the freezer, knowing what you have not only saves you money but helps not to be a food hoarder that allows so much to expire and be wasted.

There we got started with the "Use it or get rid of it beginning of 2020."

By Andria Perry

Photos by Andria Perry and Pixabay.

My Minimal Hoarding Life - 2020 Resolutions!

I make four resolutions, or goals, to accomplish each year. Some years I make it with all of them, some years I don`t. Usually two are easy and two are hard.

I make a word, or phrase, of how I plan to be for the year and this year I have chosen " Thrive" because this is the first year of the next half of my life, a new beginning and a new me.

Here are my 2020 resolutions :

1 - Publish A Book

I have several books written, some finished and some almost, a couple that will still take some time. This year I want to get at least one of those books published.

2 - Make New Friends

Since this is the second half of life and most of my old friends are no longer alive, its time for new friends with a fresh, new look at life. People who have the same interest as I do now. More in tune with nature and God. 

3 - New Job/Career

Its that time again, about every 10 to 20 years, time for a change because I have grown and changed.

4 - Take A Vacation

Not just any vacation but a serious, have fun and let loose vacation.

Goal Of The Month

This year I will also do something different and add a monthly goal of what I want to accomplish for the month besides the yearly resolutions. For January I want to finish organizing and removing items that are not needed or used anymore.

Now lets get to work! Happy New Year!

Do you make any resolutions or goals for the new year?

By Andria Perry

Photo by Pixabay

My Minimal Hoarding Life - 2019 Resolution End Of Year Check In

Wow! A month already gone but that is life, we have to make the best of the time we have because before you know it, time has slipped passed us. Don`t put off what we can do today till tomorrow.

I make four resolutions, or goals, to accomplish each year. Some years I make it with all of them, some years I do not. Usually two are easy and two are hard.

I make a word, or phrase, of how I plan to be for the year and this year I have chosen " Dream it, Do It." I chose this because I am making my dreams come true a little at a time, the time to get them finished is now, year 2019!

Here are my 2019 resolutions :

1 - Reduce Spending By Half

For December that is a yes, While I did spend money the things I bought are used to make money for Sunshine`s. A 100% accomplishment

As for the year I have to say that I did well, Compared to other years I did great. But there is still room to improve, for the year I will say I got this one 75% of the time. That`s not to bad.

2 - Reduce Stuff By Half

Yes, yes and yes! this month I got it done! I cleaned out the yard, here on the homestead and at the old home place. So its a 100% accomplishment!

For the year, YES! a 100% accomplishment! I cleaned out the old home place and I got this house back under control.

3 - Set Up Sunshine`s Homestead Creations Store

Nope I did not make it :( 

However, I have learned so much more this year and I have so much more stock ready for when it does get set up.

100% failed.

I do still have the online store, so check it out at : Sunshine`s homestead Creations

4 -  Cut Out Sweets - Kick diabetes ass!

To begin with, at least the first 6 months I did nothing to lower my blood sugar except walking. But that was not good enough.

The heard head me listened to the doctor and counted calories, I seen what I was eating and how many calories was keeping me down.

I have to say that in December my morning blood sugar has been within or close to normal. I am still taking the pills but I think I can get off those in 2020. 

I have lost 15 pounds and I am walking twice as much.

I will give this a 75% for the month if December and the year because I can do better.

So, that is how I did with my 2019 resolutions, how are you doing with yours? Did you accomplish any?

By Andria Perry

Photos By Pixabay

My Minimal Hoarding Life - Its That Time Of The Year

No I am not talking about Christmas time, although it is that time of the year, but clean up and clean out time of the year.

While so many people are out enjoying shopping I am requesting no gifts at all, however, I will accept labor as a gift but that is a huge doubt of anyone offering their time and effort as a gift. The old saying comes around to me"Nothing is free." 

Anyways, many of you will be getting more stuff, so now is a good time to clean out the hoard. Donate what you can and trash can the rest.

Last week I worked at the old home place, I loaded the truck with carpets, large rugs and kitchen cabinets that were no good and took it to the dump.

This past weekend I took a day and did a clean up but not so much with things but with overgrown trees and bushes. I spent several hours cutting down trees with the electric saw and pulling them down to the empty lot to rot. I raked leaves and piled those into the flower beds. Making the place look nicer.

I filled the trash can with old buckets that the bottoms had rusted out and things that could not be recycled.

Monday I got the front door scrubbed down and a few branches picked up the wind blew down.

Back at home, I went through several drawer and donated all the stuff, it was Tony`s clothing. I have intentions of giving his best clothing to family members, the donations were stuff I knew no one could wear because it was not their size.

Since Tony had been sick for a long time he had slowly gotten rid of his things so I would not be overwhelmed with his stuff, I do thank God for that. Mostly all of his things are good and can be used.

I went through one of the "flower" tubs and I had enough flowers to cover the three graves I will decorate for Christmas. I will no longer buy and hoard any graveyard flowers. This tub will be empty, YAY!

Slowly but surely getting that one resolution accomplished, reduce things by half. 

How about you? Do you do a good clean out this time of the year?

By Andria Perry

Photo by Andria Perry