This weekend we were kid-free for four whole days. We took a couple of naps mid-day and even slept in until 9 a.m. It was magical. But our main goal was to use our time to clean out the house. With a little one on the way just next month, we knew that we needed to get things done, and get things done we did. Purging and then purging some more is exactly what we needed to truly get us ready for our next big blessing.
Too Much Stuff
I remember being in my 20s watching Oprah and always heeding her advice. There was an episode once when she talked about clutter and how it correlates to how much baggage you carry around emotionally. I think that assessment is completely true.
You see, I’m the queen of hoarding every little thing. I keep receipts, ticket stubs, old pens, every shirt since high school, all my old work clothes, napkins with writing, birthday cards, any stuffed animal given to me by some random person, the first “fill in the blank” that Charlotte used…you get the picture. I had to stop. There are ways to keep these memories alive, and it doesn’t mean that I need them to live in my closets.
I said some “aww”s when going through things, reminisced on some memories, and then threw away anything that no longer served a purpose and donated every piece of clothing that I no longer needed. So freeing!
When you hoard things like I did, you accumulate too much stuff, and it weighs you down. But I’m saying so long to all clutter. I was on a mission to clear out all the junk, and we got a huge chunk of it done. It’s a process that will have to continue, because there was just no way that it was all going to be done in a long weekend, but it’s definitely a cleaning out process that I want to continue.
Out with the Old, In With the New
In preparation of our second baby, we also took down all of our old baby things from the attic and cleared out all the things that we wouldn’t be needing. I’ll be completely honest: it was an emotional process for me.
First, we went through all of Charlotte’s first year of baby clothes. I had saved them in hopes of having another baby girl, but we’re having a boy. No need to keep three (maybe four) huge bins of girl clothes. (I did keep her first Christmas dress, Halloween costumes, Baptism outfit, and her Coming Home outfit though.) I was so sad to part with all of it, but I had to let it go to make room for more. More baby boy things. And that’s when it hit me. I’m having a baby. A baby boy. A big blessing who I can’t wait to meet!
For almost my entire pregnancy, I’ve been going through the motions of having another baby pretty nonchalantly. We’ve been through a lot this year (just like most years of our marriage), but this one has been especially difficult. Excitement about another huge life change just wasn’t there. Of course, we are completely thrilled and thankful to be expecting, but if I’m being completely honest, the stress was certainly outweighing the good. But everything changed this weekend, and now I’m more excited than ever.
It took clearing out the old to truly be excited about the new.
Purging All the Things
I needed to clear out all the junk (both figuratively and literally) so I could replace it with all the good. The weight of holding on to old memories and the fear of what will replace it is some heavy stuff. Whatever is weighing you down, let it go. Quit letting it weigh you down. Purging is good for the soul, people. It allows you to make room for all things new. Who knew that getting rid of clutter could be so liberating? I’m now ready to fill up my heart again with nothing but good, and I am especially ready to meet my little boy.
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. (Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV)
When you allow yourself to be freed of what’s been weighing you down, you come to a point of clarity. And clarity is always good for the soul. Getting rid of the junk is a process, but it’s a process you won’t regret.
Be blessed, friend!
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I love purging. Every few months I go through our house and throw away things. It’s amazing how much we accumulate so quickly without even realizing.
Right? And I’ve been accumulating for YEARS. This was the first major purge I’ve done, and it was so liberating. :)
I agree! It’s refreshing both practically and spiritually. Visiting from turn it up tuesday :)
Yay! To purging! It really can be fun, and emotional, and freeing all at once. Kind of like motherhood in a way, no?
Anyway, I’m glad you’re feeling excited and more open to the good! I’m sure it will serve you well as your pregnancy continues! :)
So true! I love purging and you are right! It’s like a huge weight is lifted and dealing with the physical baggage really can reflect the emotional. After losing some family members, I was left with way too much memorabilia. And while I wanted to keep every little thing to keep those people alive, my home just cannot accommodate that level of hoarding. Now, I have all the important things and I can find them easily to relive those memories. :)
I LOVE purging! We do it multiple times a year. It has a purifying feeling!