Out With The Old…
My goal for 2012 is to live more simply. To be more grateful for what we have.
We have been blessed with so much, and yet, I often find myself wanting more…not being content with what I have.
After Christmas is over, I always feel the need to purge. I want a clean, purged house. After Christmas, with kids, the house overflows with toys. Hello, overstimulation!
So, now that everything is put away, I am digging in. We have always tried to keep little M’s toy collection simple, so that she would have plenty to stimulate her imagination, but how hard is that?! We have a lot of toys. About once a month, I go through them and rotate things to keep them fresh for her. Now, with new goals in mind, I am being a little more cutthroat. I always get rid of broken things, but now I am getting rid of things that she no longer plays with, toy sets with missing pieces, and things that are too young for her.
She has her favorite toys, the ones that get played with almost every day, and those are kept where she can get to them easily, but still be easy to put away, and hidden.
I used to think that we wouldkeep all toys in the basement, but that proved to be folly, since little M wouldn’t go downstairs to get her toys by herself. It was just easier to have some on the main level, where we spend most of our time.
So now they are there. They are in baskets by her little table in the kitchen.
They are in baskets hidden under tables and a bench in the living room (yes, there are some Valentine’s decorations out…don’t judge).
And it works for us. Maybe someday they will be in the basement, but for now it works. And I am happy with it because the toys aren’t sitting out, and the living room looks tidy.
I am purging in other areas, as well. Those of you who know me know that I already purge fairly well. Now, in the spirit of simplifying, I am pairing down even more. Everything we don’t use, no matter how much we love it, is getting a new home. How exciting! I know that throwing things away isn’t for everyone…but it is totally my thing. I love the feeling of simplifying, it makes me feel lighter, and invigorated.
My goal is to do this once a month…this will be my year of simplicity!
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I have a wonderful husband and four amazing and precious children who were born in China. More about me...
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Hey, I am not judging! I have a mantle and tree up for Valentine's day already. Last year after the season, I found such lovely things. I couldn't wait to put them up.Thanks so much for sharing the lovely photos of your little ladybug. I look forward to seeing new posts featuring that beautiful smile!Have a great week…Cindy
I love purging, too! I just finished completely rearranging and purging Fei's playroom. When we went to China, the plan was to keep all her toys in the one toy box in our sunroom and, when she was old enough, expand a play area in our basement rec room. Well, I moved out the last of our sunroom furniture today to the basement, to make room for her toys (easels, play kitchen, doll paraphernalia. Ahh! Now I tell myself I'll just keep it very neat…. Love your baskets!
This post makes me want to purge and organize now! Maybe someday soon! By the way, love the pictures in the darth vader hat-hilarious! She certainly looks adorable in it! 🙂
I too am a purger and have started my new year \”cleansing ritual\”. It's so freeing!