for most posts on the 40 bags in 40 days challenge, click here
for a free printable gameplan for your 40 days, click here
This post has been a long time coming.
It seems like everyone is talking about stuff (here, here, and here). Well I like to jump on bandwagons! 😉
I love stuff. But I hate what it’s doing to our home. We have too much stuff.
I hold back from taking pictures of my kids because there is stuff in the way.
I put projects on hold because of stuff.
I’m too busy buying stuff I don’t need, when I should allocate those funds into much needed renovation (like my ugly bathroom).
Holding onto stuff can be good, case in point our shutters, but where do you draw the line? 
(I think a basement full of decorating crap “on rotation” is past that line)
We don’t need all this stuff. I only want to keep what we need and what matters to us. No more buying stupid decor items because they were on sale and fill a spot.
I don’t like this painting, but it was only $5. Why do I have it?!
Yes these little things are cute, but do I need them?
I’m so concerned with reusing, that I’m having a hard time letting go.
(Upcycled VHS Tape Wreath)
Do we really need all of this stuff?!?!
No. We don’t.
The cute birdcage that was $1. The bins that keep everything oh-so-organized. Those kids’ books I got for a STEAL at 10 cents. Ten pairs of maternity jeans. The lamp on sale at Target. The light fixture for FREE from the ReStore. The brand-new frames from Target at Goodwill for a steal. The stockpile from the Dollar Store for those “one day I will do ____” crafts. The Pottery Barn rug from a garage sale that doesn’t match any room in my house but was only $10. But MOOOOOM! it was from POTTERY BAAAAARN!
Raaaaaaar!
(source)
We don’t need it.
I’m getting better, I’m letting go. I took the plunge and sold this bookshelf and the inevitable clutter surrounding it.
and although I am happy with the results (and my 40 bucks), I still have a looooong way to go.
(Sticks in a vase? Really? Why do I need stupid sticks in my house?)
Sarah at Clover Lane (the first blog I started reading regularly) did something called “40 Bags in 40 Days” for Lent and as if she didn’t have enough bags last year, she’s doing it again this year.
Here are all of her posts regarding the challenge, here is where she got the idea.
I think she sums it up best when she says (in reference to decor):
Use what you love, purge what you don't!
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I want my home to be warm and loving, full of purpose and meaning. I don’t need things that I don’t love. I don’t want to be consumed and burdened with stuff. I’m making a commitment and instead of reaping the benefits of my favorite stores, I’ll be having a garage sale, donating, and purging.
Does this mean I will stop thrifting? No. The kids need clothes, I don’t like to buy new, and it’s a fun hobby. But I’m going to do so with some HEAVY editing…
Less garage sailing, less accumulating, more living.
I’ll be starting next week (Ash Wednesday!), posting about progress weekly, and even made a fancy button for the sidebar.
I’d love to have you join me! I’ll need that encouragement. I’ll even make a fancy linky party if you need the motivation too. Please join me?? I promise, we really don’t need all that crap. 😉