Most Important

As I have made decisions on what to take with me on this move, I've learned a lot about myself. Often I've been faced with two great choices and what goes through my mind in making my decision has revealed what it really important to me. I've also come to have a deep appreciation for the pioneers - please know if you have a keepsake that an ancestor choose to bring along when they only had such a tiny bit of space, that piece is priceless. It means a great deal. They thought long and hard and had good reasons for bringing it. 

I thought I would share some of my process for paring down our lives to a single CR-V. 

*Family Heirlooms & Keepsakes: I made a list of things that had to go - my great grandmother's hope chest, my antique child's chair, my grandpa's hooks, my journals, scrapbooks, scriptures, photo albums & family history. 

*Books - Any book that I could readily get at the library has been passed to new homes.Church manuals that I can download were donated to the church library.  I've kept a few collections (Jane Austin) and books that I LOVE and re-read frequently - books that have deeply changed me and are part of my history. I've also kept hard copies of "Preach My Gospel", the new RS book, and the FHE manual. Those books have my notes written in the margins and are part of my family history. I have also kept the newest gospel art kit (the spiral) but passed on the older, bulkier kit.

*CD/DVD - all are being downloaded into itunes and apple tv and will destroyed. 

*Decor - I've reduced all down to 1 tub. First I packed our keepsake ornaments and then nativities. Next I packed decor for each season rather than each holiday. There are a few exceptions, but for the most part, decorating for 4 seasons was easier than 12+ holidays. Our tree base broke this year so we will get a new one next year. Wreaths & lights are fairly inexpensive, so I will pick some up when the time comes.

I am taking 4-6 pictures that mean a lot to me for the walls, a mirror and some vinyl. Vinyl you say - well, we will be renting. Vinyl is a WONDERFUL cheap way to customize a rental - it looks great and peels off when you move. I have a scroll "Welcome" sign for the front door, a few quotes to go on scraps of wood or tiles when I get there or even the walls and Ryan's name for his door. 

*Paperwork - I've taken the time to REALLY go through it. I was keeping way more than I needed. All duplicates or outdated stuff has been shredded. Taxes & mortgages - 7yrs. Bank statements - 1 yr. Utility bills - 1 month. I've sorted through the memorabilia and made sure I've keep things that matter most, not every. single. scrap. of. paper. Things in binders have been temporarily moved to manila folders for the move and then I will pick up some binders & replace it. 

*Craft Supplies & UFOs (Un - Finished Objects) - I've kept a small box of most essentials. I've pitched the dried out glues, the only used once crap, the projects stuff that was stressing me out that I neeeeeeeed to do. I chose a few UFOs that I am actually excited to one day do or things that matter most to me. I let the others go, physically and emotionally. I've also decided that I am going to borrow more in the future rather than buy. I do not need all of the clutter & stress that seem to accompany crafting supplies.

*Clothes - if they fit and I love them they go. If I don't love them or they do not fit they. do. NOT. go. Period. Well, one exception - I've chosen two goal outfits (1 is one size smaller, the other 2 sizes smaller) that I am taking with me. I've also searched the internet for combo tips - you know the ones, "these 10 items can create these 35 outfits" types of things. I am using those to help make my decisions. Same idea for shoes. Things that are super cheap (ie- flip flops & ked type sneakers) are not going. 

*Towels & bedding - sheets are cheap so I am not taking those. I've invested in 3 great towels each (2 bath & 1 beach) and am having our names embroidered on them. I'm also taking flour sack dishtowels - I love them! Great size, they absorb well and dry quickly. They are all white so the bleach clean and they are perfect packing material for my china. Bedding that has meaning is going. Walmart stuff is not. 

*Unfulfilled Dreams - you know those things you keep around because one day your life is going to change. I have given away all the baby stuff. I have given away all of the homeschool stuff. It was good to, in some cases, answer someone's prayer and it felt good for those dreams to be lived out, even if it wasn't with me. Keeping too much stuff from the past can keep you from having enough space for the present. 

*Electronics - I am streamlining! As I said, itunes & apple tv, but also the computers. We are taking a laptop and and ipad, the wii and and 19" flat screen. Oh and a couple of portable hard drives. Everything that my iphone can do is NOT going, such as an alarm clock, camera, flashlight, radio, or cd player. My printer may or may not be going (not sure yet.) 

*Other - I am taking my sewing machine, wheat grinder, dyson vacuum and hiking backpack. Possibly my bike and dutch oven. 

The hardest things to part with have been my food storage, camping stuff and gardening supplies. Those are things that I prayed for for a LONG time and have really enjoyed. I am super grateful that the food storage has gone to 6 different families. It has not been hard to say good bye to the furniture, craft stuff or STUFF in general. It has felt liberating. Seriously I feel lighter.

 I love this article - "The Cost of Riches" it is wonderful. I am leaving much behind but I am not leaving what is most important.