Why the purge? I’ve wanted to do it for years, in an abstract way, but now it’s kind of being forced on us — we need to make room for my elderly parents to move in with us. Our old office/TV room on the main floor will become theirs. Purging their house, with its 80-years’ accumulation, has also strengthened my determination to rid myself of my anchor-around-the-neck, goddawful stuff. I want to set a good example for my kids (who are purging their stuffed toys in the most awesome fashion possible!) so that they don’t think it’s normal to have a dozen Sterilite tubs full of stuff that “might sell on eBay some day.”

Good luck!

Second of all, I need help. I cannot seem to do it. I look around my house and all I see if clutter and chaos. We moved into a bigger house thinking we needed it with three kids – and boy were we wrong. More house, more stuff. This house causes me a lot of stress. To the point I feel like I am not appreciating anything lately. I NEED HELP! Where do I start? How do I overcome the crappy fact that when I do get a room in order it is NOT within HOURS?!

I need simplicity. I needed it yesterday. Any honest advice?

Simplicity seems like an unattainable goal right now. Yet I know what I could actually accomplish and what a happier person I would be.

I am off to read this series – again! I hope to hear back from you!
Aubrey

Instead I’ll wish you luck with simplifying, and continue to unpack after our latest international move. No doubt I’ll wonder why I bothered to pack the great majority of our stuff, and end up donating it to the nearest charity shop.

I heard one of our pastor’s say that his freedom from something didn’t happen immediately. He said, “It took more than 5 minutes to get into it, and it took more than 5 minutes to get out!” I think that applies to the new mindset some of us are developing about our homes as well. You are doing a great job, and you can be proud of how far you’ve come!