The Portuguese widow moves house
In describing his decorating sense vs his husband’s, MC once told me, “He’s a Zen monk and I’m a Portuguese widow.” Meaning that, like me, Michael has a tendency to collect things and like layers and what other people might call clutter, whereas Ken prefers sparse, clean lines. You can see this tension between their styles in their apartment, and it works well there. (Though I have long suspected MC’s SoHo studio is not nearly so restrained a place.)
That’s stayed with me, his offhand comment on his tendency to accumulate stuff because, well…me too. (yeah, I’m Buddhist. We all have things we need to work on.)
I got an early start at it, frequenting garage sales and flea markets and auctions with my mother, a collector herself. Old horse bits and bridles, candlestick holders, Depression glass, vintage clothes and jewelry, old books with crumbling covers, Cookie Monster paraphernalia–ESPECIALLY Cookie Monster paraphernalia… By the time I left for college I owned way more stuff than any 18-year-old has call to own. The stuff mostly stayed behind at my parents’ house in my very full bedroom. When my father died and my mom moved to a smaller house, most of that stuff went into storage. Meanwhile, I was away at college collecting more stuff. I went Madrid for my junior year and came back loaded down with yet more stuff—none of which I can now recall. I spent nearly every Sunday morning combing through the stalls at the Rastro in Madrid. My dad had died three months before I went to Spain and with him our familyÂ’s income. I didnÂ’t have the money to be at the flea market every weekend, but I went anyway because that was what I would have done before he died. Garage sales, flea markets, auctionsÂ…hunting for that perfect collectible or antiqueÂ…it was what my family did together. So there I was, across the ocean and on my own, my father dead and me sifting through piles of old silverware spread out on a blanket in a corner of Madrid.
And so I came home and graduated, moved way too many boxes of stuff and way too many pieces of cool garage sale furniture into my 250 sq foot studio in the East Village. I lived in that tiny space for nearly five years, and by the end of that time my stuff was crowding me out.
And then on to 975 square feet in Brooklyn. A real living room and a real bedroom meant one thing—I had room for more stuff! Soon that place was filled to overflowing too. All good stuff, mind you, and all previously owned, so,…you know…reuse, recycle, all that. It didn’t FEEL like too much consumption.
When we moved from the one-bedroom apartment to this house, everything I had crammed into that apartment or kept in storage with my mom or in the basement of our building filled the house. It didn’t overfill the house—it was just right. Which meant that I’d had enough furniture and books and chotchkes in the apartment to furnish a four-bedroom house. I liked the fact that the house felt uncluttered and stopped acquiring things for the most part. That felt good, the realizing I had enough stuff. That finding a great piece of Depression glass at a stoop sale didn’t mean I was obligated to buy said piece. Etc. I had grown. I was terribly impressed with myself.
Now we’re preparing to move across the country. (Oh yeah. PS: We’re definitely moving to Portland.) I’m taking stock of what we have—what I have, really, because Billy isn’t into the material possessions thing like I have been. What I’m finding is that while it’s great that I stopped acquiring things just for the sake of having them a few years back, I really did build tremendous stores of crap before that point. I could furnish a large apartment just with what we’ve got in our basement storage area. Including art for the walls and way too many knick knacks. Billy and I each have three bikes (two beaters that can get locked up on the street and if they get stolen, so be it, and one good road bike for real rides each). Ask me when we last road the bikes. Go on. Ask. Here’s a hint—I wasn’t allowed to ride a bike while pregnant and I sure haven’t gotten on one since. We’ll keep our good bikes and sell the others.
IÂ’ve never thrown out a book and never sold any to used bookstores or donated them or even given books away to friends. IÂ’ve hoarded every book thatÂ’s come into my life since high school. Why? Yesterday I filled five boxes with books I donÂ’t need to live with anymore. WeÂ’ll sell them to a used bookstore, and when itÂ’s time to move IÂ’ll go through the shelves and hopefully weed out another box or twoÂ’s worth.
I have bags full of size 4 clothes. I havenÂ’t worn a size 4 since 2000 and if I ever do wear that size again (Yeah right.) the clothes will not likely fit the person IÂ’ve become in the intervening years. So why do I still have them? And how many pairs of shoes does one person need, anyway? And does a family of three need twenty mugs?
DonÂ’t get me started on the piles of papers. I may hoard collectibles and antiques. Billy hangs on to every piece of paper heÂ’s ever come across and they pile up in his office like snowdrifts.
You see where IÂ’m going with thisÂ…
IÂ’m taking this move as an opportunity to lighten the load a bit. Family pieces either go with us or back to my mother or brother, but with everything else I need to truly love it or truly need it, or it goes. I have only begun to purge. It feels good. I hope I can curb my packrat ways in the new house.
PS: There will be a stash sale soon
Congrats on your move to Portland. You’ll love it out here (I live 1 hr south of Portland). There are plenty of places to get more stuff here…don’t get me started on books 😉 (http://www.powells.com)
Posted by: Michele
When we moved from Brooklyn to Portland, I also took the opportunity to purge like crazy. But, of course, I still moved too much stuff. We sent soooo many boxes of books 3,000 miles. Just a few months later I hauled many of them into Powells (see Michelle’s post) and sold them. Did I recoup the moving expenses (even at bookrate)? Unlikely. But I think I needed to do the paring down thing in carefully controlled phases: it’s easier on the system.
Posted by: Regina
It’s funny you should write about this because just today I looked at the hutch in the kitchen and realized that it was way too cluttered. I used to collect beanpots and then I started collecting bowls and and and. So I cleaned it off and just left the stuff I actually use and it looks so much better. Good luck!
Posted by: Carole
an early welcome to the west coast from Vancouver BC! I never thought that I would *ever* move west of the mississippi, but I love it out here.
Posted by: megan
Congrats on your move to Portland. You’ll love it out here (I live 1 hr south of Portland). There are plenty of places to get more stuff here…don’t get me started on books 😉 (http://www.powells.com)
Posted by: Michele
When we moved from Brooklyn to Portland, I also took the opportunity to purge like crazy. But, of course, I still moved too much stuff. We sent soooo many boxes of books 3,000 miles. Just a few months later I hauled many of them into Powells (see Michelle’s post) and sold them. Did I recoup the moving expenses (even at bookrate)? Unlikely. But I think I needed to do the paring down thing in carefully controlled phases: it’s easier on the system.
Posted by: Regina
It’s funny you should write about this because just today I looked at the hutch in the kitchen and realized that it was way too cluttered. I used to collect beanpots and then I started collecting bowls and and and. So I cleaned it off and just left the stuff I actually use and it looks so much better. Good luck!
Posted by: Carole
an early welcome to the west coast from Vancouver BC! I never thought that I would *ever* move west of the mississippi, but I love it out here.
Posted by: megan
I’m a hoarder too…I used to move around a lot and I find my ‘stuff’ very comforting. But once you get into the swing of things, the ritual sorting and ridding sessions start to feel very good.
Posted by: Cirilia
A co-worker recently told me her strategy: if it’s not loved, beautiful, and/or absolutely needed (and used!) it has no place in your life. I’m trying so hard to adhere to this myself. Good luck!!!!!!!
Posted by: Nic
good luck. we did that moving over here and now we somehow have too much stuff again… or maybe it’s just too much all over the place. I’m ready to throw it all out the window.
Posted by: kate
I am also doing the purge before packing to move. And while it feels great it’s also a complete pain in the arse.
Posted by: wen
It’s always a difficult process. We’ve gotten rid of tons of stuff in the last year, because although Bean might use it someday, someday is a minimum of 13 years away and, really, 3/4 of a set of Corelle and various old kitchen krap isn’t that great a something to store. We have room in the attic, but there is some sort of psychic cost attached to storing a bunch of old stuff I don’t want and I don’t want to keep paying in that way.
There are times when less really is more.
Posted by: liz
Ah, purging is good. We’ve moved twice in the last five years or so and shed a lot of stuff. That being said if you have a stoop sale that includes furniture, let us know since we’re still looking for the “right” stuff to fit in our 650 sq.ft. Also, if you’re taking books to the Strand, they don’t take soft cover fiction (only non-fiction) which we found out the hard way…Congrats on your decision to move!
Posted by: LizD
Good luck with these adventures.
Posted by: Sarah
I did the same thing when we moved about 2 years ago. I estimate that we only kept one-third of the stuff that was in our old house. It made packing and moving and unpacking a lot easier. I even sent our canned food to the food bank!
Posted by: LaurieM
We’re doing the purge now, too, because we’re moving from Eugene to Seattle (approx. 300 miles) and it’s cheaper to sell as much as possible & then replace it all with IKEA & Target clearance stuff (they deliver, thus saving us the headache of maneuvering a u-haul through downtown Seattle). My mother, oddly enough, is quite upset that we’re getting rid of so much stuff. The thought of “only” having one car load of stuff (which we won’t, we won’t be able to pare down THAT much) horrifies her.
Posted by: jen
Just keep the sewing machines. I liked them 🙂
We have a good collection of dust and furballs. And it will take us moving to clear anything out as well.
I think they call clearing, cathartic.
Posted by: Alison
Hi Cari … I’ve read your blog for quite a while. I think I’ve made the same changes you do when it comes to hoarding things. At first, you think that all your stuff is important, needed and inspiring … and then you realize that it is actually slowing you down. Kind of like overweight, in a spiritual sense.
Now I’m quite the opposite, I go through my stuff often, as soon as it starts to feel messy. But I would never part with something I don’t feel ready to – I might regret it.
So your stash sale: Are you going to ship overseas this time? I’d be thrilled to buy some yarn from you.
Posted by: Shannara
Clearing out is good, but one suggestion…if you have something that is really part of your daily routine, or that you find comforting to have around – even if it isn’t particularly useful or necessary – keep it. Moving is tough and having a little bit of the familiar can be more help than you’d think. I’ve been kicking myself for months that I didn’t ship more of my books (and my favorite coffee mugs) when we moved here to Germany. It would have been very comforting to have some of “my things” here. Lord knows there’s nothing familiar about this place.
Posted by: Steph Bolinger
A move is a great time for a purge. When we moved last year we got rid of so much stuff – bags and bags of clothes and outgrown toys and a surprising number of books. We still had to hire a pretty large truck, but it was nice to move into a new place and not fill it all up immediately.
Posted by: Mary
I too used to be a terrible pack rat. Inherited from my parents who loved to shop the antique sales in England when I was a kid.
I started watching shows like “Clean Sweep” and “Neat” (not so brutal Canadian version) and discovered how to purge the boxes of junk I had accumulated over 20 years!
Now I have lots of room for the important things, like yarn and fabric 🙂
Posted by: Ella
I believe that every person is born with their particular “stuff density” attached to them, and this quality carries them through life. If you live in a tiny cramped room you will find a way to hone your stuff down so it fits, still keeping the same stuff density around you. When you move to a bigger space your stuff expands, accumulates until it fills the space, maintaining its density. Reducing your stuff density is like losing weight: freaking hard to do, and once done it requires constant maintenance to keep it that way. Good luck with it; I’m trying to reduce my own stuff density this year as well.
Peter’s ex used to joke that she wanted friends to each bring a pile of papers to her funeral and pile them up in the hallways of the funeral home as they came in, so that she would feel at home there, and her sendoff would be just like her life, with friends and family having to step over and around piles of crap in order to visit her.
Posted by: jodi
You go! Was just there myself. Somehow managed to nicely furnish and fill my new house which is more than double the size of the old house without buying anything new and you should have seen the bags, and bags, and bags, and boxes, and bags that left that old house prior to the move. OY!
Posted by: Liz
You’re moving to PORTLAND?!?!?! Dude. I need to move to CT first and come visit you. Harumph. 😉
My inner flea-market – used book – antique collector girl is salivating at the idea of nosing through your accumulations. *sigh*
Posted by: melanie
I think it’s really funny that you chose to use “Portuguese Widow” as your analogy. It made it clear that my tendency to pack rat might actually be genetic and that I got it from my Mother who got it from her mother who came from Portugal.
It’s a hard thing to start the decluttering, but it’s totally worth it and you get addicted to it too 🙂 It starts to feel really naughty and good to be getting rid of things and then it just feels good, good and purging and like a relief.
Posted by: Miriam
Have you heard the saying that two moves equal one fire? As a military wife who has done two major dity moves (do-it-yourself instead of letting strangers come in and pack up everything and possibly loose someof it before they get it to where you’re going), if you don’t love it or use it, let it be free. Send it off to a new home, or donate it to your local thrift store, woman’s shelter, or whatever. Let the detrius find new homes with someone who will love them.
Posted by: Cathy
I like Jodi’s phrase “stuff density.” I like your use of the word call in “….has call to own.” You know what’s REALLY hard to get rid of? The stuff Thumper will bring home from school – all those giant paintings on newsprint, all those clay objects, every popsicle stick construction, every hand-crafted Mother’s Day card, each A+ spelling paper – those are the kinds of things I find impossible to throw away.
Posted by: Mary K. in Rockport
I’m a hoarder too…I used to move around a lot and I find my ‘stuff’ very comforting. But once you get into the swing of things, the ritual sorting and ridding sessions start to feel very good.
Posted by: Cirilia
A co-worker recently told me her strategy: if it’s not loved, beautiful, and/or absolutely needed (and used!) it has no place in your life. I’m trying so hard to adhere to this myself. Good luck!!!!!!!
Posted by: Nic
good luck. we did that moving over here and now we somehow have too much stuff again… or maybe it’s just too much all over the place. I’m ready to throw it all out the window.
Posted by: kate
I am also doing the purge before packing to move. And while it feels great it’s also a complete pain in the arse.
Posted by: wen
It’s always a difficult process. We’ve gotten rid of tons of stuff in the last year, because although Bean might use it someday, someday is a minimum of 13 years away and, really, 3/4 of a set of Corelle and various old kitchen krap isn’t that great a something to store. We have room in the attic, but there is some sort of psychic cost attached to storing a bunch of old stuff I don’t want and I don’t want to keep paying in that way.
There are times when less really is more.
Posted by: liz
Ah, purging is good. We’ve moved twice in the last five years or so and shed a lot of stuff. That being said if you have a stoop sale that includes furniture, let us know since we’re still looking for the “right” stuff to fit in our 650 sq.ft. Also, if you’re taking books to the Strand, they don’t take soft cover fiction (only non-fiction) which we found out the hard way…Congrats on your decision to move!
Posted by: LizD
Good luck with these adventures.
Posted by: Sarah
I did the same thing when we moved about 2 years ago. I estimate that we only kept one-third of the stuff that was in our old house. It made packing and moving and unpacking a lot easier. I even sent our canned food to the food bank!
Posted by: LaurieM
We’re doing the purge now, too, because we’re moving from Eugene to Seattle (approx. 300 miles) and it’s cheaper to sell as much as possible & then replace it all with IKEA & Target clearance stuff (they deliver, thus saving us the headache of maneuvering a u-haul through downtown Seattle). My mother, oddly enough, is quite upset that we’re getting rid of so much stuff. The thought of “only” having one car load of stuff (which we won’t, we won’t be able to pare down THAT much) horrifies her.
Posted by: jen
Just keep the sewing machines. I liked them 🙂
We have a good collection of dust and furballs. And it will take us moving to clear anything out as well.
I think they call clearing, cathartic.
Posted by: Alison
Hi Cari … I’ve read your blog for quite a while. I think I’ve made the same changes you do when it comes to hoarding things. At first, you think that all your stuff is important, needed and inspiring … and then you realize that it is actually slowing you down. Kind of like overweight, in a spiritual sense.
Now I’m quite the opposite, I go through my stuff often, as soon as it starts to feel messy. But I would never part with something I don’t feel ready to – I might regret it.
So your stash sale: Are you going to ship overseas this time? I’d be thrilled to buy some yarn from you.
Posted by: Shannara
Clearing out is good, but one suggestion…if you have something that is really part of your daily routine, or that you find comforting to have around – even if it isn’t particularly useful or necessary – keep it. Moving is tough and having a little bit of the familiar can be more help than you’d think. I’ve been kicking myself for months that I didn’t ship more of my books (and my favorite coffee mugs) when we moved here to Germany. It would have been very comforting to have some of “my things” here. Lord knows there’s nothing familiar about this place.
Posted by: Steph Bolinger
A move is a great time for a purge. When we moved last year we got rid of so much stuff – bags and bags of clothes and outgrown toys and a surprising number of books. We still had to hire a pretty large truck, but it was nice to move into a new place and not fill it all up immediately.
Posted by: Mary
I too used to be a terrible pack rat. Inherited from my parents who loved to shop the antique sales in England when I was a kid.
I started watching shows like “Clean Sweep” and “Neat” (not so brutal Canadian version) and discovered how to purge the boxes of junk I had accumulated over 20 years!
Now I have lots of room for the important things, like yarn and fabric 🙂
Posted by: Ella
I believe that every person is born with their particular “stuff density” attached to them, and this quality carries them through life. If you live in a tiny cramped room you will find a way to hone your stuff down so it fits, still keeping the same stuff density around you. When you move to a bigger space your stuff expands, accumulates until it fills the space, maintaining its density. Reducing your stuff density is like losing weight: freaking hard to do, and once done it requires constant maintenance to keep it that way. Good luck with it; I’m trying to reduce my own stuff density this year as well.
Peter’s ex used to joke that she wanted friends to each bring a pile of papers to her funeral and pile them up in the hallways of the funeral home as they came in, so that she would feel at home there, and her sendoff would be just like her life, with friends and family having to step over and around piles of crap in order to visit her.
Posted by: jodi
You go! Was just there myself. Somehow managed to nicely furnish and fill my new house which is more than double the size of the old house without buying anything new and you should have seen the bags, and bags, and bags, and boxes, and bags that left that old house prior to the move. OY!
Posted by: Liz
You’re moving to PORTLAND?!?!?! Dude. I need to move to CT first and come visit you. Harumph. 😉
My inner flea-market – used book – antique collector girl is salivating at the idea of nosing through your accumulations. *sigh*
Posted by: melanie
I think it’s really funny that you chose to use “Portuguese Widow” as your analogy. It made it clear that my tendency to pack rat might actually be genetic and that I got it from my Mother who got it from her mother who came from Portugal.
It’s a hard thing to start the decluttering, but it’s totally worth it and you get addicted to it too 🙂 It starts to feel really naughty and good to be getting rid of things and then it just feels good, good and purging and like a relief.
Posted by: Miriam
Have you heard the saying that two moves equal one fire? As a military wife who has done two major dity moves (do-it-yourself instead of letting strangers come in and pack up everything and possibly loose someof it before they get it to where you’re going), if you don’t love it or use it, let it be free. Send it off to a new home, or donate it to your local thrift store, woman’s shelter, or whatever. Let the detrius find new homes with someone who will love them.
Posted by: Cathy
I like Jodi’s phrase “stuff density.” I like your use of the word call in “….has call to own.” You know what’s REALLY hard to get rid of? The stuff Thumper will bring home from school – all those giant paintings on newsprint, all those clay objects, every popsicle stick construction, every hand-crafted Mother’s Day card, each A+ spelling paper – those are the kinds of things I find impossible to throw away.
Posted by: Mary K. in Rockport
I hear you. Fifteen or so years of my heavy-duty thrifting has meant a lot of thing-accumulation. But having moved so often has also meant regular paring down — and I can assure you that the weeding out and selling off of things will be accompanied by a new feeling of lightness and freedom. I promise.
Posted by: alison
Good start! The best part about being at my mom’s is that I only have a limited amount of stuff (everything’s in storage). It’s pretty nice, and I hope I’ll keep liking it once we have a place of our own again.
PS: you have to come tomorrow. Carrieoke is coming.
Posted by: valentina
I like Jodi’s “stuff density” theory. Myself, I have a low tolerance for stuff — the less the better. But I understand stuff-love. Best of luck with the house-wide de-stash!
Posted by: claudia
last time i “decluttered” an apartment in new york, i secretly left bags of books outside the door of the public library. 🙂
and there are surely many poor people living off entire wardrobes of my old clothes. clothes i have no issues getting rid of. other things are tougher.
Posted by: carolyn
I’m doing purges recently, of clothes and today or everything, from moving my studio around…there were so many boxes under my (huge) desk i couldn’t fit my knees under…It feels great to just give them away to someone who’ll make better use of them…or of course to sell them!
Good Luck with everything:)
Posted by: Kayla
My husband’s Grandfather had one piece of advice to us on our wedding day: never buy a large home. Invariably, you will fill it and need to move to a larger home. Start small and stay small. Two apartments and one house later, we realize he’s right.
Best of luck with your de-cluttering efforts!
Posted by: Jenni
Glad you’re coming to Portland, has anyone mentioned it is also very dog friendly? And we have Powell’s and many fine yarn stores.
Posted by: otter
We are moving too…just about 30 miles north of here, and into a much bigger house, but I, too, am getting the urge to purge. Alan called an rented a roll-off that is coming next weekend, and if it isn’t beautiful, necessary, or used on a regular basis, it is going. The local goodwill is going to be overwhelmed, I am afraid. Less is more, I am discovering as I get older.
Posted by: Jaimi
I wish you luck in your de-cluttering. I am now adrift here too in Madrid, and I went to the Rastro this morning (they sell mostly clothes and bags now). I did a major purge last year before leaving for Europe. I recycled many things, gave away still usable art supplies to a school, used Freecycle, and threw out what had to be. I still feel good about it, and am not worried about what I left behind. En fin, suerte.
Posted by: Erin
ok. so moving to portland. when???????
(matt makes me purge stuff. i hate it. but he has a ‘buy something, get rid of something’ motto.)
Posted by: rebecca
Welcome to the Pacific Northwest! We just moved to the Seattle area a month ago. We did some purging before the moving truck showed up; but not nearly enough. We’ll be moving into a smaller house here, and that’s going to be painful! Here’s to a fellow fiber packrat!
Posted by: nancy
I’m starting the same process for our move. Only I’m the one who likes to get rid of “stuff.” It’s my husband who is going to have a hard time with it. I just feel so free when I toss. As far as I’m concerned, moving cross country (or even half-way) is a wonderful excuse to lighten up.
Posted by: Susan
A cross country move is a huge change! Exciting and scary too. I grew up in a junking family (my dad is now a dealer) so I know what you’re talking about. I like stuff, but not clutter. It’s a hard balance to strike. In our house, we have seasonal clean-outs and some stuff goes to Good Will, some goes to a local auction, and the rest we give away. If a new piece of junk comes into the house, I have to get rid of something. Helps to keep the accumulations in check. Now, I will only buy something if it makes me gasp. Good luck with your clean-out! I look forward to the destash
Posted by: Kim
I love how you threw in that crucial bit of info in a *parenthetical*.
Posted by: Michelle
I sometimes look around and think – is this all mine? I am ONE person.
When it comes time to move – just look at it and think – is this worth X dollars a pound to ship? At whatever X dollars turns out to be.
I expect the answer will turn out to be NO more often than not.
(And the answer to the shoe question is…..huh, who me? what?)
Posted by: Juno
oh and p.s. if some of the stash stuff doesn’t sell, i just donated a ton of yarn to a cool place in philly, i can send you the info…
p.p.s. did the dragonfly “unstretch” back to normal or is it messed up now?
Posted by: carolyn
You know I live in Portland, right? BRING THE GOOD BIKES. There are so many spots to ride safely with a little one here. What’s your timeline on moving?
Posted by: LeAnne
I’m moving in about a month & not looking forward to the purge. I’ve collected a lot of stuff-darn yard sales & Goodwill!
Posted by: amy
I’m moving in about a month & not looking forward to the purge. I’ve collected a lot of stuff-darn yard sales & Goodwill!
Posted by: amy
I’m moving in about a month & not looking forward to the purge. I’ve collected a lot of stuff-darn yard sales & Goodwill!
Posted by: amy
I hear you. Fifteen or so years of my heavy-duty thrifting has meant a lot of thing-accumulation. But having moved so often has also meant regular paring down — and I can assure you that the weeding out and selling off of things will be accompanied by a new feeling of lightness and freedom. I promise.
Posted by: alison
Good start! The best part about being at my mom’s is that I only have a limited amount of stuff (everything’s in storage). It’s pretty nice, and I hope I’ll keep liking it once we have a place of our own again.
PS: you have to come tomorrow. Carrieoke is coming.
Posted by: valentina
I like Jodi’s “stuff density” theory. Myself, I have a low tolerance for stuff — the less the better. But I understand stuff-love. Best of luck with the house-wide de-stash!
Posted by: claudia
last time i “decluttered” an apartment in new york, i secretly left bags of books outside the door of the public library. 🙂
and there are surely many poor people living off entire wardrobes of my old clothes. clothes i have no issues getting rid of. other things are tougher.
Posted by: carolyn
I’m doing purges recently, of clothes and today or everything, from moving my studio around…there were so many boxes under my (huge) desk i couldn’t fit my knees under…It feels great to just give them away to someone who’ll make better use of them…or of course to sell them!
Good Luck with everything:)
Posted by: Kayla
My husband’s Grandfather had one piece of advice to us on our wedding day: never buy a large home. Invariably, you will fill it and need to move to a larger home. Start small and stay small. Two apartments and one house later, we realize he’s right.
Best of luck with your de-cluttering efforts!
Posted by: Jenni
Glad you’re coming to Portland, has anyone mentioned it is also very dog friendly? And we have Powell’s and many fine yarn stores.
Posted by: otter
We are moving too…just about 30 miles north of here, and into a much bigger house, but I, too, am getting the urge to purge. Alan called an rented a roll-off that is coming next weekend, and if it isn’t beautiful, necessary, or used on a regular basis, it is going. The local goodwill is going to be overwhelmed, I am afraid. Less is more, I am discovering as I get older.
Posted by: Jaimi
I wish you luck in your de-cluttering. I am now adrift here too in Madrid, and I went to the Rastro this morning (they sell mostly clothes and bags now). I did a major purge last year before leaving for Europe. I recycled many things, gave away still usable art supplies to a school, used Freecycle, and threw out what had to be. I still feel good about it, and am not worried about what I left behind. En fin, suerte.
Posted by: Erin
ok. so moving to portland. when???????
(matt makes me purge stuff. i hate it. but he has a ‘buy something, get rid of something’ motto.)
Posted by: rebecca
Welcome to the Pacific Northwest! We just moved to the Seattle area a month ago. We did some purging before the moving truck showed up; but not nearly enough. We’ll be moving into a smaller house here, and that’s going to be painful! Here’s to a fellow fiber packrat!
Posted by: nancy
I’m starting the same process for our move. Only I’m the one who likes to get rid of “stuff.” It’s my husband who is going to have a hard time with it. I just feel so free when I toss. As far as I’m concerned, moving cross country (or even half-way) is a wonderful excuse to lighten up.
Posted by: Susan
A cross country move is a huge change! Exciting and scary too. I grew up in a junking family (my dad is now a dealer) so I know what you’re talking about. I like stuff, but not clutter. It’s a hard balance to strike. In our house, we have seasonal clean-outs and some stuff goes to Good Will, some goes to a local auction, and the rest we give away. If a new piece of junk comes into the house, I have to get rid of something. Helps to keep the accumulations in check. Now, I will only buy something if it makes me gasp. Good luck with your clean-out! I look forward to the destash
Posted by: Kim
I love how you threw in that crucial bit of info in a *parenthetical*.
Posted by: Michelle
I sometimes look around and think – is this all mine? I am ONE person.
When it comes time to move – just look at it and think – is this worth X dollars a pound to ship? At whatever X dollars turns out to be.
I expect the answer will turn out to be NO more often than not.
(And the answer to the shoe question is…..huh, who me? what?)
Posted by: Juno
oh and p.s. if some of the stash stuff doesn’t sell, i just donated a ton of yarn to a cool place in philly, i can send you the info…
p.p.s. did the dragonfly “unstretch” back to normal or is it messed up now?
Posted by: carolyn
You know I live in Portland, right? BRING THE GOOD BIKES. There are so many spots to ride safely with a little one here. What’s your timeline on moving?
Posted by: LeAnne
I’m moving in about a month & not looking forward to the purge. I’ve collected a lot of stuff-darn yard sales & Goodwill!
Posted by: amy
I’m moving in about a month & not looking forward to the purge. I’ve collected a lot of stuff-darn yard sales & Goodwill!
Posted by: amy
I’m moving in about a month & not looking forward to the purge. I’ve collected a lot of stuff-darn yard sales & Goodwill!
Posted by: amy
The paragraph about your dad and rummaging in Spain was written so well…it made me think it was the beginning of a story that I wanted to keep reading.
Also, think Ebay for knick-knacky kind of stuff.
I’m in the midst of some de-cluttering right now in anticiaption of a master bedroom remodeling. It feels so good! Except then I remember out storage basement room shock full of junk and feel really guilty. I need to get brave one day and step in there and begin.
Posted by: Shelley (Pink House)
I moved from a 1-BR apartment to a 3-BR house and didn’t need to buy any furniture. How does that happen?
Posted by: Kim
Ah nothing like the prospect of having to lug something around to change our priorities in keeping it!
Purging is really good for the soul.
Posted by: Laurie
Crap – am I a size 4? (just kidding)
I’m so self-absorbed that I actually took this as a direct admonition against my clutterfull ways. Truth be told, even though I hope and pray that my two year lease means I won’t have to move for … at least two years … I think I really need to face the facts and deal with it now.
You know what? maybe next week actually.
Posted by: Cassie
I did a major clear-out last Fall and it felt so good. There’s something very freeing about getting rid of stuff you’ve held on to for too many years. Although I didn’t move, but stayed in my same ol’ condo, it felt like a very fresh start!
Posted by: Wendy
Congrats on your move! And don’t you love a good deep clean? It feels so good.
Posted by: Kristy
An early welcome to Portland! It took me a good three years to adjust to the West Coast after growing up on the East Coast, but I was much younger then. Is that a Baby Hawk carrier in your previous post? That was one of my few new (as opposed to used) purchases for my almost six-month-old boy a couple of months ago.
The Portland Monthly magazine does an annual school rating guide which you might find helpful.
Posted by: Tanya
It is SO hard to get rid of stuff. I was forced to do it- we had to clear out a room for a nursery. I stopped to think that perhaps 3/4 of the world lives in less space than I do (a 3BR, 2 bath ’50s house) but it was still hard. Packrat tendencies are hardcoded in genes!
Not to suggest you get more books, but if you don’t have it already, buy ‘Material World’. A wonderful look at the stuff the rest of the world has, or hasn’t. And buy ‘Hungry Planet’ too, as a great companion volume.
Posted by: Deepa
Wow- moving to Portland! I’ve always wanted to go there- I’ve heard it is fantastic!!
It’s good to lighten. I’m still in the process… sorting out my late husband’s things and my own… I have a TINY house and am desperate for a larger house for a proper craft room!
Posted by: Annie
Two quick things–put things in throw away boxes or giveaway boxes and leave them there for a few days before you actually do it. That way you are sure (I once tossed something that I still miss–it was the first box I ever got to hold pierced earrings–remember those boxes with rows and rows of little holes.) I also have a sky blue sweater that has been in the giveaway bag about 20 times and always ends up coming home with me. I’m just giving up and keeping it.
Secondly–you may do better giving the books away (you can deduct the amount they can sell them for from your taxes). Housing Works used book store is a great place to go. Housing Works also has thrift shops for other items. (And I love them–they do great work and their founders are friends of mine(well,one is a were since he passed away a few years ago).
Happy purging!
Hmm-suddenly this comment became about things/people I miss. I think I’ll spend some time enjoying memories today.
Posted by: karen
Delurking because I thought of you when this blog came up as “recently updated” at typepad — it’s about parenting in Portland.
http://www.readysetmom.com/
Moving is hard; just did it myself from Virginia to New Hampshire with 3 school age kids. Another great thing about purging now: Thumper gets to grow up in a house with less stuff, and maybe learns to live a little lighter himself.
Posted by: Kelly
Hey, we’re moving to Missoula, MT, which isn’t all that far from Portland. See you there.
Posted by: sutton
And just don’t give your old books that you can’t sell to a library. As the son of a librarian, I know: they REALLY REALLY don’t want them… (you’re just transferring the obligation of throwing them away to a stranger).
Posted by: sutton
oh mi god… I get here (only am a bit overwhelmed so I fall behind on things) and now… you are leaving.
*sigh*
Posted by: stinkerbell
Holy crap that’s a helluva move. I wish I had the guts to do it. I hope it all goes wonderfully smooth (even if that doesn’t make the most interesting blogging).
Posted by: JessZ
I’m finally coming out of long time reader lurkdom to officially SQUEEEEEE! on your behalf regarding your decision to move to Portland. My husband and I moved here about 6 months ago, and absolutely adore it here in the Alberta Arts neighborhood. I discovered your blog quite some time ago (2+ years?) when embarking on my first pattern, a Clapotis, and have been coming back since then. At the risk of being stalkery, I hope we run into each other some day, because you’ve long seemed like someone I’d have been friends with. I’m due with my first in June, and I’ve loyally followed the tales of your pregnancy and parenthood as well as your knitting adventures. Thanks for a great read and welcome to Portland!
Posted by: Ali
The paragraph about your dad and rummaging in Spain was written so well…it made me think it was the beginning of a story that I wanted to keep reading.
Also, think Ebay for knick-knacky kind of stuff.
I’m in the midst of some de-cluttering right now in anticiaption of a master bedroom remodeling. It feels so good! Except then I remember out storage basement room shock full of junk and feel really guilty. I need to get brave one day and step in there and begin.
Posted by: Shelley (Pink House)
I moved from a 1-BR apartment to a 3-BR house and didn’t need to buy any furniture. How does that happen?
Posted by: Kim
Ah nothing like the prospect of having to lug something around to change our priorities in keeping it!
Purging is really good for the soul.
Posted by: Laurie
Crap – am I a size 4? (just kidding)
I’m so self-absorbed that I actually took this as a direct admonition against my clutterfull ways. Truth be told, even though I hope and pray that my two year lease means I won’t have to move for … at least two years … I think I really need to face the facts and deal with it now.
You know what? maybe next week actually.
Posted by: Cassie
I did a major clear-out last Fall and it felt so good. There’s something very freeing about getting rid of stuff you’ve held on to for too many years. Although I didn’t move, but stayed in my same ol’ condo, it felt like a very fresh start!
Posted by: Wendy
Congrats on your move! And don’t you love a good deep clean? It feels so good.
Posted by: Kristy
An early welcome to Portland! It took me a good three years to adjust to the West Coast after growing up on the East Coast, but I was much younger then. Is that a Baby Hawk carrier in your previous post? That was one of my few new (as opposed to used) purchases for my almost six-month-old boy a couple of months ago.
The Portland Monthly magazine does an annual school rating guide which you might find helpful.
Posted by: Tanya
It is SO hard to get rid of stuff. I was forced to do it- we had to clear out a room for a nursery. I stopped to think that perhaps 3/4 of the world lives in less space than I do (a 3BR, 2 bath ’50s house) but it was still hard. Packrat tendencies are hardcoded in genes!
Not to suggest you get more books, but if you don’t have it already, buy ‘Material World’. A wonderful look at the stuff the rest of the world has, or hasn’t. And buy ‘Hungry Planet’ too, as a great companion volume.
Posted by: Deepa
Wow- moving to Portland! I’ve always wanted to go there- I’ve heard it is fantastic!!
It’s good to lighten. I’m still in the process… sorting out my late husband’s things and my own… I have a TINY house and am desperate for a larger house for a proper craft room!
Posted by: Annie
Two quick things–put things in throw away boxes or giveaway boxes and leave them there for a few days before you actually do it. That way you are sure (I once tossed something that I still miss–it was the first box I ever got to hold pierced earrings–remember those boxes with rows and rows of little holes.) I also have a sky blue sweater that has been in the giveaway bag about 20 times and always ends up coming home with me. I’m just giving up and keeping it.
Secondly–you may do better giving the books away (you can deduct the amount they can sell them for from your taxes). Housing Works used book store is a great place to go. Housing Works also has thrift shops for other items. (And I love them–they do great work and their founders are friends of mine(well,one is a were since he passed away a few years ago).
Happy purging!
Hmm-suddenly this comment became about things/people I miss. I think I’ll spend some time enjoying memories today.
Posted by: karen
Delurking because I thought of you when this blog came up as “recently updated” at typepad — it’s about parenting in Portland.
http://www.readysetmom.com/
Moving is hard; just did it myself from Virginia to New Hampshire with 3 school age kids. Another great thing about purging now: Thumper gets to grow up in a house with less stuff, and maybe learns to live a little lighter himself.
Posted by: Kelly
Hey, we’re moving to Missoula, MT, which isn’t all that far from Portland. See you there.
Posted by: sutton
And just don’t give your old books that you can’t sell to a library. As the son of a librarian, I know: they REALLY REALLY don’t want them… (you’re just transferring the obligation of throwing them away to a stranger).
Posted by: sutton
oh mi god… I get here (only am a bit overwhelmed so I fall behind on things) and now… you are leaving.
*sigh*
Posted by: stinkerbell
Holy crap that’s a helluva move. I wish I had the guts to do it. I hope it all goes wonderfully smooth (even if that doesn’t make the most interesting blogging).
Posted by: JessZ
I’m finally coming out of long time reader lurkdom to officially SQUEEEEEE! on your behalf regarding your decision to move to Portland. My husband and I moved here about 6 months ago, and absolutely adore it here in the Alberta Arts neighborhood. I discovered your blog quite some time ago (2+ years?) when embarking on my first pattern, a Clapotis, and have been coming back since then. At the risk of being stalkery, I hope we run into each other some day, because you’ve long seemed like someone I’d have been friends with. I’m due with my first in June, and I’ve loyally followed the tales of your pregnancy and parenthood as well as your knitting adventures. Thanks for a great read and welcome to Portland!
Posted by: Ali