If you’ve been here more than once you already know my love for reading.  I will read just about anything.  If it has words, I will read it.

Over the past year, I really got into reading minimalist books.  I love the look, it just soothes my soul.  I don’t think that I’ll ever pull it off, but that was never my intention anyway.

We moved into our current house almost 8 years ago.  (Wow!  That seems so crazy!)  And when we came to our new town we literally doubled the size of our house.  Double.

I can remember after we had closing thinking, what are we going to fill these rooms with?!?

Well, believe me when I say that after 8 years we have more than filled them.  Filled them until I couldn’t stand it anymore.

Also, when your children transition from ages 8 and 10 to almost 16 and 18 you have a tendency to accumulate more stuff too.

Toys and books, and clothes oh my!

I love to hear about other people’s successes when it comes to downsizing, but I can’t help but laugh until tears roll down my face when I hear someone say, “Oh yes, I gave away seven items to the thrift store this week”.  I can only hope that one day I will only have seven items to donate in a week.

I am by no means a hoarder, but the amount of stuff that I have already donated makes me look and sound like one, so brace yourself.  I went back through my records (yes, I have records;  I take after my Maternal Grand-Father in this regard) and here is a little glimpse of some of the things that have gone on to be loved by others.

2012 –

• 424 pieces of clothing
• 100 magazines
• 47 paperback books
• 35 hardback books
• 67 items of housewares
• 16 pieces of kitchenware’s
• 109 toys and stuffed animals
• 88 pairs of shoes

2013 –

• 457 pieces of clothing
• 263 magazines
• 111 hardback books
• 265 paperback books
• 321 pieces of kitchenware
• 158 items of housewares
• 19 pairs of shoes
• 45 purses
• 198 toys and stuffed animals

2014 –

• 498 pieces of clothing
• 284 magazines
• 60 hardback books
• 78 paperback books
• 162 pieces of kitchenware
• 239 items of housewares
• 20 pairs of shoes
• 27 purses
• 85 toys and stuffed animals

Whew!  Just typing all of that makes me feel so much lighter!  You wouldn’t believe how much relief I feel when I drop off a bunch of stuff to my local Salvation Army.  They know me by name, much to Denton’s dismay.

There is no end in sight either.  My kids are still growing.  Every single person in our house gets new magazines and books each month.  So every couple of weeks I try to take a load down and bless some other family.  And it makes me breathe easier too!

What treasures have you sent away to be loved by someone else lately?