Smaller Quarters

October 15, 2010

Recently I moved our office and home into smaller quarters, not by much,  though smaller than we’re accustomed to, with less storage than our previous space.  So, we went through the usual ‘What are we going to give away?’ dilemma.  We stood there looking at boxes of things we hadn’t opened in a year or more and began the sift to the bottom.

Source

Through that process I came to realize exactly what was in my way:  all of this stuff.  I love to cook and had several versions of the same pans, utensils and dishes and several pieces I used perhaps once a year.  Half of my office closet was consumed by boxes or fabric, bits and pieces of unused items from past projects and artfully stacked boxes of ‘stuff’ ready to topple at the slightest nudge.  Boxes of ‘things’ lined each side of our garage, hosting a variety of bugs and spiders I’m sure.

So we decided to give things away.  A lot of things.  The first box was the easiest, which led me to realize how fortunate we are to have boxes of things to give away.  A fortunate position, yes?  Somehow, through the frustration of ‘things’ being in my way, I arrived at a place of gratitude, just by a small shift in my thinking.  I was able to look at what initially felt like a loss, or having less than, in a different light.   I feel  like we now have more:  more possibilities, more space, room to grow and expand!  I felt lighter somehow and actually smiled knowing another business or family may find useful items among mine.  Not to mention I have the opportunity to design for my toughest client:  me!

Love the wallpaper creating a focal point behind the desk! I may have made the board on the wall more decorative. (source)

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I would be really inspired working here!! (source)

Has anyone else arrived at a similar place?  How has purging or moving helped you realize what you have?