Clearing out the closet

This week I begin packing.  I have 18 days to be out of my house, and so the countdown to clear out my belongings begins.

But where is the best place to start?

I have a three bedroom + study house, and whilst only I live here, I have still managed to fill every room with me.

I could start with my clothes, after all I have a wardrobe that spans 4 dress sizes (yes my weight really has fluctuated that much). I am a woman, so I am designed with an in built voice that tells me “you will lose weight and fit into that again”.  I don’t think I have the energy to argue with my alter ego today…. perhaps the clothes will wait for another day.

The kitchen is full of essentials, I am not sure there will be much to cull there.  I am scared if I start packing the kitchen I will end up with too many full and heavy boxes, and not enough floor space to store them until the mover comes.

My study is probably the most daunting.

I love books and have been incapable of throwing or giving away a book my whole life.  I still have my favourite childhood books, including Snugglepot & Cuddlepie.  I can’t imagine living anywhere without that book.

Perhaps its time my university text books disappeared, after all I haven’t opened them for 15 years, but I never know when I will need to refer to them again.

At least the book cabinet will be easy, everything will go in a box.

Then there are all my photo albums.  Even in the digital age, I am that person who still prints out my photos and lovingly arranges them in an album. I love flicking through the pages and remembering all the journeys, anniversaries and celebrations. I suspect I will need to reserve a day just to pack these up, so I can relive all the memories one more time.

Looking for a simple task, I started working on the filing cabinet last night.

I think I have mentioned before that I am a hoarder.  Even I was horrified at just how much I have kept.  Two drawers of my filing cabinet were dedicated to wrapping papers and ribbons from every wrapped or boxed gift I have received.  Oh dear, I think I have a problem!

Thankfully a couple of glasses of red wine gave me a little bravado, and I managed to throw away almost all of the wrapping items.

Yes, almost all….. well I had to keep some just in case they come in handy in the future.