Today I finally took on a project that has needed to be done for years! I wouldn’t have said “years” before I started, BUT after doing it, I discovered things with dates on them proving how long I’ve procrastinated. I am ashamed to admit it. But I must!
A couple of weeks ago Tom and I were on a date, and I asked him what area, if any, he would like to see me work on. I didn’t say what the area was, but today I will.
He simply said he hates piles.
They make him nervous and unable to relax. The amazing thing is, I have had piles all over the house for a while now. Things I never seem to make the time to get to. I had no idea these we affecting him this way, so I took it upon my self to tackle one big pile today – my closet. If there is any doubt it needed cleaning – here’s the before picture:
I’m ashamed to admit I found things here dated years ago. It felt good to fill three garbage bags full to throw away, and another pile to donate:
The straw bag in front I bought in England back in 1978! Yes, it’s time to say good-bye, not “good buy!”
At the bottom of this pile is a treasure with which I’m not sure I’m ready to part. It holds the dress I wore when Tom and I said our “I do’s”. Thirty-two years ago I bought this dress with great excitement:
It was the dress I wore when I became Mrs. Tom Walter. I was his bride that day, and I still am, although I don’t think it would fit me now. When I said my vows to him, it included doing projects like this to please him. Oh, he would never demand it of me – he never has. But I asked, and once I heard his answer it was in my ability to do. So I did it, because I love HIM.
It was fun to surprise him tonight with such a big project completed. Except, of course, for the pile of donations still cluttering the middle of our room. The jury is still out on whether I’ll donate my wedding dress. I’ve tried many times, but I end up closing the box and putting it back under the bed. Maybe this dress will be included in my vows “til death do us part!”
At any rate, decluttering is good for your relationship, whether it’s material things or emotional things. Take the time to pull it all out, sort through it – determine what’s garbage and what you should keep. And at the end of the day you can sit back and smile at how good it feels to get rid of the extra baggage.
What areas in your home or marriage are in need of decluttering? Don’t wait until years have passed to sort it out. You may just discover a reminder of how your love began, making it worth the time and mess.
The Romantic Vineyard 
WOW! That looks amazing!!!! Great job.
LikeLike
I just read Worth the Time and Mess and it made me cry so hard. I have no idea what exactly touched me so(?), but thank you. About your wedding dress. How sweet it is to say “Wow, this was my grandmother’s (or greatgrandmother’s, etc.) wedding dress.” Keep it for your “babies”, even the one’s that have not come along yet. Thank you so much for sharing. 🙂 Catherine Schlein
LikeLike
My Tom, like yours can’t relax in clutter. Like yours he would never demand it but he is happiest in a tidy home and since I have made up my mind to help him to be his happiest, tackling piles like the ones in our closets has been my mission for months. This is a nice reminder to keep on keepin on. Thanks!
LikeLike
oh you have hit a nerve with me… you should see the piles that are stacked and the ‘stuff’ I have to go through and organize and get rid of and purge closets and drawers and over half the house needs a deep cleaning. Went through the closet last year… and gave away a lot of my stuff to a womens shelter. Need to do it again.
I am a collectible sentimental messy. Oh my what a challenge that is ahead of me. You do inspire my efforts… help me now to make the ‘attempt and be successful.’
My suggestion on the wedding dress KEEP IT~ My own hand made dress by my grandmother is in the closet in a box wrapped in tissue paper and it is not leaving ever. It is a precious reminder of how far we have come as a couple.
LikeLike
I love your closet and even though mine is pretty large, it doesn’t have quite the nice organizers yours has! If I had those organizers, I’d most definitely keep mine neater. It looks great now though; keep up the good work and you’ll be able to find things more quickly now, I’ll bet!!
LikeLike