Packratitis

Do you suffer from packratitis? The symptoms can be deceiving. If you never look at your stuff, is it really there? Do you keep something in the hope/delusion that you'll use it again, so you shouldn't throw it away? Do you keep every scrap of fabric, paper, yarn or any other craft item that comes your way, thinking you'll use it one day? Do you keep things that have no sentimental value, but still take up the space in your basement? Do you look around at your stuff and wonder who brought it all in, because it definitely wasn't you!

I think there is value in keeping some things. If you will use it, if it isn't broken, it may have a use in your home. If you don't or won't, why bother having the wasted space? Sentimental items are in a whole other category in my book, too!

I cleaned up the basement so that the kids had more room to play, especially when there's snow on the ground and it's hard to go outside. I put all of the toys downstairs. The kids are welcome to bring them up to play, but their home is the basement. Most of the toys have a box or tote that they live in and they can be brought up and easily cleaned up. It has made the whole rest of the house so much tidier. I love it! Now, the basement holds the mess, but at least we don't have to clean it up all the time if I don't want to. I don't have to trip over the mess, either!

I found this this article about clutter. I think it has some good points to make about the things we keep around!

We may be recovering from this dreadful disease, but we still have a lot to go through. I think we've gotten better about what we keep, but we still have the years of back-up to get rid of. Wish me luck!