Now that I’m living in a “cute” (read: small) apartment, the desire and urgency of going minimalist with my possessions has increased. Despite this, it’s very easy to look around and ignore the clutter that threatens to choke me as it builds.

Having taken some steps to avoid further clutter (mostly a stringent avoidance of shopping for things other than food and digital educational products), I’m left to the adventure of reducing what I’ve reduced of what I’ve reduced. Why? Well, because I still don’t use most of what I have and what I don’t use is crowding me out.

PLUS, all the things that I’ve pulled out of the cabinets and drawers to get rid of have been sitting by the front door waiting for me to take  them to DI to donate.

So I decided to actually take things to DI, instead of thinking about taking them.

Before taking them, I grabbed a big box and filled it with things I don’t use from my kitchen. I actively avoided using my magic-bullet-esque blender and refused to use any recipe that required blending because I hated the darn thing. So that went. Then the next thing, and the next. When I finished, my cupboards were a good deal less overflowing and the box was looking a little dilapidated.

Then into the suitcase it all went, and down the two flights of stairs to the porch, and across the lawn to the bus stop. I will forever maintain that the only way to effectively transport a large amount of stuff on the bus system is in a rolling suitcase.

When I reached DI, it immediately became apparent that people showing up with suitcases full of stuff was abnormal, to say the least. The contents were unloaded and I left behind a bemused but unharmed drive-thru crew. Then into DI I went to get the screen we’ve needed for our desktop computer. I had to insist that I brought the suitcase with me at the checkout desk, as somehow they hadn’t noticed me rolling it in, and then I got back on the bus and reached home…

Where more clutter was waiting.

‘Tis a little discouraging.

So, my challenge to you and me this week is to fill another box of stuff AND get it out the door! Persistence will get us closer to being unburdened by the unnecessary amount of stuff that crowds out our lives. One day my home will have a place for everything and space to spare, instead of stacked and stuffed belongings. The change will be slow, but slow and steady wins the race.