It seems that lately a lot of people are talking about "cleansing" in the context of resetting their metabolism and to help them feel better. I don't know about you, but I really don't like the picture that pops (oops, I almost misspelled that as "poops!") into my head when I hear that phrase in connection to anything to do with a body.
HOWEVER, I love, love, LOVE, that phrase if it involves throwing out stuff! It is so liberating! All the mismatched gloves cluttering up my closet? GONE! Shampoo/condition/lotion/soaps from hotels? GONE! (how come they made it into my home in the first place?) Clothes that I haven't worn in over a year, old crafting projects, home decor that never made it back out after I put it away? If I haven't seen it or used it in over a year, it is GONZO, baby!
And one of the best parts about this type of cleansing? Finding someone who treasures my trove of junk. Giving it to them with many healthy and happy returns. My mom adores the silver trays and water pitchers that have not seen the light of day in 25 years (please mom, take them, sell them, shine them up and keep them...I don't care what you do with them, just take them out of my house!) My sister, Jackie, was ecstatic to add more "Willow Tree" figurines to her growing collection. Jody always needs extra "throw away" towels in her pottery making adventures. Kelsey and Covey will hopefully make a killing at a garage sale next week off of all of the "stuff" we are donating to their money making efforts.
I want to live lighter, and surround myself with the things that I truly love and find comfort in. Sometimes those things are fleeting, such as a whimsical Halloween decoration that makes me laugh. Sometimes they have sentimental value that no one else understands. Most of the time they are treasures we have picked up in our travels, favorite books I have read, a cozy blanket, a picture of the Savior. Now, if I can just get Steve to get rid of even a few of his MANY bicycle jerseys/shorts...