Lessons From a Garage Sale

Last week a friend of mine suggested we hold a Garage Sale over at her house. I immediately saw it as an opportunity to declutter my garage and basement.

The temperature was a sweltering 95° outside when I climbed the stairs to the attic of my garage. It was like walking into an oven!

Plastic boxes are lined up on all sides of my attic. Quickly I went through each one with an eagle eye hunting items for The Sale.

Box lids were quickly taken off. Keep—Don’t Keep.  Keep—Don’t Keep.  Box lids were quickly snapped back on.

Piles of clothes plucked from their boxes were carried back down the attic stairs to the Garage Sale Pile. Even a small Christmas tree with its lights still on it, fell victim to my Garage Sale frenzy.

The basement area was next. With focus and sheer determination I rummaged through bags that held treasures long-forgotten. My Garage Sale pile grew larger.

The day of the sale came. Items were piled on long tables. Clothes that hadn’t been worn for several years hung on hangers for the world to see.

People came. People went. The pile of junk on the tables grew smaller. The remaining items not sold were bagged, boxed, and dropped off at Goodwill.

There’s more room now in my attic and basement. The entire space has enlarged with the clutter gone.

Here are my lessons learned:

• There’s a strong connection between the clutter in my house and the clutter in my mind. As I release the clutter, I open up the space for new things to enter.

• It’s easy to get distracted when you are in the process of decluttering. Be vigilant at getting rid of the things that no longer serve you. How about getting rid of negative thinking? Ego? Television? Mindless novels?

• Dig deep. Ask several people who know you well what qualities are NOT servinging you. Procrastination? Indecisiveness? Resentment?  What qualities ARE  serving you?  Focus on these!

• “Garage Sales” can occur at any time of the year. Weather does NOT matter when you are determined to release the things holding you back.

• There is great satisfaction in releasing the past, especially the painful memories. Every item of clothing, every DVD, and every trinket has a story connected to it. What is the story that you’ve made up about it?  Each thing in your life has brought you to this point. Turn the page and begin a new chapter.

• Only crazy people have a Garage Sale in mid-August. Wise people declutter all year long!

Margi Starr

A mentor with a servant’s heart

937-360-9203

http://margistarr.com