Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Churning, Lusting, Heaving and Tackling

So what is CHURNING?
Churning: the term for the act of moving one item to another without discarding any item.

Apparently that's what I do!
Who knew!
I picked up this book while waiting to check out at the library.
 
What a relief, I am NOT a hoarder.
But I'm a collector with hoarding tendencies.
Or that's what the book says.
I could see that.
Since my spare bedroom and basement is full of Stuff.
and then I've been LUSTING.....
Yep, I have House Lust.
I'm obsessed with looking at real estate listings of houses out of my price range.
Now I don't look at REALLY expensive homes,
Nope. just the ones that almost seem possible but are not.
 
and WHY do I do that?
I think I have it figured out.
Because I'm tired of Churning and never getting anything accomplished.
Oh sure, I do a painting here and there.
A load of metal to the junk yard.
I wonder if I had one of those houses, would I fill that up too?
I know several people who can't even parked their cars in their garage because it's full of stuff.
Back to the book.
The great thing about the book is that it is NOT just about organizing.
It's about the WHY?
Why do I drag home Stuff and
Why can't I get rid of Stuff.
There are many different types of people with different levels.
The worst of "hoarding" down to lesser "collecting" problems.
All with different reasons.
After a lot of self examination, I think I know what started the problem originally for me and why,
but I won't bore you with the details.
and I'm pretty sure why I collect this stuff NOW.
For ME, it's money. or lack of.
So if it's free, I gotta have it, right?
and if it's a bargain, I need to get it. To save money.
Example: I have bought several gallons at different times of mis-tinted paint for $5.00 each.
What a bargain!
Not really. Not when none are really quite the color that I want.
Yep, Penny Wise and Pound Foolish,
and I'm left with several gallons of paint.
Anyway....the Good News?
This book clicked something in my brain.
Not only has it helped my to figure out the WHY,
it's helped me figure out HOW to let go.
I've gone through all my clothes and bagged up things like crazy.
I'm HEAVING chairs and lamps and things out into the van and I'm dropping the whole shebang off at the back door of Goodwill and not going around and into the Front Door.
That's one of the secrets.
Not to just clear the Stuff out, but also not to drag more Stuff home again.
I've made another pile of metal and taking it this week down to the Recycling Center.
Suddenly my house seems bigger!
Maybe I don't NEED a new home!
?
So, if you have a problem with too much Stuff, I recommend this book.
Maybe it will help you too.
I'm excited and I feel like I can breathe.
Yep, I'm getting rid of stuff!
and then I'm TACKLING the TO-Do list of fixing up my house.
 



7 comments:

Mary Helen-Art Saves Lives said...

I think....no I know I need this book. Churning...I did not even know there was a definition for this word ...except for making butter. Peace and good luck! Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

sassypackrat said...

I should read this book. I have hoarder tendencies too. I have got rid of most of them as I've gotten rid of stuff. But I have this one closet packed to the rafters that I avoid dealing with...so yeah I have a way to go yet.

Good for you on your breakthrough! You'll be a much happier person. ;0)

barbandemily said...

Good for you! I so identify with what you are saying but you've taken it to the next level! You are doing something about it!

Mary Helen-Art Saves Lives said...

I forgot to say how much I love your little pig...he or she is smiling !!! Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

yoborobo said...

I love the word churning! Maybe we'll make butter. :)
I am pretty good about getting rid of stuff, and I've cut waaaay down on the thrift shopping. Baby steps, right? You're doing great! xo

Jan said...

I'm coveting the house next door which is going up for sale. It is 800 square feet! I love it! I'd be forced to downsize! yeah right. Dream on. I have been continuing my purge and took a van load of stuff to the recycle center, still have more stuff to take to the thrift store and recycle. Maybe i shouldn't go to the town wide garage sale place this weekend? But one never knows what one might find, it could be something I didn't know i need but find I really really need it now! sheesh, what a dilemma.
You keep up the good work!

Anonymous said...

The only thing I never throw away is documents that I think I might need in the future, so far I've never needed any of them :-) :-) :-)
I realize that I'm churning as well :-) Well I can live with that :-)

Have a great day!
Christer.