still paring down

i made some head way this weekend in my continuing effort to declutter. i got rid of about 7 shirts that i wear as pajamas or just around the apartment, and i threw out one old nightgown. i also got rid of an old pair of brown ankle boots that i no longer wear and an old pair of earrings. i'm going to try to bring my clothes over to donation bins a little at time, trying to look at it as a good way to burn some calories and get some exercise while it's still warm enough outside to do so. i don't have clothing donation bins near me, the ones i know of are about 10 blocks away from my apartment, a long way to travel while carrying heavy bags of clothes.

i've been re-reading 'the joy of less' by francine jay and also 'clutter busting' by brooks palmer, trying to identify some of the clutter that i still have that i did not notice during my first few purges. i want to go from being a wannabe minimalist to being an actual minimalist. hopefully i can get there.

i have reached my goal of having all my 'at home' clothes for all seasons in two of my dresser drawers, instead of having some spill over to my closet shelf. i want to get rid of more books, but that is really really difficult. i think i need to do what francine jay suggests and take all my books out of their normal location, to see them in a different context and feel the space that would result if i got rid of some. same thing can be done with the clothes i have left. i want versatile, high quality clothing that will last and that i can wear during all seasons.

i got to meditate twice this weekend, and write in my journal, and do laundry but of course i still feel like i didn't get enough done. i could've done some christmas shopping, but i'm planning to tackle that this week. i'm not good and making myself go out when i don't have to be anywhere, so it's easier to do things like christmas shop or exercise if i'm already out of the house (like during my lunch break at work).

my sleep was all over the place this weekend. i would nap during the day and then last night when i really needed to get to bed, i was too rested and couldn't sleep. it might also have had to do with some soda i was drinking a little too close to my bedtime. i can't wait to be on vacation when i can finally stay up late. hours around 1 or 2am are always my most productive. i always get more done if i know i don't have to get up early the next morning. staying up late is also fun because it’s actually quiet, and I can slow down my thoughts enough to write them down without interference, or read a really good book in total silence.