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1 comes in, 1 goes out

I try to maintain the home keeping rule of “For every thing brought into your home something must go out.” For example: get a new shirt, get rid of an old shirt. Get a new knick-knack, get rid of an old knick-knack.
Because of this rule I keep a box tucked back in the laundry room for “stuff going local Free Store”. Now some things are just way too used to put in that box and so I do one of 2 things: throw it out (like underwear- you cannot reuse old underwear!), keep what I can reuse (like buttons off a ripped shirt or cut up a pretty stained shirt for a sewing project for Maiden) and try to think of a possible different use for it (towels become rags, toys for the sandbox etc.).
I have worked to get past the guilt of throwing some thing away. And have learned to put around me in my home only those things I love.
I have also found that it takes a lot less time to keep our home. Less clothes to wash and take up space with more dressers, hangers etc. less to dust without all those knick-knacks. Less toys to step on or vacuum up.
My only wish is that I could be more ruthless with our school and art supplies- that is my sink hole- I just can't seem to throw or give any of that away!
Side note: There were at least 3 boxes labeled Christmas that I didn't even drag up from the basement this year. That is something else that needs to be gone through! I must admit taking down the decorations doesn't bring me the same thrill as putting them up and the thought of going thru boxes that I didn't even touch? Ugh.

Newbie

4:22 PM, 2006-Dec-29 .. Posted by JoyfulMommy

I'm new to HSteadBlogger. I was browsing and came across yours, very informative and cute! I look forward to reading more about you!

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5:36 PM, 2006-Dec-29 .. Posted by Kitty

I try to live by the same rule, if we wouldn't, we would be over run with things, lol
Kitty

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6:55 PM, 2006-Dec-29 .. Posted by kimmie

if we didnt throw out as we go, we'd not have room to breathe Im afraid.........

its a good rule to have, thanks for posting this.

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5:03 PM, 2006-Dec-31 .. Posted by Lynne

I've never thought of it that way. That is a really good rule...I am just no where near as organized as you are. We are still trying to organize/clean out our basement.