This new year has been full of cleansing rituals and purging of STUFF. Nothing obscene or to throw up red flags on; plain old clean sweep.
Last weekend I spent the first day opening the pantry and realizing that I could not find anything I was looking for. Not sure what I was looking for but there was so much crap in there I was beside myself.
I got the garbage can, opened the door and started tossing. Looking at expiration dates was scary. I had cans with an expiration of 2008......seriously??! I know I have cleaned this out before.....maybe I read the date wrong but it was tossed. I found items, tastefully simple and Two Sisters (the partylite food line) that had NO EXPIRATION dates. That was really scary to me! Were there that many preservatives in there that could keep this on the shelf indefinitely?! YIKES! One box after another, one jar after another, one can after another found their way into the garbage can. When it was too full, the offending items sat on the floor. I tried to lift the bag out of the garbage can.......nope, it was not happening. I grabbed the box of garbage bags and started filling them to the point where I could carry them to the dumpster. 6, count 'em......6 bags were filled. 4 trips to the dumpster......and now I can see what is on the shelf. I know what is left behind is clean eating. It was one of many steps to lead myself to a healthier lifestyle.
Next I headed to the freezer. There was some containers of ......stuff! Was it broth that I made? I don't know....was it a soup I froze extra of? No clue.....there were bags of edamame that I know were at least 2 years old......out it went. The containers were all put in the sink and thawed; what did not melt went into the garbage. I know that the food left in the freezer all is marked with dates; it is clean food; it is refreshing to know nothing will have freezer burn as one of my intentions for this year is to challenge myself to use food in the pantry and freezer to cut the grocery bill down.
Lastly, I went into the fridge. This was not as scary as I do clean the fridge of the meat/cake regularly. Actually I don't get much meat/cake anymore. You ask what is meat/cake?! It is when you look at the food and ask......is this meat or cake?! I am not saying it was pristine....it was not BUT nothing melted in my hand when it was touched. Yes I did have a squash that was not looking healthy; there were onion skins all over the bottom drawer. Another bag was opened to toss anything that should not continue to live in the fridge. I found herbs purchased with a specific recipe in mind and maybe the recipe was made but the leftovers were not treated with kindness. They were left to die. I had a container of yogurt that I had no clue it was that old.......almost time for a birthday party! Away it went. When all was said and done, even the fridge was clean and organized.
My kitchen strategy is to make 1 pot of soup per week and then 1 or 2 recipes for additional meals. I love cooking and am not a big fan of eating out.....so it will be good for me to have some control over the preservatives that will enter my body. I made a fabulous chicken apple stew last week.....YUM. It is a keeper and will be part of the regular rotation. I had a list, it was followed to the T.....and I had great meals for myself, never feeling deprived or wanting for something. It was the first time in a long time I was not going from one spot to another in search of SOMETHING to graze on. Woot Woot!!
This morning I was on yet another mission to rid myself of STUFF. I was getting help in installing a new TV so I had to clean areas of my bedroom. All the clothes had to be put away. That was one heck of a mission!! Once it was finally complete I pulled out a drawer. The contents were ceremoniously deposited on the bed and the decision was made as to its worth.....keep or toss. The toss pile was divided into 2 sections......toss to the garbage or toss to the donation pile. There are items that will never be donated and each item of clothing was inspected. I do not take stained or items in bad shape to Salvation Army. Everyone deserves to have clothes that are respectable to be worn. One drawer after another had the same process......empty and sort. It was such a good feeling to have only what I want and need in the closet. I am 55 years young and had some items that for me, were no longer age appropriate. I am not a layering type person as I am ALWAYS warm. Someone will be getting some very nice pieces of clothing. I have 1 bin left to go through. That is on the agenda for the morning so I can say emphatically that my closet is clean and good FOR ME.
I am not a minimalist by any stretch of the imagination BUT I know I have clothes that have not been worn for a good long time. I have my work 'uniform' and I am not THAT social yet where I need or even desire all these articles of clothing. Next in the closet will be holiday decorations! I have my lovely niece who will absolutely love to take some of the seasonal decorations.....and I would want to believe that these items are finding a gentle, kind home. The most important thing is they are leaving my house.
What is the purpose of this post? I feel freed from the chains of STUFF. Food stuff......it does not have to be eaten to get rid of it; clothing stuff.....it does not have to be worn by me to be useful. The more I can let go, the more I can find the real me and feel centered/grounded/relief not to have all this STUFF weighing me down. I have enough in my life trying to do just that. Well, I am in control.....there is a new sheriff in town (or at least stronger than ever before) so beware!
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