They’re summer staples, as popular as vanilla ice cream cones, hammocks and street fairs. Makeshift signs nailed to neighborhood trees and wooden stakes on front lawns.
Tag sales, yard sales and garage sales are magnetic draws for curious cheapskates rummaging for good finds among dusty chotchkies.
It was my time to “kick some things to the curb.” No more procrastination. In lieu of a tedious tag sale, I happily parted ways with five jumbo garbage bags full of paraphernalia and carted it off to the Goodwill.
I didn’t look back. Not an easy task, because I am uber-nostalgic.
Boys II Men’s emotional ballad says it best, “It’s so hard to say goodbye to yesterday.”
Everything, in my life, means something. But, come on now, how many ceramic turkey platters do I really need?
“I was on a spit-fire mission to declutter my home and live a less-is-more lifestyle.”
If I no longer loved, used or needed the items, they were evicted. The stash included lamps, wall mirrors, teapots, draperies, retro winter coats and several size 10 dresses that were holed up in my closet for decades as an incentive to lose weight.
Well, I lost that battle. Reverse psychology was an epic fail. It was time to soothe my ego, face the truth and move on. The big purge made the house feel lighter and more organized.
“Wouldn’t it be great if we could ditch all the crap rolling around in our heads, much like a tag sale or Goodwill run?”
Sadly, too many of us hold onto those self-torturous inside voices, as if we were clutching a winning million-dollar Powerball lottery ticket to our chests. We sequester junk that kills our spirits.
Mental squatters inject our thoughts with toxic serum, reinforcing our worst fears and insecurities about being good enough or smart enough or anything enough. They remind us of our vulnerabilities and push buttons to keep us locked and loaded in stagnation.
It’s no wonder you are rattled and anxious and feel as if you are going nowhere fast. Self-doubt and self-deprecation bullies your soul. And, extinguishes your inner fire.
“We are often our worst enemies, talking ourselves out of fresh starts before we even get on the launch pad.”
And, while you are at it, dump those friends or family who weigh you down with their jealousy and anemic support. You know who they are!
Stop seeking approval from people whose own lives are a hot mess! Surround yourself with those who support your dreams. It doesn’t have to be an entourage. That’s okay. If you have one or two folks, you are doing pretty good.
Don’t allow fear to hold you hostage. Unleash your passion!!
The time is now!
One step at a time.
One day at a time.
“So what, if you fall or make mistakes along the journey. Get back up. No one is perfect.”
Remove “I can’t,” from your vocabulary.
Yes! You CAN!
Believe in yourself.
Celebrate the wisdom and courage within.
Sitting here on my sofa with my “broken self” (recovering from broken ankle/surgery), leg elevated on 2 pillows, cup of tea, and reading Very Viv stories.
This story encourages/reminds me to look up and forward, not only physically but mentally. I have way more to be thankful for than to be sorry about.
“stop feeling sorry for yourself girl” “I’m not perfect, but I’m perfect enough”
I am so sorry you had to go through this, but, sometimes we have to be forced to sit down to evaluate things. I know it’s been a time of reflection, in addition to eating all kinds of good things. Yes, you are ”perfect enough.”
Thank you for imparting those words of wisdom. VeryViv is positive, motivating and inspiring. I am eager to read more….more… 😀
Hey Sis. Thanks for your kind words and support. I have more, more, more to write about. lol