The sorting begins this weekend. And it very well may take me 18 months to do what I have planned. I have decided that I want to do this only once. (I hear the laughter already.)
One of the categories I have developed could end up as the "I-don't-want-to-think-about-it-now" category. I just need to be brutal in getting rid of things. After all, when I start trying to fit the remainder into my Escape for the trip to Mexico, I will be happy that I tossed or gave things away.
Here are the five categories I will try to use:
- Trash -- stacks of papers that were supposed to be memory books, old programs, Christmas cards for the past decade; all can go out right now -- lots of candidates
- Salvation Army -- anything that any of our rummage sales groups can use, nothing that is simply passing through on the way to the trash
- Gifts -- heirlooms from relatives, art work, valuable books that specific people can actually use -- and not accept grudgingly (no sense in providing fodder for others who need to fill their own Category #2)
- Keep for 18 months, then sort -- items I will need day-to-day; a month or two before moving, divide into the other four categories
- Take to Mexico -- this group should include only those things that I know I cannot buy in Mexico and that I cannot live without
The categories appear to be simple. But, as my favorite president once said: "They say the world has become too complex for simple answers. They are wrong. There are no easy answers, but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know is morally right." Translated: That means that I should have done this a long time ago -- whether or not I move to Mexico.
Several of you have also told me that I am really overanalyzing this process. I will concede that point. From here on, I will try to streamline the process.
Possessions -- prepare to meet your categories.
