Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Another Purge

A few months ago, I wrote a blog about my beloved socks and how difficult it was for me to part with things that hold sentimental value. At the time, I had no clue that that was just the beginning of what God was doing in my heart regarding the discipline of simplicity...

This last month, I MAJORLY purged my "closet". I'm talking about 4 garbage bags worth of my clothing! (Patting my own back). Currently, I can get ALMOST all of my clothing items into three small suitcases!!

Today, I called the airline we are flying home with, and I am allowed to check 2-23 kilo bags. (that's about 100 pounds total). To check an additional bag, regardless of the weight, is $160!! Through the post, I can mail 10 kilo's (22 pounds) for about $100. In other words, IT IS REALLY EXPENSIVE TO GET MY JUNK TO AMERICA!!

Obviously, I'm not excited about paying that much to keep my belongings, especially considering that my clothes aren't worth that much anyways! (They're practically all used clothing, bought from the Gabi)

So, considering that we have books, dvd's, knick-knacks, photo albums, (guitar??) etc. that should take a priority, it looks like it's time for ANOTHER purge!!

Basically, I have to limit all of my earthly belongings (on this side of the world anyways) into 120 pounds (I get 20 pounds to carry on).

Oh dear readers (all 5 of you), is this difficult for anybody else??! Send me your words of wisdom!!

5 comments:

lady2beetle said...

Wow! You are posting faster than I can comment! And I will comment. Because I want you to keep posting. -.-

Anyway, yes. The Purge.

I had a conversation with a friend the other day about how I sometimes wonder if I'm not a good enough Christian because I fear that I would never be able to up and leave all of my possessions to go where God leads me. I'm not a clothes addict, myself, but there are plent of other "toys" that I feel attached to. And books. Don't get me started on books. And then there's my two babies, both of the feline persuasion.

I once thought about doing some traveling with the Peace Corp. In the end, I decided against it, because I would never be able to leave my cats, not even if it was just for a year and they were being cared for by my parents. I couldn't do it. Then again, I have to be honest with myself and admit that I was also was a little afraid that I'd be bored out of my mind if I left behind my laptop, games, books and internet.

So, you have my understanding and my sympathy and my respect and my envy. Because I could never do what you have done.

Kristal Buckner said...

Lady2beetle...I am assuming that you are Jennifer Stuart? Thanks for the encouragement! AND I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT I FORGOT TO MENTION THAT I HAVE TO SAY GOODBYE TO MY KITTIES!! This is going to be so difficult!

Katie B said...

That just mean its time for shopping when you get home!

Kristal Buckner said...

Yes Katie, the temptation to buy new clothes does motivate me to get rid of the old ones! Now...to find the money to buy some!

(thank you e-bay for cheap, "lots of" clothing!)

ajplays said...

It will be so much fun to go through your clothing lots with you when you get home!

I think your insight about WHY you were hanging on to things is a good one... now that you know it's sentimentality, it should be easier... right?

PS The artist way has suggested getting rid of items of clothing three time in six weeks... and I have totally resisted doing so...because I'm at a place where pretty much everything is rotation. But you have inspired me. I'm going to get rid of some stuff...

WV: Glympre- the sound your clothes make as you become less glamourous.