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At Downsizing Diva, one of the best parts of our work is helping people figure out what is really important and what is just stuff.
In the process of decision-making, we hear lots of wonderful stories about family and events that are connected to the stuff. Letting go of items that have been a part of our lives for longer than we can remember isn't always easy. That's why people often use the word, "overwhelmed" when they think about downsizing. However, whether we hold on to an item or pass it along, we can continue to treasure the memories associated with it.
This "Howdy Doody ad" has been posted on my bulletin board for ages. It's vintage, that's for sure! Just the other day, I looked at it more closely and, as I read it, long-forgotten memories came flooding back. Suddenly, I was there, watching "Howdy Doody" and thinking about making marshmallow squares with my Mum. All this from an old magazine ad -- powerful!
Today, I was at a gas station and saw a lady in front of me wearing a fabulous purple summer dress. Well, before I could blink, I was back on vacation in Hawaii wearing a purple batik dress that I had long forgotten about. My best friend, Jane bought the same dress - in turquoise!
That's all it takes - a prompt, like an ad, a song, a smell or a glimpse of something familiar - and we can be transported back to another time and place.
A side benefit of downsizing can be what you do about the memories that are generated. Just taking this short walk down memory lane prompted a phone call to my Mum to talk about "Howdy Doody" and Rice Krispie squares and another call to Jane, my best friend since Kindergarten, to talk about...whatever!
Downsizing + memories = connections!
Some people think "downsizing" is a bad thing; we see the good side of downsizing. Downsizing doesn't mean "doing without", it means keeping things that give you joy and letting go of the rest.
Downsizing is really...all about YOU! |
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DIVA Challenge for JULY
- Select one item in your home.
- Look at it -- as if you are seeing it for the very first time.
- Does it bring you joy?
- If it does, place it somewhere where you see it all the time.
- If it does NOT, pass it along and maybe it will bring joy to its new owner!
- Repeat Steps 1-5.
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In a salute to Canada Day, this month's quote is from well-loved Canadian author, Lucy Maud Montgomery:
"Nothing is ever really lost to us
as long as we remember it."
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