Sunday 17 May 2009

The Big Purge

Part of the Big Move has necessitated clearing our attic and generally decluttering. It's been an exhilarating experience. We're not big hoarders but we had accumulated an amount of possessions over the past twenty years or so. "Never again" has become our motto. You should see the space! More than that, you should see the stuff we threw out (in fact we donated it to the local children's hospice shop where it's already raised several thousands for a great cause). Highlights from the Big Purge:

  • Autographed pointe shoes from the Royal Ballet (prima ballerina, Viviana Durante's)
  • A glorious designer hat by Stephen Jones (about which I wrote a short story, The Pheasant Feather Hat)
  • Silk shirts from Liberty's
  • Velvet-collared covert coats from Jermyn Street
  • Books, including some first editions (these hurt the most but needs must).

It feels good to be free of these things. It's liberating, and empowering. Like the high ceilings in our new Georgian pad, I feel my life opening up. Expansive, is the word. There's more space and light in this new life. We intend to fill it with experiences rather than things. We are done with things. Never again.

8 comments:

Nik Perring said...

Hurrah!

Anonymous said...

"Never again" is all well and good, but with attic-treasures like that, what option is there but to hoard? *g* Your new house sounds lovely. Best of luck with the move!

Gay Degani said...

Ballet shoes. Oh.

Sarah Hilary said...

Thanks, Nik!

Sarah Hilary said...

Thanks, Bugiarda!

Sarah Hilary said...

Yes, ballet shoes, Gay. We contributed to a Pointe Shoe appeal and received the signed shoes as a Thank You. The hospice is going to try and auction them to raise funds.

Douglas Bruton said...

Yes, I'd find the books hard to give away... the rest is just, as you say, clutter. Hats off to you... (sic!)

D

Sarah Hilary said...

Thanks, Douglas, it does feel good.