To Be Free: The Art of Purging

By Stacie Johnson

Every time we moved for medical school, I purged. I expunged items from the deepest, darkest parts of the closets. You know, your old high school shirt with holes or maybe some knickknack that is half broken or even better, a birthday gift that wasn’t too thoughtful? I’d find two black bags; one for Goodwill, one for trash and then a Tupperware bin to keep those “sacred” items. Given we have moved five times in four years, it seems that I have had several opportunities to get rid of all those unwanted things laying around. Each move allowed for another layer of purging, or so I thought.

This year we matched into a residency that will last for four years. We will finally be in one place for a long time, considering our recent history, so we bought a home and began settling in. As I began unpacking I realized that my process of eliminating excess needed some refinement.

Now I know everyone has a “thing” that they love. You know, that one item that you will spend a bit more on or can’t wait until the newest version comes out? For me, I just can’t have enough bags. I guess I thought those were “sacred” items that deserved to be saved because you think you may need them one day. I had every type and size of bag: bags you could fit a bracelet into and bags big enough to tote a person in…I had them all and in multiples. So, after having a small meltdown over my materialistic obsession and inability to part with items, I had a realization that I could actually make some money, just enough to fill that “medical school to residency, you have no money” gap. I turned to Facebook, took pictures and posted prices on local mom groups. The bags began selling as fast as I could post and it was the easiest revenue I have made.

Unfortunately, my Tupperware containers of so-called “sacred” things were larger than I remembered. My containers ended up consuming half of our basement. The selling of bags turned into the selling of any and all items that weren’t currently being used. Why on earth did I schlep around half a house of boxes half way across the country? Maybe it was the residency, the fresh start or the new house, but either way I was ready and willing to empty as many boxes as I could as fast as I could.

My transactions developed into an addiction. At one point I remember walking into my bedroom and inspecting it with “seller” eyes, everything was fair game for merchandising. When I began picking through my husbands’ clothes, I realized maybe I was taking it a bit too far. Why was it so intoxicating? Was it the fast cash? Or, was it the seamless ability to post and get rid of things quickly?

At first I thought it was the influx of money. The money really did help with move-in necessities in a time there was not any income. And then I realized the 10 to 20 dollars I was making was helping, but not making me a millionaire. Perhaps it was the fun of posting pictures and getting an almost instantaneous response. Then, I realized it was neither.

Selling items from my basement became a fixation because it was an emotional release. It was so freeing to let things go. Have you ever heard of runner’s high? It is the feeling of euphoria that occurs and leaves you wanting more. The same feeling occurred when I purged box after box. I realized I was holding on to so many items for a future time. You know, the items that you think, “Oh, I should keep this because I might need it some day”? Often, those days never come or when it finally does you actually forget you have the item or you go and buy a better version of it.

Items are really made to be loved, to be cherished and to be used. Why keep your favorite Coach purse that you spent hundreds of dollars on in your closet for “special occasions”? How do you know when your simple family dinner out may be your last “special occasion”? How about those extra fancy shoes that you wear so infrequently that they hurt when you actually do?

Where would I put all that stuff if I didn’t purge? All of those items would only fit in boxes, or I would have tried to find a spot for them on top of my already full closets of items used more regularly. Somehow I would have reasoned that the things were important even though I haven’t seen or used them in months or years. Trying to create a space for the items would have made an already full house overflowing and stressful.

Every item in our homes not only should be used with love, but also should have their very own home. If you know where something belongs, you know it will get used. Why have a junk drawer if you don’t know what is in it? Why spend precious time searching for things?

Do you have a set of china? When was the last time you used it? If it was a holiday ago or if you can’t even recall, why have the china? China is to be used, eaten off, accidentally broken and then telling the story about why you are one-cup short for generations. China is meant to create memories. If you don’t want to sell your items, gather them and donate to Goodwill.

Now, go take on a drawer or conquer a closet. Keep the things you love and sell or donate the things you just keep “in case”. Be happy with every object you own and give them their own home…life will become easier one purge at a time.

Stacie Johnson is a stay-at-home mom of two active young boys and wife to Tim, a PGY-1 OB/GYN resident. Stacie has a bachelor’s degree in communication and a master’s degree in education.  As a former teacher, Stacie is passionate about being a lifelong learner and currently homeschools both of her children. In between refilling her coffee maker multiple times a day she enjoys writing, creating photo books and exercising.