Isn’t that an exciting shot?! Maybe not to anyone else, but to me it’s a sign that sloooowwwwwlllllllyyyyyy I’m displacing all the stuff I have in my home with….well, with nothing. Empty. Zero space. Openness. Those crates, and 6 more down in the basement, were all full just yesterday. And today? Nothing. Everything that was in them before, unused and mostly forgotten, have found homes where they will be used. This makes me feel good.
In the almost 2 weeks I’ve been doing this…purging, cleaning, organizing, selling…I haven’t dared pause and look around, because all I saw were just piles and piles of things covering every square foot of my house. All the things hidden away in the dark spaces in my house, in cabinets, closets, drawers, and the basement, were suddenly out in the open. It all reminded me of how much I needed to get rid of in order to fit into an RV. It reminded me of how much I had collected since living in this house for 5 years…and how much I’m still holding on to in the 16 years I’ve been married. It reminded me that all my connections to these things from the past has kept me from living in the now. It was a bit discouraging and pretty disheartening.
But these empty boxes give me hope. The act of giving my stuff away hasn’t really made me feel any zen like emotion. But these crates full of nothing?! Seeing them stacked up without anything inside them makes me feel lighter. And really happy! Deep breath, people, stuff is starting to come together by going out!
My mantra lately? ‘Life is a tide; float on it. Go down with it and go up with it, but be detached. Then it is not difficult.” Prem Rawal
And maybe that's where the lightness comes from. All those crates are now full of nothing to attach to. And that feels good!
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Child's Play! 
Empty bins means room for new stuff.
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lol! This whole ordeal has made me not want to buy any more new stuff EVER.
OK – so, I’ve been following your blog for months, I found it on a link of a friend’s (Leah Burke) website. I feel creepy “stalking” your progress, so, here I am introducing myself. I homeschool 2 kids in WA (girl-12, boy-10), and am SO excited for your journey you are taking. I have fantasized about living in an RV before, but we took a different route, have a little acreage with horses on the way (not yet). We will be lucky to get away for a week once we get all the animals we want.
Do you mind if I vicariously enjoy living in an RV on a warm beach through you?
I love Leah š Our kids are close to your kids ages. When we take the RV up to Wa., let’s meet up! Acreage and animals sounds like a lovely dream as well š
Cheers ! That is what it really does. All these stuff keeps you from living in the now !
Good to see the empty boxes. Can you hear me sigh of relief . After all , you are getting to it Tiff. Keep on.
And you are alluring every one with those photos of the beach in the end.
Your internet friends including me are waiting impatiently and praying for you to reach there soon ! xo!
hi tiff , saw your horse on flicker. That is a great work !
Will you post some of Naturalist’s art work as well ?
thanks! And yes, I’m hoping to upload Naturalist’s and Sassy’s art š
Go Tiff – Go Tiff….
LOL !!!
I already separated and washed for selling and donating three times the amount of clothes that I am keeping!
I hear ya!
Good job Julie!!! I’m so excited were on this journey together, even if it’s on different continents š
Sent from my iPhone
o my gosh is that naturalist in the snow?! how did you convince her to do that!?
she’s up for anything creative and artsy! We didn’t stay out long, just a few minutes to take tons of shots š
Life is a tide — tis true. Row, row your boat. You’re doing great:)
Love, love this photo!
LOL. row row row your boat, indeed. š
anyway, congrats on your moving
I LOVE that you’re doing this and I also ready about your success selling 700 items at $1 each. I always have a box around to throw things in for donations. I live in NYC and having a garage sale doesn’t seem practical or doable.
I would love someone to give me a creative idea about how to sell lots of baskets of “stuff” in a city filled with apartment buildings and rulesfor not selling in lobbies & basements. Any ideas out there?
Thanks.