The following is a guest post from regular contributor, Morgan from Morganize with Me.
Over the years I have learned there are several things in my life I truly need to say goodbye to, once and for all. Are you ready for my reality check?
Sometimes it is good to say goodbye.
Goodbye matching.
I used to think having things match really mattered. I definitely needed a complete set of eight coordinating mugs and of course they shouldn’t have any chips or cracks in them. My dishes should also be a complete matched set. The list went on and on. I’m not suggesting you ditch your matching sets and coordinating covers, but I am encouraging you to keep things simple.
For example, I’ve added to my Dansk white dinner dishes (as we seem to have about half of them missing after almost 20 years of marriage and something like nine moves) with an inexpensive Cost Plus set of white dishes that easily complements the original set. I almost find it refreshing that I don’t have to worry if one breaks. Now I’ve got extras and they all go together in a more organic real life sense.
Goodbye fancy dinners.
When I whip up a cheesy pasta casserole for dinner, on the fly I might add, I often get more rave reviews than when I’ve spent hours cooking up a new concoction. Most nights (especially weeknights) are busy for us, so I seek to create more calm in my home life by cooking up super simple dinners. Then on weekends, or when I have a day or an evening with more time for creativity, I’ll try a new recipe or grab one of my more complicated recipes.
Goodbye clear counters and floors.
In truth I like clear counters and floors, however I have three kiddos who can often be pretty creative in how and where they place their “things.” When I stumble over a pair of Converse high tops or find myself swooping up lunch boxes off of the entry way table, I am reminded of a statement I heard from one of the moms on one of the Real Housewives TV shows (don’t judge).
The mother was talking about how when she looks at the trails of backpacks and shoes she reminds herself that one day she will miss all of the trails. This statement hit home for me.
One day I will miss the clutter trails, because their clutter trails represent their lives, and for this short time I get to share in my children’s lives in a close-knit way. This season won’t last forever so I choose to be grateful (accept the cluttered counters and floors) and continue to sweep up the clutter with as much cheer as I can muster!
Goodbye volunteering.
At this point you may be thinking I’ve lost my marbles. I haven’t, I promise. This is just a gentle reminder that you don’t need to volunteer (for everything). Is volunteering a good idea? Yes!!! But if you are like me and have found yourself volunteering for something and then kicking yourself later, remind yourself of this, if a commitment isn’t heart-felt then that is usually felt.
Good bye souvenirs.
Living overseas the past three years and squeezing in more travel than we ever thought was possible, we have not only acquired a new appreciation for Europe and all of its beauty, we have also acquired an abundance of souvenirs. We now have 63 snow globes, 28 Starbucks mugs (country specific of course), 42 pieces of unframed artwork, vases and jewelry from Africa (thanks honey), and more pottery than one will ever need. We said we were buying the pottery for gifts, obviously. (Gift shopping is the ultimate justification.)
While trinkets and souvenirs have their place, I’m here to say it – just say no. The true memories are more often than not, the actual memories. The actual memories, like the sun on your face, the view from the top or the smell of the fabulous restaurant. Take a picture yes, but think twice before you buy (another) souvenir.
How about you? What is your reality check? What do you need to say goodbye to? Share with me! Sometimes it is good to say goodbye.
Morgan is the energetic and motivated, but also realistic girl, behind Morganize with Me. She is a list lover, fitness fan, and chaos controller! Her mission is to share tried and true techniques that she hopes will encourage her readers and clients as they focus on their health and homes. Join one of her Challenges and be sure to check out her Shop full of fabulous organizing printables!
Jessica [Havok] says
Life is too short to worry about matching dishes! We have a set of dishes, so to speak, but it’s ancient and not at all what we would like. But, it’s enough, so we keep it. Cups, though? There are a million types of cuts in our cupboard – and half the fun is picking out which one to use!
Souvenirs are the kind of thing we’ve been tricked into thinking we need – we need a trinket to remember that we went on a trip! It’s important! Except, that’s not how remembering things works! Plus, you can take photos instead, print them, hang them up, and see them daily versus a trinket that doesn’t fit in with the rest of your house or shelf or whatever. 🙂
Crystal Granite says
My family and I flatten pennies in those souviner making machines whenever we take a trip or vacation. One of these days I’ll get around to putting them in a shadow box or something but for now they go in my jewelry box.
Margot says
I’ve seen these made into a charm bracelet – very cool!
Cindy says
When on vacation I try to find a Christmas ornament or trinket that I can hang on the tree. This way, as we hang the ornaments, we reminisce about when and were we got each of them. Now…the Starbucks mugs are my new way of having a ‘matching’ set with each one slightly different. Rule is, I have to get them, I don’t want someone else to go there and bring them back!
Laura Wittmann says
I do this too with Christmas ornaments! I love looking back at the places we’ve been as I hang them on the tree 🙂
Daria says
Completely brilliant post! Learning to say goodbye gives us so much more peace in our lives. I could write a whole post (and probably will someday) about saying goodbye to volunteering. I have been what you would call a professional volunteer. It is so wise of you to learn that you don’t have to say yes to everything. Signed, the woman who just handed over my two year booster president position!
Becky L says
Good thoughts on many things, including stop buying sovenirs. I’m guilty of that, especially mugs. I try to buy a tshirt to wear and maybe a book, usually more than likely photos of our trip which I have on my sd card. I have so many mugs from living in England for 2 years in the military that I don’t know what to do. Not sure if I want to take them to a thrift store. Keeping counter tops are hard to keep clear and I keep on cleaning them off of items I don’t need and keep receipts are gone from there as well. I have too much stuff and I can live without alot of it.
Margot says
It may take you a long time to miss those trails of backpacks. My youngest is 23 and still leaves a trail. It isn’t backpacks anymore – just stuff – his keys, his wallet, his shoes, belts, gym bags . . . The older they get, the harder it is to corral their stuff.