I’ve been in a purging mood lately. Sometimes I’m great at it and it’s easy for me to let go of things – other times, it’s harder for me. The thoughts that run through my mind, “I may need this”, “This is something I’m emotionally tied to”, “I paid good money for this”…often cloud my judgement on whether I should keep something or not.
I love the book Essentialism and I’m re-reading it right now and I read something the other night that I couldn’t help but underline twice, “The killer question: “If I didn’t already own this, how much would I spend to buy it?” I love that idea as I’m on a purging spree. And the truth is, most of the times I wouldn’t rebuy it. Which of course begs the question, then why am I hanging on to it.
My purging has been contagious and I found Steve combing through his own closet to fill a trash bag for donations. He came to me and revealed he was finally ready to part with something he’s had for so many years: A hat.
Not just any hat, but a hat that was given to him when we were first married and working at the resort in Zion National Park. Some executive had come up from Las Vegas and took a liking to Steve as he managed the recreation center. He gave him this hat from his company and it wasn’t that the hat was anything special but Steve wore it…for years…and years. And then it became a work hat and it become more disgusting each week he put it on his head. For years, I have purchased new hats for him so he could retire this beloved thing. But he wasn’t ready to part with it until now.
I know from my own experience, getting rid of things can be difficult. I know this was no small feat. But he did it – he ceremoniously tossed that thing in the trash can after many years of love (and sweat!).
