Minimalizing, Round Two!
Last night I began my journey into minimalism. We will be moving into our new home in a month so it’s time to begin tossing. We’ve had boxes in attics for YEARS, mostly mine. My old school books and notes. I was a Biology major and I loved college, so going through everything last night was tough. I really didn’t want to part with some of it. Chemistry wasn’t too hard to let go of, lol, but Zoology, Cell Bio, all my Bio classes, were tough. I had a particular fondness for one instructor at Valencia Community College in Orlando, Mr. Myers, such a bio nerd. We took some really cool expeditions with his classes, there where three he taught. I remember stopping on side roads, being in muck up to our thighs holding water spiders and other swamp critters. It’s hard to believe I new all that I did back then, my grades always high. I loved it! And my notes, impeccable. While at UNLV I even was hired by the school to copy my notes for those who were handicap and unable to do so for themselves. So to say the least, I’m a bit attached to my notes, lol. But, I was strong and threw most into the paper recycle bin, saving the binders for my kids to use. The books will be sold or donated, of course I’m keeping Silent Spring by Rachel Carson, wouldn’t be a good environmentalist without it.
During this cleanse I often pulled strength from The Joy of Less by Francine Jay. She talks about how these notes, books, degrees, etc. don’t define you. You don’t need them as a reminder of what you once accomplished. These things have all helped to mold me into the person I am today.
It’s been an interesting journey going through all of these old books and papers, so many subjects! Some I loved, some I hated. I remember the Philosophy class I took at UCF about Religion and the Environment, now that was a great class, and then there is the nine months of massage classes I took to get certified when we lived out in Vegas. All the Eastern Medicine, herbal books I liked to study in my own time.
This is only the beginning, sigh.
Filed Under: Earth LOVE, Life LOVE, More LOVE
