You know the saying, “Another man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” That might be true, but so is this phrase, “Another teacher’s trash is huge weight off their shoulders!”
I finally did it! I discarded about 10 trash bags of teaching materials (junk…fine I said it) that I had been hoarding since the beginning of my teaching career.
My yearly organization came full circle a few days ago. Before I could enjoy my summer vacation, my apartment needed some TLC…a lot of it. The agreement was simple: reorganize the array of teaching tubs stored in my apartment and clean out my cabinets and closets. A process that takes an easy leisure 24-48 hours. What I didn’t expect was that I’d mount trash bag after trash bag.
I’m a recovering hoarder. My hoarding consisted of teaching items dating back to 6 years ago. No, I’m not taking about student work or pictures. I’m taking about the pool noodles I used for a beach day in your classroom during your second year of teaching (4+ years ago) that have since survived two U-Haul moves and otherwise go unnoticed. Yep, that was me. Guilty.
But something washed over me this time after sending the embarrassing before picture to a fellow teacher: I don’t need all those teaching items anymore. A few months ago, I trashed all the empty food boxes I gathered I thought I’d use for a cooking classroom transformation that has never happened. If I receive it, my brain typically wants to find a way to use it in the classroom, rather than for its other purpose: trash. I looked at the tubs and sporadically decided, I didn’t need all of them anymore. That was a good first step.
The more I started reorganizing bin after bin, the more I realized what I use yearly and what hasn’t been touched in ages. I made the decision to trash and donate the items that weren’t necessary anymore. It took a little longer than my younger purge. I was more strategic with what I was storing outside and inside, and needed stay or say goodbye to.
To be honest, a year ago, I wouldn’t have trashed anything (hints why I still had the items in the first place). Saying goodbye to items that you had fond memories with is hard, but taking pictures keep the memories alive. The weirdest part, that wasn’t my plan in the first place. The more I added to trash bag or donation piles, the happier I felt.
Looking at my apartment now, it feels lighter and breathable. The sun shines a bit brighter, the carpet looks better, and I feel lighter! My apartment normally is very organized, but this time just feels different. I feel happier and content!
Taking out the trash isn’t ever fun. Sometimes it accumulates for days, weeks, months, or years. Maybe its materialist items that you’ve been holding onto for years that lay waste in your garage. Or it might be a friend that you’re no longer interested in talking to. I promise you; you won’t miss that item, friend, or greasy desire as much as you think you will. Whenever the time is right, grab a bag or click the unfriend button and don’t miss your opportunity to get rid of your trash because you know deep down in the mounting pile it’s necessary for a better you!
